The coronavirus epidemic has dramatically changed child care in Washington state, while raising clues about how to repair an inadequate system that has gotten much worse.
Child Care Aware Washington, a statewide referral agency, says COVID-19 has contributed to the closure of 1,303 child care programs statewide. This is catastrophic. Not having stable child care is a losing situation. The lack of social investment in child care and early education limits future school achievement for kids, as well as opportunities for mothers.
Some steps have mitigated the impact. ...