Over the last year, child care and early education businesses have adapted, continually re-inventing themselves in light of the ongoing healthcare crisis, recovering enrollments, staffing challenges, and rising costs. Early childhood educators have led the way by serving essential workers and by creating new innovations such as virtual classroom engagement tools and enhanced sanitation protocols, all while navigating the politics of school closings and vaccination protocols. While demand for enrollment is high, limitations are created by hiring issues, and further stressed by children’s behavioral challenges and developmental delays. 

Running on a parallel track to these challenges, child care leaders shared optimism for the future of the industry and promising plans for further growth.