Child Care Staffing Survey Results

A new survey conducted by partners of the Start Strong PA Campaign quantifies staffing shortages in Pennsylvania child care programs.

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The survey— conducted between August 30, 2021 and September 8, 2021—  details the current child care staffing crisis in 1,163 Pennsylvania child care programs across 63 counties and its effects on working families’ ability to access care.

According to the survey:

  • Nearly 26,000 children currently sit on waiting lists.

  • More than 34,000 additional children could be served at respondents’ sites if they were fully staffed.

  • 92% of respondents reported staffing shortages.

  • 51% of respondents have closed at least one classroom.

According to responses from the 160 Allegheny County programs that took the survey:

  • 97% indicated they have a staffing shortage.

  • 5,034 children sit on waiting lists.

  • 315 classrooms have closed.

  • An additional 4,357 children could be served if all programs were fully staffed.

To learn more about they survey, visit the Start Strong PA website.

Heidi Winkler