The future of early childhood education in Mississippi hangs precariously in the balance as childcare centers struggle with dwindling resources and increasing financial strain. Kantrell Keyes, a dedicated childcare provider in Jackson, Mississippi, embodies this crisis, working 90-hour weeks and facing a monthly loss of $15,000 to keep her Agape Christian Academy World open. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a symptom of a larger systemic problem impacting families and educators across the state. The issue centers around the expiration of pandemic-era funding that significantly boosted access to affordable childcare.
The Impact of Lost Childcare Subsidies
Keyes’ situation began to deteriorate when nearly half of the 46 families utilizing her services lost eligibility for childcare vouchers – crucial financial assistance that makes quality care accessible. These vouchers, essentially coupons for childcare services, abruptly became unavailable for many, forcing ten families to withdraw their children and leaving another ten unable to fully cover tuition. Despite her tireless efforts, including taking on extra responsibilities like driving buses and creating lesson plans, Keyes fears the inevitable closure of her center. “I’ve been in this industry for almost 30 years and never dreamed I’d be exiting like this,” she lamented, highlighting the emotional toll of the financial instability.
The looming threat isn’t just personal for Keyes. The wider context reveals a significant waiting list. Across Mississippi, approximately 16,000 families are currently waiting for childcare vouchers, according to the Mississippi Department of Human Services. This waitlist grew substantially after the federal funding that supported these vouchers during the COVID-19 pandemic evaporated.
Federal Funding Cliff and its Consequences
During the pandemic, the federal government allocated $52 billion to states to bolster childcare programs, recognizing the essential role they played in enabling parents to work. Now that this funding has dried up, the stability it provided is rapidly disappearing. The repercussions are far-reaching. Parents are losing their jobs due to lack of care, children are experiencing inconsistent care arrangements, childcare workers are facing layoffs, providers struggle to meet expenses, and ultimately, centers are being forced to close. Advocates and industry leaders warn of a cascading effect if the situation isn’t addressed.
Carol Burnett, from the Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative, emphasized the severity of the issue: “This is a huge crisis for childcare centers and parents, and we are hearing from them every day. What this center (Agape) is experiencing, multiplied by a thousand, is actually happening in Mississippi right now.” This underscores the scale of the problem and the urgent need for intervention.
State Response and Remaining Challenges
The Mississippi legislature took a step towards addressing the crisis during the recent legislative session, allocating $15 million in state funds to the childcare voucher program. However, this amount falls significantly short of the $30 million requested by the Department of Human Services, leaving thousands of families stranded on the waiting list.
Mark Jones, Chief Communications Officer for the department, explained that they have resumed reviewing applications on the waiting list to reassess eligibility based on current income levels. This means some families who previously qualified may no longer do so, further complicating the situation.
The current financial landscape reveals a worrying shift in priorities. Instead of prioritizing early childhood education, the state is facing pressure to reallocate resources. During a September hearing, the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services was requested by committee members to seek funding for childcare. However, Bob Anderson, Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, requested the $15 million to cover administrative costs associated with new federal requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) following the passage of a large federal bill. This means the funds, even if approved, won’t directly benefit families needing affordable childcare.
The Long-Term Economic and Social Costs
The ramifications of inadequate childcare funding extend beyond individual families and centers. A study by the Century Foundation estimates that the loss of pandemic-era childcare funding will cost the nation $10.6 billion in lost economic activity.
Elliot Haspel, a nationally recognized childcare and family policy expert based in Colorado, points out that the United States already has the most expensive childcare system among developed countries. He attributes this to the lack of a comprehensive, publicly funded system similar to those in place for K-12 education. “We treat childcare in this country like a private commodity, like a gym or a restaurant, rather than a public good or social utility like public schools, fire departments, or roads,” Haspel stated. “Therefore, there’s very little public money in the system, and the economy doesn’t function without it.”
A Community Investment in the Future
Kantrell Keyes doesn’t view her work as merely babysitting; she sees herself as an educator shaping the lives of young children. Research consistently demonstrates that the first few years of life are critical for learning and development, making quality early childhood education a vital investment. “Ultimately, we are an early learning institution,” Keyes emphasized.
She’s taken extraordinary measures to keep her center afloat, foregoing her own salary and even considering taking on DoorDash deliveries to supplement the income. Despite the immense pressure, she remains committed to providing consistent, nurturing care to the children she serves. One mother, Jazmin Donerson, a single parent working towards becoming a medical assistant, shared how Keyes’ center was a lifeline, particularly after losing her apartment to a fire. “When I lost the voucher, it was very difficult to make the payments. If my daughter couldn’t come to this daycare, I wouldn’t have anyone to care for her. I wouldn’t be able to go to school and try to better our lives.”
Looking ahead, the future of Agape Christian Academy World, and countless other childcare facilities across Mississippi, remains uncertain. While Governor Tate Reeves has requested an additional $1 million to expand access to childcare for working families – proposing a tri-share model involving employers, employees, and the state – advocates argue it’s a small step in addressing a massive problem. Without a significant and sustained commitment from the state, the access to quality childcare will continue to erode, hindering economic growth and jeopardizing the well-being of Mississippi’s youngest citizens.
This story originally appeared in Mississippi Today and is distributed through a partnership with the Associated Press.
