Ohio parents struggle to find child care as some prepare to return to work in May
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — A big question for some Ohio parents now: who is going to take care of my kids?
There’s extra stress for many given that in-person class has been called off for the rest of the school year, and some parents are being told they will be back to work come May.
"On one hand, you don't want to lose your job. On the other hand, you don't want to die," said mom Alexis Hunninen.
Many Ohio families are trying to balance their kid's education and their own jobs.
"I don't know what we are going to do. I am already currently working and my boyfriend will be going back to work on the first and that is who stays at home with them now," she said about her school-aged kids.
The mom is searching for options. She said family is unable to watch the children at this time and the daycare center they use is closed currently.
"If something happens I can take vacation, but even still, that is like two weeks," she said.
ABC6/FOX28 talked to Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown.
She is putting out a call to the state for more guidance and soon.
"One thing I am still really looking to the state to discuss is that exact challenge of trying to begin to reopen the economy on May 1, but I don't know how parents are going to go back to work when they still have their kids at home," said Brown.
Brown said she's been working with Columbus Recreation and Parks on potential plans, especially because so many rely on recreation centers for food and safety.
"What we are trying to do is plan and get ready because while schools will be closed until the end of the year that last day of school in many ways is arbitrary," she said.
Many parents are turning to family, like one mom who spoke to ABC6/FOX28 who is relying on her father for help.
"He helps a lot with my kids. The baby is a little too much for him, so that is why she was in daycare, so that is going to be a task," said mom Taveisha Henderson.
If daycares do open, some parents have health concerns regarding whether it will be safe for children to attend.
"It is stressful," said Hunninen, "super, super stressful."
ABC6/FOX28 reached out to the governor’s team Tuesday who referenced Monday’s comments.
Gov. Mike DeWine tweeted that a call hasn't been made on daycare centers yet, writing that for the same reasons schools are closed for in-person learning, the state has worries about daycares.
The governor went on to write that if you need someone to watch your kids, that is a family call. He does worry about grandparents watching kids.
They are working on details and ABC6/FOX28 will continue to ask questions and share details.
