Preschool children sing before lunch at the iKids Childhood Enrichment Center, a child care provider in Benton, Nov. 28, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Abbey Cutrer)
FRANKFORT — Faith Lutheran Learning Center , a child care provider in Lexington, is already operating on a budget deficit.
And while the GOP budget that came out of the House Thursday does some good for child care, center director Charla Heersche said it’s not enough to keep her out of the red.
Charla Heersche (Photo provided)
COVID-era federal dollars are running out, as the Lantern previously reported. Without state help, Kentucky could lose more than a fifth of its child care providers. And even with the state help that is proposed in the House budget, experts say about 16,000 kids could lose access to child care in 2024.
“We are currently increasing tuition gradually,” said Heersche, who’s been director of her center since 2011. “If we were not to receive any further funding, it would probably be a 20 to 25% tuition increase, which would not be affordable for most families.”