In Saline County, like much of the nation, childcare availability is diminishing for families. [Kathi] Barton doesn’t like turning people away, but she’s only licensed for so many children. “With a waiting list a mile long, we get people who call in tears, crying that they can’t find anybody,” Kathi Barton said. “They just don’t know what to do.” As of early 2023, there are an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 fewer available childcare spaces than needed in Saline County, according to data from Childcare Aware, a statewide resource and referral agency. Meanwhile, local childcare centers and at-home providers alike are operating at capacity. While at home providers face their own unique challenges, care facilities are having trouble hiring staff due to poverty level wages, among other issues.
Source: Salina Journal
