Educators have been facing a tough season. Concerns about safety, immigration actions, winter illnesses, and possible federal funding freezes are putting pressure on an already strained industry. To better understand the struggles and highlight emerging needs, Think Small conducted a survey of more than 300 early educators from the seven-county metro area. Download a copy of the Child Care Stability Survey Infographic here.
Survey Findings
27% of programs closed unexpectedly for at least a day between December 2025 and February 2026. One Center in Ramsey County said they closed for 4 weeks, stating “Due to the ICE activity in our community, we have students who are not attending, and we have staff who also do not feel safe.”
35% of providers reported an increase in absences. “Ongoing community uncertainty and safety concerns have impacted attendance,” shares a Child Care Center in Hennepin County.
27% of providers saw decreased enrollments. “In the past 6 weeks, more than 5 families (representing 7 children) have declined enrollment, which has impacted our projections and future planning,” revealed a child care center in Washington County. The unpredictability of enrollments and revenue will threaten long-term stability of programs and an industry that already operates on narrow profit margins (Davies & Grunewald, 2011; U.S. Department of Treasury, 2021).
In the metro area, 1 in 3 providers surveyed worries about needing to close permanently in the next 6 months.
59% of providers are concerned about families’ ability to pay for care, a concern intensified by the higher than usual absence rates. Under current policy, children using Child Care Assistance or Early Learning Scholarships are allowed 25 days absent in a calendar year. Of those educators serving children using these programs, 52% say “half or more” or “all” will hit the 25 days absent limit. This adds additional strain on educators and puts families already navigating safety fears and financial stress at risk of losing a support they rely on.
The survey results show a system operating at its limits.
Concerned about the stability of Minnesota’s child care system? Contact your legislators! Not sure how? Use one of our how-to-advocate guides.
By Elizabeth Hessler and Dr. Nicole Smerillo
References
Davies, P., & Grunewald, R. (2011). Hardly child’s play. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, July 1, 2011. https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2011/ hardly-childs-play.
U.S. Department of Treasury. (2021, September). The Economics of Child Care Supply in the United States [Review of The Economics of Child Care Supply in the United States]. https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/The-Economics-of-Childcare-Supply-09-14-final.pdf
