Daycare Concerns | Video

Jessica Roose | 1/16/2013

If you`re a parent to young children, you`re probably aware of the child care problems in the state. This afternoon, daycare providers and parents from across North Dakota met at the capitol to discuss the concerns with lawmakers.

They talked about how with the wide availability of jobs across the state, daycare centers are having a hard time hiring and keeping employees. Many say the only way they will be able to keep their businesses open is if they drastically increase rates, to be able to offer higher wages and afford higher operating costs.

While the problem is happening across the state, it is worse in oil-impacted areas and surrounding communities. In Minot there is a two year waiting list to get into many centers.

“Ultimately if we make daycare too expensive the parents can`t work and if they don`t work we don`t have any of the services that we want and need. It`s just that simple,” said Tot Lot Childcare Director Dee Dobitz.

Lawmakers at the meeting spoke about possible legislation they plan to introduce to help alleviate some of the day care problems.

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