Child Care and COVID-19 in Onslow County- Here's the Latest

Over the past two years, child care centers across the county have been hit with a myriad of challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. From economic uncertainty and mass child care center closures to continuous staffing challenges and difficulties retaining early childhood educators, COVID-19 has threatened the entire child care ecosystem as we know it.

In the past few months, COVID-19 cases have surged in Onslow County, setting a record on January 10th for the number of COVID-19 cases reported. Officials said 756 new cases of the virus were reported, with 3,313 active cases in the county. The positivity rate for testing has soared to 29 percent in Onslow County and is expected to climb.

COVID-19 and Child Care in Onslow County

Since 2020, we’ve watched many challenges for early childhood education unfold. Centers in our community have closed, leaving children and families without adequate access to high-quality care and support. Families have been forced to make difficult choices about work versus caregiving, all of which underscores the national need for a complete overhaul of the American child care sector.

In Onslow County, as of February 2022, we currently have 63 operating locations with nearly 6,000 licensed slots. Of this, 2,928 children are currently enrolled. In the past year, we’ve seen 13 programs close.

While there are 6,000 licensed slots available on paper this number is impacted by closures and lack of staff to provide services, further decreasing the number of actual slots available to families in the community at any given time. (This data is not inclusive of Child Development Centers operated on local military installations).

If you are looking for high-quality child care programs in Onslow County, we’re here to help. To start your search for child care, text “Child” to (910) 333-0608 and our team will get back to you to start the referral process. You can also start your search online by clicking here. If no slots are available, a member of our team will follow up with you as new slots open up.

We’ve also seen a number of challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

Staffing Challenges

In September 2021, the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council (NC CCR&R Council) conducted a survey of child care centers in the state to understand the staffing challenges that many are facing. Centers reported a 22 percent decline in lead and assistant teachers. Of these centers, 75 percent are currently hiring teachers, highlighting the higher demand for teachers across all types of child care centers right now.

Many child care centers in North Carolina are opting to offer higher wages in the hopes of attracting new teachers and retaining their existing staff—however, with consistently low wages across the child care industry, this uptick may not be enough to entice new teachers to join the early education workforce.

If you are a center looking to hire or an early childhood educator looking for work, take a look at our Early Educator Job Board. Employers can post current job openings for view and educators can search available openings at local facilities. View more information here.

Decreased Enrollment

NC CCR&R found that more than half of child care centers in North Carolina used to serve 50 or more children before the pandemic; but now, only 4 in 10 (or 44 percent) were doing so now. 65 percent of child care centers report serving fewer children now than they did in March 2020.

A decrease in enrollment leaves child care centers to juggle fewer tuition-paying families alongside expensive pandemic safety measures. Many child care centers operate on razor-thin margins, and lower enrollment numbers can wreak havoc on a center’s long-term ability to keep the doors open.

COVID-19 Clusters

A recent challenge in Onslow County and North Carolina is the presence of COVID-19 clusters. Defined as a minimum of five positive cases identified through a PCR or antigen test, the positivity of clusters in child care centers and schools requires teachers to quarantine—and potentially close entirely.

Reports released in January 2022 showed that Onslow County experienced 21 child care classroom closures and one center closure as a result of COVID-19, impacting 152 children (and their families) and 48 staff members. Several child care centers across the state have also faced outbreaks, leaving parents with nowhere to turn.

Why Child Care is Essential

With high-quality, accessible, and affordable child care, parents have the opportunity to join the workforce and pursue ongoing career development. When more families are supported by early childhood education opportunities, they contribute to a healthier economy, both state-wide and nationally.

Early childhood education is also essential for the ongoing development of a child—including for their physical, emotional, and social health. The first five years of a child’s life is when critical brain development occurs. Without supportive environments and positive interactions with teachers and peers, children may suffer from adverse effects for the rest of their life. To learn more about types of child care visit Child Care Aware of America.

Our Impact

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, One Place has helped families in Onslow County find the resources they need in order to thrive. From North Carolina-specific resources to educational materials while your child is learning from home, we’ve gathered an array of information to help you through this time. Learn more here.

Child Care and COVID-19 in Onslow County- Here’s the Latest

COVID-19 and Child Care in Onslow County

Why Child Care is Essential

Our Impact

Resources