Central Arkansas parent says federal funding cuts to childcare forced her toddler out of daycare

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Calli Turner said her two-year-old daughter has been going to Explorer’s Academy in Little Rock since July. The faith-based preschool experience is open to all families.

“Finding that quality of childcare at a rate that you can afford, even on a two-job income level, is really, really hard to find,” Turner said.

Turner said she got a letter from the childcare center on Thursday night, letting her know it will close in January because of federal funding cuts.

“It’s hard to understand the panic that goes into a parent’s mind,” Turner said.

At a legislative meeting on Wednesday,  the Arkansas Department of Education said the federal government hasn’t given the state money for the Child Care Development Block Grant for the new fiscal year. That money helps pay for high-quality childcare for low-income families.

“Now, there’s going to be a whole slew of daycares closing, right? And so, we’re going to be up against other parents trying to get their kids in,” Turner said.

Daycare staff said the deep cuts put them in a position where they can’t maintain the program without compromising the standards that define it.

“I hope that there aren’t more daycare closures that happen. But, if there are, then I hope more parents fight and speak up,” Turner said.