Cheryl Prather's been caring for kids for forty years. For many, she's part of the family. "Some of them are even planning their families around when I can have them, no lie, no lie they ask," she said. Right now she cares for about six kids.

But as employers cut hours and jobs, more parents are keeping kids at home. Prather's colleagues are feeling the pinch. "They're having to look for kids now where they've never had to."

Sherry Junck with the Siouxland Community Action Agency says, "that means they're not making the money, so they're having to go outside and look for a job." It's a cycle she says ends with fewer quality childcare options in the future. 

There is a financial lifeline for registered daycare providers, though. For providers like Prather, the government will reimburse a portion of kids' food expenses, ranging from 50 cents to two dollars, depending on the meal. Prather's been a part of the program for 25 years. She explains, "it's really gotten us through, economic times."

About half of Woodbury County's registered providers take advantage of the USDA program, aimed at making sure kids have nutritious and balanced meals. Child and Adult Care Food Program Director Tammy Herbert says, "in some instances it's actually the most nutritious meal that the child may have."

Herbert's coworker, Sherry Junck, is a former daycare provider. She used the reimbursement program to free up needed cash. "Because I wasn't spending all my money on food, I was able to take my kids on outings, I was able to buy new toys." Taking those savings to give her kids a stronger shot at their future.

 

Reported by Jeremy Maskel. You can reach Jeremy at jmaskel@kmeg.com.