US EditionThe day care system is broken, SE Minnesota providers say. But change is on the horizon
- Child care providers in Southeast Minnesota report a broken system marked by high costs and severe staff shortages as of 2025.
- This situation stems from costs near $23,000 annually for infant care, minimal wages around $16 per hour, and complex, heavy regulations.
- Providers highlight that escalating costs arise from the nature of care, lack of public funding, and burdensome state compliance requirements affecting operations.
- Jon Losness noted, "We've got desperate shortages," while Jennifer Parrish observed unprecedented unlicensed care due to shortages and high costs.
- Reform efforts aim to shift regulatory evaluation to a new department and simplify accountability, reflecting provider hopes for rationalized oversight and improved conditions.
15 Articles
15 Articles
The day care system is broken, SE Minnesota providers say. But change is on the horizon
ROCHESTER — Among those who work in the child care industry in Southeast Minnesota, a general consensus prevails: The system is broken. The crisis is reflected in a conundrum. While parents pay top dollar for day care, sometimes amounting to one parent’s salary, day care staff are barely paid subsistence wages. What accounts for the disconnect? The average annual cost of infant care in Minnesota is nearly $23,000, according to a recent report by…
The day care system is broken, Rochester area providers say. But change is on the horizon
ROCHESTER — Among those who work in the child care industry in Southeast Minnesota, a general consensus prevails: The system is broken. The crisis is reflected in a conundrum. While parents pay top dollar for day care, sometimes amounting to one parent’s salary, day care staff are barely paid subsistence wages. What accounts for the disconnect? The average annual cost of infant care in Minnesota is nearly $23,000, according to a recent report by…
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