COLUMBUS, Ohio — Misti Norman has owned and operated Heavenly Kids Center for Learning in Columbus for 17 years.
"Just seeing the kids develop and grow and go to that next level," Norman said.
But she says it's been a struggle the last few years. She lost employees and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic and keeping workers now is still a challenge. Fewer teachers means fewer kids she can take.
"Everything was increasing except for the funds we were receiving to pay our teachers," Norman said. "You know, we also have to carry the burden of families not qualifying for certain services, still needing childcare, and our hands are tied."
Ohio lawmakers say the state is in a child care crisis and the time to act is now. State Senator Michele Reynolds and Representative Mark Johnson introduced companion bills Wednesday that they call the "Child Care Cred Act." They say it will help working families, businesses and child care providers.
It aims to make child care more affordable and accessible by using a cost-sharing model. The families needing child care, their employer and the state would each pay a third of the cost. Employers can opt-in and it is not mandatory. The state would put up $10 million dollars to get the program rolling.
"Current state support for child care is inadequate leaving many families who don't qualify for publicly funded programs like Title 20 struggling to afford child care," Reynolds said.
Ohio offers child care assistance to those earning up to 130% of the federal poverty level, but many working families don't qualify for that. This program could help them.
Reynolds also said the average annual cost of child care for an infant and a 4-year-old combined is more than $18,000.
Lawmakers say turning around the child care crisis will also help with workforce shortages. They say employers are struggling to attract or keep employees who leave the workforce because of the high cost of child care. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports the bill.
"Sixty percent of parents cite the lack of child care as the reason for leaving the workforce," said Rick Carfagna with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Norman says child care providers have been fighting for years to get leaders to understand their struggle.
"I'm glad it's finally happening, but we're exhausted," Norman said. "So, I'm hoping that these bills do pass that can give us some relief and the families."
Child care has been a big topic at the statehouse recently. Counting the two bills introduced Wednesday, lawmakers have brought forward eight bills on child care in the last couple of weeks.