Staffing and applicant issues causes ripple effect at day cares

A local day care center is feeling the pandemic pinch.A lack of staff and lack of applicants are forcing some day care centers to make tough decisions.At 2 For U Childcare Center in Ankeny, an email was sent last week to more than 20 families saying due to staffing and state mandated student to teacher ratios as of Oct. 1 they would have to find different child care. “It was truly heartbreaking having to send the email telling families they had seven days to find childcare,” said Morgan Michael, director of 2 For U Childcare Center in Ankeny.Randy and Stacy Storbeck are one of the families who received the email.”It made me want to cry,” Stacy Storbeck said.They immediately started calling day care centers.They feel fortunate because they were able to find a day care center for their 7-and-a-half-month-old son.The lack of employees at day care centers is also impacting those working there. They are working longer hours — sometimes 11 hours or more a day. They say there is one solution.”We need the help,” said Dani Koster, a 2 For U teacher.The team at 2 For U says they are and will continue trying to get qualified applicants to apply.

A local day care center is feeling the pandemic pinch.

A lack of staff and lack of applicants are forcing some day care centers to make tough decisions.

At 2 For U Childcare Center in Ankeny, an email was sent last week to more than 20 families saying due to staffing and state mandated student to teacher ratios as of Oct. 1 they would have to find different child care.

“It was truly heartbreaking having to send the email telling families they had seven days to find childcare,” said Morgan Michael, director of 2 For U Childcare Center in Ankeny.

Randy and Stacy Storbeck are one of the families who received the email.

“It made me want to cry,” Stacy Storbeck said.

They immediately started calling day care centers.

They feel fortunate because they were able to find a day care center for their 7-and-a-half-month-old son.

The lack of employees at day care centers is also impacting those working there. They are working longer hours — sometimes 11 hours or more a day. They say there is one solution.

“We need the help,” said Dani Koster, a 2 For U teacher.

The team at 2 For U says they are and will continue trying to get qualified applicants to apply.