Return-to-Office Push in 2025 Intensifies Childcare Crisis for Working Parents
Flexible childcare solutions gain urgency as more corporations put an end to hybrid work, forcing parents to make tough choices.
As this month marks the 5-year anniversary of the Pandemic, more companies are putting an end to hybrid work schedules and calling employees back to the office, at a time when child care is already in crisis with 3.2 million child care slots at risk of being lost due to the child care cliff.
Many childcare centers were already struggling with 16,000 being forced to close their doors during the pandemic. For those that did survive, staff shortages and long waitlists are adding to the lack of childcare options facing parents, as the COVID-relief federal grant program came to an end last Sept.
With parents facing more strict return-to-office schedules — eliminating the flexibility some workers have utilized since the pandemic — the end result is expected to “force many parents to make tough choices,” according to The Business Journals.
Some parents are likely to leave the workforce altogether, continuing The Great Resignation that contributed to 2X more women becoming stay-at-home moms in 2023 than 2022.
A new start-up, June Care, is working to change that, by offering parents access to flexible and affordable childcare nationwide, through an App created to enable neighbors to help neighbors through childcare.
JUNE stands for Joining Up Neighbors Everywhere and it connects families that need childcare with trusted local moms and sitters who can care for their kids.
The company allows employees to use their corporate childcare benefits to access their network of 50,000 vetted providers, who can accommodate any work schedule on short notice with no waitlists.
“We're here to help employees find the care they need—whether for hybrid work, shifting schedules, or on-demand needs, according to June Care Founder Gretchen Salyer. “We thoroughly vet our providers, ensuring parents have access to the highest quality care available whenever they need it.”
Parents looking for childcare can create an account at junecare.co and connect with local moms and sitters who can care for their kids in minutes. It’s a great option for families who are currently waitlisted or need flexible, part-time or after hours care. To find out more, visit junecare.co.
