The number of child care providers in Dorchester County stayed the same between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2024, making it one of three counties in the state that did not see a decrease. The county lost several providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but other providers have opened since then, meaning the overall number of providers in 2024 -- 57 -- was the same as it was in early 2020.
Meanwhile, the number of child care slots in Dorchester County decreased from 859 on Jan. 1, 2020, to 851 on Jan. 1, 2024. That’s a 0.93% decrease — the second smallest in the state. The county suffered a deep drop in slots early during the pandemic, but actually gained 134 child care slots between 2022 and 2024.
The number of top-rated child care facilities -- those with a rating of 5 on the state's EXCELS rating system -- in the county fell from seven in 2020 to five this year.
Here’s what Michelle Murphy, owner of The Learning Garden Daycare in Hurlock, had to say about the child care situation in Dorchester County:
“Times have changed. Children have changed. Family dynamics have changed drastically economically, especially since COVID. That puts a strain on running this business.”
– Jaria Butler