The number of child care providers in Garrett County fell 17.86% between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2024. That’s the ninth largest decrease in the state.
Meanwhile, the number of child care slots in Garrett County decreased from 513 on Jan. 1, 2020, to 399 on Jan. 1, 2024. That’s a 22.22% decrease — the second largest in the state.
The number of top-rated child care facilities -- those with a rating of 5 on the state's EXCELS rating system -- fell from 12 in early 2020 to 11 at the start of this year.
Here’s what Tracy Bowman, director of child and family development at the Garrett County Community Action Committee, had to say about the child care situation in Garrett County:
“We're an aging county, so we're seeing an increase in seniors and a decrease in younger children, so then the need for child care programs is decreasing because of that.”
– Nicholas Elliott