The number of child care providers in Montgomery County fell 9.21% between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2024. That’s the second smallest decrease in the state.
Meanwhile, the number of child care slots in Montgomery County decreased from 43,851 on Jan. 1, 2020, to 43,680 on Jan. 1, 2024. That’s a 0.39% decrease — the smallest in the state. The number of slots fell more dramatically in the early years of the pandemic, only to rebound in 2023 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 increased from 72 in early 2020 to 75 early this year.
Here's what Laura Jahromi, manager of strategic initiatives at the Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance, had to say about the child care situation in the county at a recent state public hearing:
"Many areas of our county and across the state have deserts for infant and toddler care. Therefore, it is critical that we monitor the supply of all our seats from birth to pre-K, or else the expansion of pre-K will further exacerbate infant and toddler (child care) shortages."
-- Jenna Bloom and Jerry Zremski