Central Oregon child care sees extra strain on finding spring break spots for older children

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Some rain this week in Bend hasn't stopped children at Camp Fire Central Oregon from enjoying spring break.

"We offer families an opportunity to know that their kids are in a safe, warm, welcoming environment, " Program Manager Zafiro Larsen said Wednesday.

School vacation times like spring break cause an increase in demand for child care, at a time when Central Oregon parents already struggle to find spots. NeighborImpact tries to assist families dealing with the shortage.

Brittany Seale, Child Care intake specialist for NeighborImpact calls it a child care desert. "

There is a need just kind of all across the board," she said. "We definitely are in a child care desert, and I think that's something that has been a barrier is just families finding programs that are going to work for them."

Camp Fire Central Oregon admits there hasn't been as high of a demand for their camps this year. They say parents of younger children from Pre-K to third grade aren't struggling to find spots -- it's those of fourth- through sixth-graders having the biggest problem landing a program.

"We have noticed a decrease in the need and the ask in younger kids, for younger kids. So it's kind of interesting. I don't know if families have learned during Covid how to have their kiddos at home during these times," Larsen said.

NeighborImpact agrees: "The demand for school-aged child care goes up during those school breaks, during spring break, winter break, summer break, things like that," Seale said. "I will say that the school full time, school-age spots are harder to come by than like a pre-school spot or a toddler spot. "

Child care facilities and in-home providers have different rules, according to NeighborImpact, so for parents, finding a fit can be difficult. That's why the demand for care of older children is high, Seale said.

"It gets a little difficult for those people who are running child care out of their home that, you know, that is their business. And if they don't have someone there all day, that's kind of -- they're missing out on that opportunity to have a child there for the full day," she said.

State funding for Central Oregon has helped with demand, as nearly 800 new child care spots were opened locally this year. And as the summer months approach, NeighborImpact says it's more important than ever

"(The website) Find Child Care Oregon is a great option and resource for those families to use when they're searching for child care," Seale said, "and 211 is also there to support and help them through that process to find child care."