ESSEX — Throughout the North Country, a number of factors have made it more difficult for families to locate, as well as pay for, care for their youngsters.
Development and Outreach Director at Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm Elisaveta “Ellie” Goff recently shared her personal narrative, “It’s Tough Providing Childcare Now,” as part of the national oral history initiative, OurStoryBridge Listens: Present in the Moment.
It speaks to the growing child care accessibility and affordability crisis affecting families across the North Country and reflects her experiences.
“For many, the cost has become overwhelming, especially as New York state child care subsidies have largely stalled over the past year due to funding shortages, leaving parents to make painful and often impossible choices between work, their children’s care and their family’s stability,” Goff said. “This isn’t just a logistical challenge, it’s an emotional and financial strain that touches every part of a family’s life.
“Child care is not simply a private family concern, it is a cornerstone of a healthy, thriving community. When families can’t access reliable care, parents are forced out of the workforce, businesses feel the strain and the fabric of our local economy begins to fray. In that way, this crisis reaches far beyond individual households. It impacts all of us, shaping the wellbeing, resilience and future of our entire community.”
In addition to Essex, Lakeside School serves families with children aged infant through 6 years old from Elizabethtown, Keene, Westport and Willsboro.
“Seventy percent of our students rely on subsistence. We never say no. This is not a luxury. Many families have been affected by the subsidy crisis, which started when the federal government started cutting assistance. We can’t dis-enroll the kids. Do the parents stay home and lose their jobs?” Goff said. “So the least we can do is to still provide for the families. Fortunately, we have some donors in the area that help support us.”
Lakeside School, a nonprofit organization, runs year round.
“We are a community resource. We are living through a very difficult situation right now. It’s been difficult competing for funds that have become more limited,” Goff said.
Dillon Prime, center director of Little Peaks, situated in the hamlet of Keene, has expressed similar problems with families obtaining child care, as well as issues with funding.
The center opened in 2007 and recently moved into a new facility. The children come from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Ausable, Jay and Upper Jay. Some of the families drop off their kids on their way to work in other communities, such as Elizabethtown.
“We have experienced cuts in CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program for low-income families), which relies on federal funding and WDI (Workforce Development Institute), which is a child care scholarship program for families ineligible for their county’s CCAP,” Prime said.
Little Peaks has a waiting list. There are even parents that request a space for their yet-to-be-born children, hoping that when they reach the age for daycare, there will be a space available.
“Our staff is mostly made up of hourly workers. They stay because they love it. They could be making more money and have more benefits working for another place, such as Stewart’s. Some are young moms,” Prime said.
“We do have some local donors, which are a big help. The local towns provide some assistance to help provide for funding and equipment. We are holding our breath.”
Little Peaks gets some assistance from volunteers, and a few substitute teachers are available. However, a deterrent is they have to undergo the training required for the regular staff.