CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Background check issues and unsupervised kids are just some of the violations that led to the abrupt closure of Childtime Learning Center, a Chesapeake daycare.
Now News 3 is following up with parents on how they’re handling the change with just days of notice.
Watch: Childtime daycare shuts down after several code violations on hiring, supervision
"It’s overwhelming and I know I’m not the only one that feels like that," said Jamie Pazzaglia, a Chesapeake parent.
Pazzaglia says she called more than 10 daycares to find childcare for her 2-year-old daughter, after Childtime abruptly announced they were shutting down.
"Most of the facilities couldn’t take my daughter until 2025 in June. It’s frustrating," Pazzaglia said. "They are all at capacity in the classroom. Sometimes I’m like 'Do I be a good parent or have a career?'"
Watch: What's keeping people from the workforce? Some say the cost of childcare
After calling more than 10 places, she finally found another spot for her child.
Tabitha Darrell, who owns Little Achievers Child Care in Virginia Beach, said there are several factors contributing to the childcare shortage.
"COVID played a role," she said. "We’re all kind of slowly building back up," Darrell said.
She says Little Achievers Child Care is accepting new kids for enrollment.
Watch: Parents struggle to find child care in Hampton Roads
"Originally, we were having to turn away families," Darrell said. "We've been in business for six years, so we had to expand because there was a need and we don’t wanna turn parents away,"
In some cases, families are seeking one-on-one child care.
Tidewater Tots Childcare, a local nanny agency, told News 3 they are struggling to keep up with demand.
Watch: 'Childcare crisis' discussions continue in Virginia Beach
"We have to do a waitlist because so many families are requesting," said Maria Amar, owner of Tidewater Tots. "But we don’t have the same amount of sitters or nannies."
The childcare shortage has also gotten the attention of state leaders.
Last week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed ten bills supporting his “Building Blocks for Virginia families” initiative, designed to help expand childcare options and in some cases expedite the hiring process for daycare staff.
