United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and Child Care Aware of Kansas partnered to survey of child care providers — 29% of the state’s total — indicated facility operators were committed to extra cleaning, handwashing and temperature checks. More significant public health precautions, including vaccinations, the wearing of masks and social distancing, are less prevalent, according the Child Care Providers and COVID-19: Prevention and Mitigation Practices report.

“Sustaining quality child care, particularly in rural communities, was a challenge before the pandemic,” said David Jordan, president and chief executive officer of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “The pandemic is pushing staff, centers’ viability and the system to the brink.”

He said the pandemic made it more difficult to recruit workers and to operate centers. A consequence is that parents have greater obstacles to acquiring quality care, he said.