MADISON, Wis. — Despite millions of dollars in federal aid designed to keep them operating, the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association estimates 5% of Wisconsin's daycare centers have closed since the pandemic began. 

Among them: The Little Cardinals Academy in Cross Plains.

"We were starting to make a difference in that community, but when COVID hit, it did a hit to my knees. I couldn't run anymore,"  said Brenda Fritz, the daycare center's former owner. 

Fritz held on from May until November.

"We did get funding for COVID relief but it wasn't enough to save my Cross Plains facility," Fritz said. "Between strict regulations, increased costs, and falling enrollment, it was already too late."

"It's very painful, I really don't like to think about it," she said. "Many, many days of realizing that it financially, and from a business standpoint, needed to be done, but [...] it was hard. To say that you'll be responsible for somebody's child, and take that away."

Fritz isn't alone.

Per a report from the WECA, 54% of Wisconsin is considered to be a childcare desert. Cross Plains is not considered one yet, as there are 1.87 children for every childcare slot available. A childcare desert is three children or more per available slot. 

The roughly 5% of closed childcare programs since the pandemic began translates to a loss of 25,000 regulated childcare slots. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recently released a survey showing that without a major federal relief package, up to 80% of childcare programs will be closed by the end of this summer.

"It's not getting that education starting from zero to seven. And you may not see it here. And now, but when those kids get to be high schoolers," Fritz said. "That's where society's going to pay even more for them as they grow older."

June 21 Editor's Note: The previous value has been changed to 5% to reflect the correct amount.