Oklahoma Parents Struggle To Find Child Care

Students are out of school, and many parents are struggling to find child care.

The summer demand mixed with more parents going back to work in person means more kids needing care. News On 6 called about a dozen child care centers around Green Country, and they all said they have a waiting list, depending on the child's age.

Jamie and Donnie Jones said they want hands-on learning in a safe place for their daughters, Parker and Presley.

"It's stressful, you know, trying to find somebody that we trust,” said Donnie Jones. “That's another top of that list."

The Broken Arrow parents said they are still searching, after two weeks of calls to 30 child care centers.

The couple said none could take both an infant and toddler.

"There's been a few that have openings for my three-year-old, but when it comes to the baby, they're just full because they can only have so many under a certain age," said Jamie Jones.

Meanwhile, at Pine Premier Child Care in Tulsa, there are children ages six weeks to 11 years old.

Dr. Lana Turner-Addison is the director and told News On 6 she hears many frustrated parents.

“On any given day, like every day of the week, I have no less than five people calling, trying to enroll their children," explained Turner-Addison.

She said right now, Pine Premier cares for 44 children and has a capacity for 60, but the center would need more staffing.

Turner-Addison said the center is hiring, but many people are not ready to be back to work or do not meet the criteria and background checks.

"When you're checking out child care facilities, ask to check out their compliance book because DHS does pop-ups and make sure that the daycare centers are in ratio, that they're compliant."

Oklahoma Department of Human Services has a hotline and website to help you find child care that meets your needs.

The site also has a list of non-compliances for each facility which can be found HERE