As more of us struggle back to work, more of us need child care.

But Lexington County child care providers are struggling, too.

Even before covid-19 ,about 40% of SC was considered a "child care desert."

That swelled to more than 66% during the covid-19 closings. 

Day care centers were ruled essential and did not need to close.

Yet more than half of them did.

Many were forced to close as they lost customers.

Parents working from home provided their ow child care.

For workplaces to reopen, they need their employees to return, reported the Charleston Post and Courier.

Their employees need child care before they can return.

Day care providers need their own employees back and cash from parents to reopen.

Faced with these challenges, some child care providers were forced to close permanently. 

For parents who could send their kids back to day care, it's been a relief.

Many, like Tom Lacas of Chapin, have juggled full-time work from home while taking care of their children. 

Lacas looked after their 3 kids while his wife, a pharmacist, worked 12-hour shifts.

He neglected his at-home web development business because it was "near impossible" to find uninterrupted work time. 

"For a kid to randomly come in crying during a Zoom meeting has become somewhat acceptable,” Lacas said.