South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has expressed her belief that it is not the government's responsibility to bear the financial burden of raising children, amidst calls for increased state government aid for child care. Noem's comments come in the wake of the closure of four child care centers in Sioux Falls, leaving many parents scrambling for alternative options.

The recent closure of Apple Tree child care centers has been met with sleepless nights and heartbreaking decisions for parents in Sioux Falls. The closures add to the challenge of finding available licensed child care spots, which now stands at under 12,000 in the city.

A 97-page child care report from the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative highlights the financial strain on families, stating that a single-child family in Sioux Falls would need to earn a staggering $163,429 annually to afford child care at the current tuition rates. Affordable child care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, should not exceed more than 7% of household income.

South Dakota stands out as one of the few states that does not contribute any state funding towards early childhood education or child care. Governor Noem argues against the government assuming full financial responsibility for raising children, emphasizing that parents should take primary responsibility for their children.

Noem's stance has drawn criticism from child care advocates who argue that lack of state funding perpetuates low wages for child care staff and high rates for parents. They insist that the $100 million in federal aid received by South Dakota, part of the American Rescue Plan Act, is insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues in the child care system.

Governor Noem maintains that there has already been significant funding provided to child care providers, including grants for new day cares and expansions. However, despite the efforts, the child care industry's challenges persist.

The exact number of child care providers in South Dakota remains unknown, as unregulated family day cares are not tracked in the data. The South Dakota Department of Social Services oversees child care financial assistance and supervises registered, licensed, and unregulated providers. The Sioux Falls Health Department focuses on in-home child care registrations and inspections within city limits.

While the state government has allocated over $40 million in grants to support communities and day cares, the lack of state funding for child care continues to be a pressing concern. With working women making up a significant portion of the workforce in South Dakota, the need for affordable, accessible, and quality child care remains a crucial issue that requires attention and innovative solutions.

As the child care crisis deepens, parents, advocates, and policymakers will need to come together to explore sustainable solutions that support working families and prioritize the well-being and development of children across South Dakota.