BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Andrea Augustyn and her four-year-old daughter love their child care provider.
"We love EduKids. We love going there. we love the staff," said Augustyn.
Last week, they were put in a tough spot.
"We have three weeks now to figure out where a 30% increase in childcare is going to come from."
Augustyn received a letter last week from EduKids about increases in child care costs for 2021.
"You have to make a decision. Can people send their child to daycare when it's $1,400 a month?" asked Augustyn.
The letter attributed the price hike for families to increased operating costs and an increase in the minimum wage.
"I understand that there is a business that needs to be run," said Augustyn.
A study from this past summer shows costs for child care centers have gone up 47% during the pandemic. Additional sanitation and spreading out of groups of children are two of the main factors, according to the study.
Extra needs or not, increases at any child care center could prove to be too much for families.
"We just don't need one more thing against us."
7 Eyewitness News reached out to EduKids about this increase in tuition, a spokesperson said they increase their tuition every year.
