ATLANTA — Many families and childcare providers across the state say this week has felt like a roller coaster after the federal funding freeze affected staff payroll and meals for children.
Sydney Jordan is the owner and director of the Learning Loft Prep School in Atlanta’s West End.
She has about 100 kids at her daycare.
“If children can’t go to school, parents can’t work, and that’s what keeps the economy going,” Jordan said.
Jordan told Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes that half of her students rely on federal funds so their parents can afford enrollment and the meals many daycares provide.
“They may not eat again until they come back the next day,” Jordan said.
When the federal government froze funds on Monday, Jordan got two letters from two different state programs that get their money from Washington, even though the memo ordering the freeze was rescinded Wednesday.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Gwinnett County Schools superintendent dismissed by school board
- Rapper YFN Lucci released from GA prison
- Widespread rain to move out throughout Friday evening
“I don’t wanna have my parents go from paying $45 a week in childcare to paying $300 a week in childcare on short notice. It’s been very unsettling to say the least,” Jordan said.
Sharon Foster services about 1,200 kids at different daycares across metro Atlanta.
“It’s been a real roller coaster for us this week,” Foster said.
Half of her students rely on federal funds, too. She thought the state government would have stepped in.
“I feel like in this situation they have a $16 billion surplus they could’ve relied on to float us through this crisis as opposed to putting it on us to float them. I would’ve liked to see things handled a little differently,” Foster said.
A spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp told Fernandes that legally they couldn’t move that money as fast or as easily as many people think.
The daycare owners Fernandes spoke with said they both got notices Friday saying the money is coming. They’re hoping it does, but they are worried about the future.
©2025 Cox Media Group
