WORCESTER While the rest of the education world sent students home last spring, early education providers in the region remained open, and continued to offer in-person services throughout the pandemic.
More than a year later, those programs, which had already faced steep challenges before the coronavirus, say they are worse off just as the region begins to reopen, as they struggle to find employees and meet the growing demand of families.
“There was a big black cloud over us before the pandemic,” said Darlene Belliveau, director of children’s services at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts. “Now I feel like we’re swirling in a tornado.”