Article Summary –
Corrine Hendrickson founded Corrine’s Little Explorers in 2007 in response to the lack of child care options, but after years of financial struggle and insufficient state support, she has decided to close it due to inadequate state funding, which will likely lead to higher child care costs and fewer available slots in rural areas like Green County. Despite Governor Evers securing $110 million for child care through the Child Care Bridge Payment Program, and additional funds for early school readiness and assistance programs, Hendrickson and other providers argue that the funding falls short and will not prevent child care rate increases or closures. After closing her center, Hendrickson plans to become a consultant for child care centers and is contemplating a political run for the state Senate in a district where Democrats have a chance to gain a seat due to redistricting.
In 2007, Corrine Hendrickson and friends gathered for “Margarita Monday” amidst their husbands’ firefighter meeting. Her pregnant friends faced a childcare dilemma, questioning if they should leave jobs or seek parental help.
“I thought, what if I leave my retail manager job to start a business? I have a degree in early childhood education,” shared Hendrickson.
She launched Corrine’s Little Explorers in New Glarus that October, initially caring for her own and friends’ babies.
Over 18 years, the childcare center expanded, gaining a five-star rating. Yet, like many child care providers, Hendrickson faced financial challenges due to rising costs. She became an advocate for increased state child care funding, urging lawmakers during budget discussions to allocate $480 million as proposed by Gov. Tony Evers.
While Evers pledged to reject a budget without child care funding, only a fraction of the requested amount was included. Hendrickson highlighted that this wouldn’t sustain providers, forcing her to raise rates by $60 weekly or close her center by August’s end.
“I realized, if funding isn’t secured, women shouldn’t bear this burden alone. The system relies on women with young children to either run family childcare or work for low wages just to secure childcare for their own kids,” she remarked.
Evers’ original $480 million plan aimed to sustain the Child Care Counts program, a federal pandemic relief initiative, set to expire in June 2025. Republicans cut this budget request.
Ultimately, Evers secured $110 million, launching a Child Care Bridge Payment Program as a successor, funding providers until June 2026 for expenses like staff and bills.
“I’m proud our budget supports childcare professionals, providing them resources to offer high-quality care,” Evers stated in his announcement of the new program.
The budget also allocates $65 million to early school readiness, $2 million to reduce child care waitlists, and $123 million to Wisconsin Shares for low-income families.
Hendrickson believes this funding won’t keep centers open or lower family costs, as it’s only approved until next summer.
“No program is avoiding rate hikes, many increasing $20 to $50 weekly. It’s not reducing family expenses,” she noted.
Her center’s closure in Green County, a rural Wisconsin area losing childcare facilities, reduces slots by eight. Though most children found spots at Growing Tree, waitlisted kids face longer waits. Noah’s Ark, a longtime center, is also closing.
“Many thought I wouldn’t close, given my fight,” Hendrickson shared, acknowledging the child care crisis’s severity.
Post-closure, Hendrickson plans to consult for childcare centers and small businesses. She’s also considering a state Senate run in District 17, currently held by Republican Sen. Howard Marklein, potentially vulnerable to Democrats due to redistricting. Decision pending after candidate forums.
Hendrickson and others urge Evers to call a special legislative session for the full $480 million.
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