Experts say a shortage of child care workers started before the pandemic due to low wages and insufficient benefits.

They say the problem is getting worse because of the unemployment benefits that many are receiving.

Some say there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

"The state has received $2.4 billion for child care specifically and there are several allocations that will allow for childcare providers to provide for stability funding, which they can use to recruit and retain staff through different measures," says Joy Connolly, president of the Child Care Council of Nassau.

Connolly says 30 to 40% of all childcare programs in the state had closed during the pandemic and are now slowly starting to open again.