parents directly pays staff. but centers need lots of teachers. infants can require one teacher per four children. with little to no public funding the result is wait lists. here it is through the summer of 2022. >> i feel bad because a lot of them are calling desperate looking for child care because they are having to go back into the work force and i just can't help them. >> reporter: there are nearly 127,000 fewer child care workers than before the pandemic. some citing covid fears and low pay. briana jenkins williams is one of them. >> i love working here. i just need more money. >> reporter: she was making $13.50 an hour at patty cake. >> i wasn't making enough. trying to make ends meet. you know? trying to feed my child, make sure he had food on the table. it just got overwhelming. >> reporter: she found a new job