ELKHORN, Neb. (KMTV) — A daycare in Elkhorn is shutting down due to rising costs and declining enrollment, underscoring the growing challenge of affordable childcare in the Omaha metro area.
Parents in the region pay an average of $13,000 per year for a single child’s daycare, a cost many families struggle to manage. That financial pressure is one reason Premier Academy, located near 204th and Veterans Drive, is closing its doors. Families were notified last week that the center’s final day will be this Friday.
Director Tamara Ross said low enrollment combined with increasing expenses made it impossible to continue operations.
“So many tears,” Ross said.
Kayla White, whose daughter attends the daycare, said the sudden closure has left her scrambling to find a new option.
“It’s very disappointing. It kind of feels like I’m saying goodbye to family,” White said.
While Premier Academy is helping families connect with other providers, many face additional challenges.
“Our facility is primarily subsidy families, so finding a childcare center with available spots that also accepts subsidies has been difficult,” Ross said.
Childcare subsidies support hundreds of low- and middle-income families, helping parents work or attend school. Nebraska lawmakers are currently debating whether to maintain existing income eligibility requirements, with the possibility that some families could lose access.
Elizabeth Everett, vice president of the Early Futures Partnership, said the decision could immediately impact about 1,000 families and further limit access to affordable childcare statewide.
“We need people in the workforce to strengthen our economy, and without programs like this, that becomes much harder,” Everett said.
Childcare providers say the closure reflects a broader trend across Nebraska, as centers face rising costs, declining enrollment, and increasing demand. According to the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the area needs nearly 5,000 additional childcare slots to meet current demand.
For parents like White, the issue goes beyond policy—it’s about ensuring their children have a safe and supportive place to learn and grow.
“I think it’s really important for kids to get that early socialization and adapt to new environments,” she said.
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