More than 200,000 children in the state of Florida could lose access to child care after the federal funding passed during the pandemic expires Saturday, according to a report by The Century Foundation.

In 2021, Congress approved $24 billion to help families with child care costs and with the loss of funding, about 3.2 million kids will be affected nationwide, The Century Foundation found.

While most business affected by the pandemic have bounced back, child care hasn't.

An estimated 65,000 child care jobs have been lost between February 2020 and August 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And more are likely to shut if the funding ends.

The Century Foundation estimates 70,000 day care centers will close without the funding, leading to a subsequent $10.6 billion in lost tax and business revenue.

Standing next to a giant dollhouse and shelves packed with books, Patti Smith, the director of Greenway Learning Center, said the funding during the pandemic was a "lifesaver," but the economics of child care were "broken" long before then. 

Teachers in child care centers are required to obtain specific degrees and certifications but are paid less than jobs that only require a high school degree.

"If you raise tuition to pay your staff what they're worth, then parents can't afford it," Smith said. "It's really a no-win situation."

Smith said about a quarter of the kids at Greenway receive assistance through the scholarships. If their parents can't cover the cost of tuition on their own, she won't be able to offer their kids a spot. 

"We worry about children going into unregulated child care or having parents leave the workforce which is not good for the economy at all," she said. "If we don't have full enrollment in the classrooms, then I have to let teachers go and I don't want to do that. And I certainly don't want to turn children away."

A group of Democratic lawmakers is seeking $16 billion in funding passed for child care centers before the end of the month, but time is running short.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), who is helping lead the push in the House, said she hopes to attach to the funding to an $44 billion emergency supplemental request from the White House, which currently includes funding for Ukraine and disaster relief for Maui, among other items. 

That additional funding seems unlikely, however, as Republicans are pushing for reduced federal spending.

Two key groups of House Republicans are pressing for an 8% cut in domestic discretionary programs not related to the military or veterans. Even items the White House requested, like aid for Ukraine, are facing opposition by some Republicans.