---
title: How the pandemic has forced a new generation of latchkey kids
description: How the pandemic has forced a new generation of latchkey kids
---

[![Child Care Aware of America Logo](https://info.childcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/usachildcareaware.site-ym.comgraphicslogo-new.png?width=690&height=350&name=usachildcareaware.site-ym.comgraphicslogo-new.png "Child Care Aware of America Logo")](https://www.childcareaware.org/)

- [English ](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/how-the-pandemic-has-forced-a-new-generation-of-latchkey-kids#) 
    - [Español (Spanish) ](https://www.childcareaware.org/?lang=es)

- [Child Care Career Center](http://careers.childcareaware.org/)
- [Help for Military/DoD Families](https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/)

 Search

![CCA Logo/Homepage link](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/ChildCareAware_October2019%20Theme/Images/menu_img.png)

## Media Center

For media requests, please call 703-341-4161 or email [news@usa.childcareaware.org](mailto:news@usa.childcareaware.org).

# How the pandemic has forced a new generation of latchkey kids

 November 15, 2021

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

TODAY Show (NBC)

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Overnight, millions of children became latchkey kids as after school programs shuttered, and remaining programs raised prices and reduced available slots.

"Having 7.7 million children in 2020 who don't have access to care and are left alone and unsupervised is certainly a concern," Dr. Lynette Fraga, CEO Child Care Aware, told TODAY Monday.

"So many of these programs shut down. And either temporarily, or unfortunately, many shut down permanently," Fraga said. "And this has really caused, of course, a tremendous challenge for parents who are accessing care."

[Watch the story](https://www.today.com/parents/how-pandemic-forced-new-generation-latchkey-kids-t238822).

 Topics: [Media Mention](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/media-mention)

### Written by [CCAoA](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/author/ccaoa)

Previous Post

[![CCAoA Statement on the Announcement of the Build Back Better Framework](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/The%20White%20House%20on%20a%20beautiful%20summer%20day%2c%20Washington%2c%20DC..png)

](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-statement-on-the-announcement-of-the-build-back-better-framework)

[CCAoA Statement on the Announcement of the Build Back Better Framework](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-statement-on-the-announcement-of-the-build-back-better-framework)

Next Post

[![CCAoA Statement on House Passage of Build Back Better Act](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/congress-lp1.png)

](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-statement-on-passage-of-build-back-better-act-in-house-of-representatives)

[CCAoA Statement on House Passage of Build Back Better Act](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-statement-on-passage-of-build-back-better-act-in-house-of-representatives)

### Types of Media

- [Media Mention (94)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/media-mention)
- [News (7)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/news)
- [Policy & Advocacy (5)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/policy-advocacy)
- [Press (53)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/press)
- [Press Release (42)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/press-release)
- [Provider Appreciation Day 2025 (1)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/provider-appreciation-day-2025)
- [Workforce (1)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/workforce)

[See all](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/how-the-pandemic-has-forced-a-new-generation-of-latchkey-kids#)

**

![CCA Logo/Homepage link](https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/logo-footer.png)![CCA Logo/Homepage link](https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/logo-footer.png)

** Military Families

 × Close Panel

**

### Military Families

 × Close Panel

**

 × Close Panel