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

[Media Center | Child Care Aware of America ](https://info.childcareaware.org/media)

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

 Written by [CCAoA](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/author/ccaoa) | Nov 15, 2021 7:10:44 PM

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).

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

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