Louisiana’s early child care providers are struggling to keep their doors open amid rising operating costs, according to a new survey that could spell trouble for a state where thousands of families lack access to affordable child care.

About half of providers said their monthly revenues don’t always cover their expenses, according to an online survey conducted in June by the advocacy group Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. Nearly 8 in 10 of 728 respondents said they worry about being able to operate their business over the next six months.

The providers cited rising costs of food, cleaning and classroom supplies and insurance, with premiums increasing by an average of more than $7,000 last year, the survey found. At the same time, the Louisiana Legislature has cut early childhoo

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