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The number of children waiting for subsidized childcare in Florida has ballooned to nearly 26,000 this year as federal COVID-era funding ended and the state made more youngsters eligible for the help but chipped in no extra money.

As a result, many low-income families, already struggling with rising rents and food costs, cannot get assistance paying for childcare, a service they need to hold down jobs.

“I’ve been here 36 years, it’s the most distressing time for families that I’ve ever seen,” said Pat Cronon, owner of Hand ‘n Hand Child Enrichment in Orlando, which serves 43 children ages one month to five years.

Parents waiting for money from Florida’s School Readiness program, which administers federal subsidized childcare funds, now remai

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