The cost for liability insurance for Timothy Davis’s preschool has gone from about $25,000 a year in 2021 to $70,000 this year. The sharp increase has strained Davis’ budget — and his classrooms.

“At best, you’re at a stalemate. You can’t give yearly raises. You can’t make yearly improvements. You want to hire an extra teacher, but now you can’t,” said Davis, owner of Park Avenue Preschool & Child Care Center in Seminole County, which serves about 400 students. “It’s very scary. The insurance companies dictate the price. And they can charge whatever the hell they want.”

Liability insurance costs for childcare centers are on the rise across the country. Industry experts blame the spike on an increasing number of claims filed against them, though they aren’t sure what is prompting more peo

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