Nationwide – Yesterday, Community Change Action hosted a press conference to preview just a snapshot of the closures and actions planned across the country on May 13 when over 1,080 childcare providers and parents will close their doors or call out of work to participate in Community Change Action’s National Day Without Child Care.
Joining the virtual press conference alongside Community Change Action Co-President Dorian Warren were five people from across the country impacted by the childcare crisis in different ways. From provider, to parent, to center owner, to organizer in the movement, every perspective was shared alongside plans for how each individual plans to participate in Day Without Child Care.
“Thanks to our decades of organizing, we made progress with the Democratic-led Congress and Biden Administration to put our childcare system on a more secure footing,” said Warren. “Meanwhile, some members of the GOP are refusing to pass emergency funding for childcare, pushing our system to the brink of collapse once again. But time is running out on the game of politics they’re playing with our lives. We will demand that they do their jobs and prioritize families. Our child care system is in crisis – but our childcare movement is stronger than ever.”
With 84 events across 26 states, Day Without Child Care participants will demand thriving wages for childcare providers, affordable care for families, a childcare system built on racial and gender justice, and an expanded, inclusive tax credit.
“Without government support to fund higher wages for providers, owners of care businesses have no choice but to charge parents more for care. The obvious problem is that many families cannot afford the rate increases while also dealing with the higher household costs brought on by inflation,” said Johnny Anderson, who owns the largest family-owned care company in Utah with all 16 of his centers participating in Day Without Child Care. “A lot of parents are pulling their children from care, causing centers to struggle with lower enrollment and finances. It’s a recipe for disaster and we are seeing providers being forced to close their doors.”
“If it was not for the childcare providers who take care of my kids, I would not be able to work. I understand the struggle of not having enough money to take care of my family. I understand the struggle of not having essentials to take care of my family. I understand survival,” said Mansie Meikle, a mother of three from Queens, New York and member of ECE on the Move who was unable to work for three years because she could not find care for her kids. “And no childcare provider, who takes care of our children while we make the economy turn, should have to fight just to survive. They should be able to thrive.”
“The Pay Equity Fund has proven that excellent teachers serving the District’s most vulnerable residents can and will stay in the early learning field serving children who need it the most,” said Hope Joyner, who is fighting alongside her organization, SPACES in Action, to restore $70 million for D.C.’s Pay Equity Fund. “This funding means that teachers can take care of themselves, their families and their communities, all while taking care of other people’s most prized possessions –their children. Early childhood educators are the workforce behind workforces.”
“I believe that every child, regardless of their background, social economic status, or immigration status deserves access to quality early childhood education,” said Maria Dominguez, a mom and Spanish-immersion preschool owner from Austin, Texas closing both her centers for Day Without Child Care. “It’s not just about academic preparation; it’s about nurturing their social-emotional development, making positive connections with those around them, fostering a love for learning, and instilling in them the belief that their dreams are within reach.”
“Creo que cada niño, independientemente de su origen, situación económica social o estatus migratorio, merece acceso a una educación infantil temprana de calidad,” dice María Domínguez, madre y propietaria de un centro de preescolar de inmersión en español de Austin (Texas) que cierra sus dos centros para Un día sin cuidado infantil. “No se trata sólo de la preparación académica; se trata de nutrir su desarrollo socio-emocional, hacer conexiones positivas con los que les rodean, fomentar el amor por el aprendizaje, e inculcar en ellos la creencia de que sus sueños están a su alcance.”
“It is crucial that policymakers understand the vital role early learning centers play in our communities. We are not simply businesses: We are essential educational institutions deserving of adequate funding and support,” said Terri Simms, a center owner from Dayton, Ohio closing her center for Day Without Child Care. “I urge you to stand with us in advocating for meaningful changes to our childcare system that reflects the true value of our services. Our survival depends on it, as does the future of the countless families who rely on us for quality early childhood education.”
This year’s Day Without Child Care will make history with a record number of closures, call-outs, and participants. As our childcare crisis wages on, showing our country just how essential child care is to our communities and what consequences we will face if we don’t take action is more important than ever. Beyond Day Without Child Care, Community Change Action will continue to work within communities to empower families and care providers to fight for the 21st-century childcare system we deserve – one that allows everyone to thrive.
For more information about actions planned across the country for May 13, see our media advisory here and visit daywithoutchildcare.org.
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