Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/transforming-child-care-policy-recommendations-to-create-a-stronger-more-equitable-system/5025814/
Child care providers know better than most that the current child care system is not working. Parents are unable to locate or afford quality care; providers and teachers are unable to support themselves or their businesses because of unfair compensation; employers lose productivity every time an employee cannot secure reliable child care; and children who could flourish under the care and teaching of an early childhood educator are falling behind on the relationships and experiences critical to their growth and development.
But here is the good news: we can fix child care so that it works better for everyone. With collective effort, we can build a child care system that helps children grow and learn, that helps parents find and keep employment, and that allows providers to make a fair living, with dignity, doing some of the most important work our future requires.
Since the pandemic began, the media has covered child care system failures more regularly and policymakers continue to hear from constituents about child care closures that undermine parents’ ability to work. Governors and legislators finally see that the child care system is in desperate need of support.
These factors have contributed to a rare moment for the child care movement. ...