Hi John,
As federal funding that boosted child care recently may not be renewed, millions of children and families may be at risk of losing access to essential care. Families are facing rising costs, and early educators continue to struggle with low wages. Join us in urging our federal elected officials to prioritize child care funding during the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations negotiations.
Here are just some of the wins that prioritizing child care investments would bring:
Access: Millions of families nationwide would gain affordable child care options. More than half of the U.S. population resides in child care deserts, with lower-income, rural, and racialized communities experiencing the greatest challenges.
Stability: Child care centers would be able to remain open, ensuring job security for early educators and staff. This is crucial, as there are more than 100,000 fewer child care providers than before the pandemic.
Support: Increased funding would lead to better wages and conditions for early educators nationwide. Alarmingly, child care workers earn a nationwide average of just $13.31 per hour.
Development: Children receive essential learning and development opportunities. Studies show that high-quality early education can yield a 13% return on investment, benefiting both children and society in the long run.
Please take a moment to use this easy-to-use form to contact your federal representatives and highlight the urgent need for investments in child care and early learning programs. Your voice matters. Together, let’s make sure that child care remains a priority!
In solidarity,
Marina Marcou-O'Malley
Co-Executive Director
Alliance for Quality Education
