FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2022

Contacts at Community Change Action:

[email protected]

[email protected]

On May 9,

National Day of Action for Child Care

Congress must invest in an equitable child care system built on racial justice, providing living wages

Washington, D.C. – On Monday May 9th, hundreds of child care educators, parents and community advocates from across the nation are holding A Day Without Child Care: National Day of Action. As the urgency of our child care crisis grows, national allies representing more than a million members are joining in solidarity with the 40 and counting actions to be led by child care providers in over 25 states.

Some providers will be going on strike by shutting their doors for the day and others are calling out sick, shutting down their centers for a few hours, or taking other actions with support from the families they serve. Child care providers have been hit hard by COVID, coming off of decades of underinvestment and unappreciation for their essential role in the local economy. And nearly half a million families are looking for child care across the country and cannot find it.

“Our economy runs on child care. We are taking action on May 9th to urge elected officials at all levels of government to invest in equitable access to affordable child care, guaranteeing access for every family who needs it and a living wage for early childhood educators,” stated Wendoly Marte, economic justice director for Community Change Action.

“As providers, we teach these amazing little people everyday to love, respect and honor themselves, yet we have been overlooked for decades. We cannot continue a system that leaves behind the very same families that are part of the economy that keeps this country going,” said Janna Rodriguez, a child care provider and organizer with Childcare Changemakers, a project of Community Change, taking part in a Day Without Child Care in New York.

“Child care is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure, but for too long it has been undervalued and underappreciated and we’re feeling the effects as more and more early educators leave the sector. There is an urgent need for public investment in the child care sector in order to support living wages that can help attract and retain qualified educators and to also ensure that families have access to affordable and reliable child care,” stated Jessica Milli, economist and author of new analysis on the child care workforce that will be released on May 9th by CLASP, NWLC, and TCF.

A survey sponsored by Community Change Action shows that regardless of political leaning, voters agree we should raise wages for the early care and education workforce.

“MomsRising stands with child care providers on the Day Without Child Care. It’s shameful that child care workers are undervalued and underpaid,” said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising. “Our failure to invest in childcare has forced countless moms out of the jobs they need. Every day is a day without child care for too many parents who can’t find or afford the quality care they need. We need to stabilize our child care system so families, businesses, and our economy can succeed.”

For more details on A Day Without Child Care events happening across the country, our demands, and a list of our national partners representing thousands of parents, providers and allies, visit: http://daywithoutchildcare.org/.

Among actions taking place on May 9:

Visit our website for a full list.

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