Lily Pad Learning Center to Host “A Day Without Child Care” Event Monday 5/8 (Audio)

WHAT:  Child Care Changemakers Day Without Child Care event is May 8, 2023 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Lily Pad Learning Center, 848 4th Street, Fond du Lac.   This day is a National Day of Action to bring awareness to early care and education/childcare and its foundational role in our communities and economic success bringing educators, families, childcare program business owners, other business owners, and community members together.

WHY: The Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher is one of the most impactful teachers a person will ever have in their lifetime. Given that 90% of brain development occurs during the first 5 years of life, making those years the foundation years of determining the type of person they will grow into.  When children experience quality early childhood education, they are more likely to graduate from high school, more likely to be healthier both physically and mentally, and more likely to earn higher income wages.  Additionally, children are also less likely to enter the penal system and less likely to need public assistance when they receive quality early childhood care.  The research is unequivocal that it is the relationship between the ECE teacher and the child that determines the quality of care.  Furthermore, it is that relationship that can also buffer children against adversity like living in poverty, exposure to violence, and trauma.  The ECE teacher is extremely valuable. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Parents currently pay 15%-24% of their income PER CHILD and the rate that is considered to be affordable is 7% of income total
• Over 50% of early childhood educators have at least an Associate’s degree, but only make $12.66 with zero benefits. To compare, statewide those with associate’s make over $18 an hour and have benefits. However, parents cannot pay more than they already are making it impossible to increase wages and offer benefits to early childhood educators. (It was $10.66 in 2021, but the federal American Rescue Plan funds that end in Jan 2024 have enabled programs to pay slightly better without substantially increasing rates).  The childcare industry is supported on the backs of those teachers, and this approach is harmful to our children and our economy. The reason wages are low is because child care businesses cannot charge the true cost of care and remain affordable for working parents.
• The lack of child care availability to workers is costing the Wisconsin economy $4.2-6.1 Billion per year. www.childcaregap.org
• For every dollar invested into early childhood education, we get $6.80 back for typically developing children and up to $15 back for children with special needs (The Economics of Early Childhood Investments, Dec. 2014 by the Executive Office of the President of the United States)
• Children who receive quality early childhood education have higher graduation rates and lower crime rates. Their lifetime earnings are also 1.3%-3.5% higher-so the statewide result of quality early child care is increased GDP and significant savings in our judicial/prison system and lower crime rates.
• Without the additional Child Care Counts Funding to be added to the budget, many centers will reduce hours, increase tuition costs to families, and even close their doors. This will be detrimental to our communities if we do not act now!

Click below to listen to Angela Wilson from Lily Pad Learning Center join KFIZ Today to talk about the upcoming event, as well as the issues facing the childcare industry.