Vote with high-quality child care in mind this fall

For 30-plus years I have been working in a profession that requires constant advocacy to succeed. For many years I felt deflated and defeated because, as an early childhood educator, I just wanted to teach in a high-quality program, be able to work with children and earn a living wage. It always felt like we, as a profession, would take two steps forward and then another three steps back. A lot of times it depended on who were our elected officials, what their agenda was and how much funding they allotted -- or in some cases, cut. We “hung in there” because we all love the children.

The issue is, most child care programs operate on a failed business model, also called a “broken market” or “market failure.” Rather than follow the laws of supply and demand, providers limit what they charge based on what families in their community can afford, working with government agencies to provide subsidies to the few families who qualify, and providing scholarships or discounting tuition when they can. The problem is that we keep our programs affordable by charging families less than the actual cost of care – and that is only possible because of the poverty-level wages in the child care sector. Program leaders find ourselves climbing the Keystone Stars quality rating scale to get higher reimbursement rates and writing complex grants trying to obtain a level of funding that actually pays a “true cost” that the profession can get excited about. These grant funded programs are the only way some teachers can make a living wage even slightly comparable to what the school districts can pay.  

Ask any parent how they feel about what they are paying for child care and, outside those with government support (or “subsidy”), they will tell you it is as expensive as college tuition -- except without the scholarships or loans. Just for the honor and privilege to have a job, if you have children you must pay for peace of mind. Very expensive peace of mind.

In the profession of early childhood education, also known as Child Care, we have become dependent upon government, especially programs serving families in areas with socio-economic challenges. But what happens to our profession and our own family’s peace of mind if a candidate is elected who has no stance on early childhood education? What happens if all of the existing funding goes away? We know from piles of research that every dollar we invest in early childhood education saves society at least 10 times that investment in the future. This return on investment has never been more important.

I hear every day, “my vote doesn’t matter.” But does it? Now, more than ever, voting matters. Government funding is needed by so many working families, just to have someone care for their child while they work. What happens to our state’s economy if funding for child care just goes away because people do not vote? I can’t allow myself to think about that. In Pennsylvania this November, every state House seat and every other Senate seat is up for election, not to mention the governor. Each one of us can strengthen the economy by researching our candidates’ stances on supporting working families, child care and the educators working in child care. Children Matter Action Fund asked each candidate what their stance is on these questions and is posting their responses here: https://childrenmatteractionfund.org/candidate-responses-2022/

You have until 10/24/22 to register to vote in the election on 11/8/22. You can register here https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx, find your voting location and begin to plan when and how you will get there. Alternatively, you can also learn how to vote by mail. Mail-in applications must be completed by 11/1/22 and your ballots must be turned in by 8 pm on voting day, Tuesday November 8th. Children in Pennsylvania thank you, their parents thank you, and the profession that is in danger of crumbling definitely thanks you!

Ruby Martin, M.Ed has over 30 years working in early childhood education as a teacher, leader, instructor and training facilitator. She is an active advocate for statewide and federal support of early childhood/child care programs. She is a York City resident.