RALEIGH, N.C. — Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday to support early childhood education across the Tar Heel State.
The demonstration started at 10 a.m. and consisted of parents, teachers, students, and child care providers who wanted to explain why state lawmakers should invest more to ensure early childhood educators have what they need to succeed.
They said they want the state legislature to double the investment in child-care teachers' pay and benefits, accessible and affordable child care for all students, and more funding for child-care providers.
This demonstration is happening as COVID-19 pandemic relief funds are set to expire. The federal government sent North Carolina $800 million in child care stabilization grants during the pandemic.
"We are in a crisis. By the end of the year when the stabilization grant money is scheduled to end for staffing, if they do not do something for our staff, we will be in an even worse situation. It will be like a mass exodus of seasoned employees leaving," said Emma Biggs, director at Pathway Preschool Center in Charlotte.
Day care providers are struggling to find qualified staff, and low pay is a big issue. Advocates say when day care centers can’t care for children, it sets off a domino effect that hurts working families, businesses, and essentially the economy.
"I don't have the capacity to take any more children unless I have staff, but I do have three empty classrooms," Biggs continued.
Biggs joined the early child care workforce and now runs her own center. Thursday, she went to Raleigh advocating for state leaders to invest in a system that she says has been broken for years.
Jenna Nelson, the North Carolina Early Education Coalition's executive director, said day care providers are at their breaking point while families struggle to keep up with the costs of child care.
"Families can't afford to pay more. Families typically spend well more than their mortgage on a monthly for childcare," said Nelson. "They spend well more than a college education."
She adds it comes down to public investments.
"We can't wait for a rainy day. We have to invest today to keep our economy going to ensure that families have high-quality experiences for young children, and to ensure that the teachers who care for them all day are well compensated," Nelson said.
Meanwhile, local day care centers stood in solidarity and hosted events of their own.
"We stand united today that companies need early childhood to be healthy and in place... and companies need teachers to be in place so they can thrive so these wonderful parents know their children are being well cared for in every part of our state," said Rhonda Rivers, the regional director of education at LeafSpring School.
At their Charlotte McAlpine location alone, Rivers said they have three classrooms they can’t open because they do not have enough teachers. She adds that means seats for about 65 to 70 kids are left open.
Families and educators marched around the school campus holding signs in support. They are also sending postcards to local and state representatives to let them know they need them to get on board and provide increased and sustainable funding for child care providers.
“Day cares are struggling. When you go there they say they want to take your daughter but we don’t have enough staff so they put you on waiting lists," said Dany Patton, a Charlotte mom.
After months of waitlists and inquiries, Patton was able to find placement for her 2-year-old daughter at LeafSpring School. It's an experience many working parents are facing.
"To afford a life here in Charlotte, both parents need to work, and if you want to work full time you need someone to take care of your child," said Patton.
Day cares across the state are facing staffing shortages and seeing longer waitlists.
During Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's State of the State address in early March, he mentioned early childhood education, saying "a great workforce requires real investment from cradle to career, and it starts with early childhood education at quality child care centers."
In late March, a bipartisan group of North Carolina lawmakers said they plan to prioritize early childhood education during this legislative session.
There are five bills that could impact North Carolina's early childhood education system that are being considered this session so far, including bills that increase state funding for child care subsidies, extend federal child care compensation grants, and reform the quality rating system for child care centers.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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