CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Day care center workers rallied for adequate funding as part of "National Day without Child Care” Monday. This comes as pandemic-era funding that helped child care centers is set to run out at the end of next month.
The North Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Council reports that if that funding is not replenished, 90% of centers will have to increase tuition and fees in the upcoming year. About three out of 10 programs will close this summer. That means in North Carolina, nearly 92,000 kids could be without child care.
The message was loud and clear at the community rally at the Pathway Preschool Center. Signage like "Nothing works without child care," "You can’t put students first if you put teachers last," and "Educators are the future" were posted throughout the event.
Child care providers and families are calling on lawmakers to invest in child care so providers can keep their doors open, which in turn keeps parents working and the economy flowing.
They said the child care industry is hanging on the ledge.
“Without child care, I would not be able to work,” parent Stephanie Misko told WCNC Charlotte. “It’s already costing us a mortgage to send our children to daycare for the week.”
The call to action comes with more urgency as pandemic grants are set to end on June 30.
Providers are using their outside voices, demanding thriving wages, and an equitable, stable and affordable child care system.
Karen Smith-Jones is the owner of Nana’s Place Learning Center and she took the stand during the rally.
“Parents can’t afford to pay more,” Smith-Jones said. “Child care programs can’t afford to pay teachers more and early education teachers can’t afford to stay for such low wages. It is hard."
After COVID, Smith-Jones said her facility stopped offering care for infants and toddlers because she doesn’t have the staff for it. Meanwhile, she said the phone is ringing off the hook with families looking for spots for children that age.
“It makes me sad for those who have to stay and accept low wages,” Misko said. “It makes me sad for the children and as a parent, it is stressful.”
Misko said it takes a village and she sees the power of these educators through her daughters.
“In fact, her (daughter's) first steps were taken here,” Misko said. “Her teacher said 'June, I know you can do it,' and stood on one side and June walked right to her.”
With every step, Misko's daughter was building her confidence and skills to climb the mountains ahead.
“She (daughter) feels strong and empowered to use her voice,” Misko said. “To try new things and that is because of the work of her teachers here at Pathway.”
Advocates want lawmakers to act now and take the child care system off the ledge.
“It might mean hard decisions, but you need to put money in this now or we will suffer,” Misko said.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.