1/7 @FirstUpEarlyEd, @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Janel A. Work. I am the owner of Kiddie Academy and the pandemic has completely crippled our childcare centers.
2/7 Prior to the pandemic, these centers were already being run at a tight budget. However, the business generally looked sustainable. We had a waitlist for parents who wanted to enroll their children, so we thought we’d be stable.
3/7 That changed dramatically due to the coronavirus. Currently, our enrollment has fallen by 50%. We have lost around $500k at each location. Our landlords have not given us a break. We are barely making operational costs.
4/7 At the onset of the pandemic, we had a huge turnover in staff. Naturally, we had to hire many more people to replace them, and then hire additional people to manage safety measures such as temperature checks and sanitization.
5/7 This appears to have worked since we have luckily had no cases at our centers, but our current staff is still understandably worried about the health risks. Everyday, they necessarily risk themselves and their families to work.
6/7 Whereas before they had felt valued at Kidde Academy, the staff now feels underpaid for the increased danger of working. I do not blame them; however, with our lack of funding, there is no way to compensate them for these circumstances.
7/7 Without some kind financial relief, I worry Kiddie Academy cannot sustain into next year. Our outgoing costs are too high, and our enrollment is too low. Please, the working class depends on your support. #FundChildCare #SaveChildCare @StartStrongPA

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More from @FirstUpEarlyEd

18 Dec
1/8 @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Tracia, and I am the regional director of Kinder Academy Inc. As you can imagine, my work has altered since the onset of the pandemic.
2/8 To make the environment as safe as possible, I have broken up the staff and families into cohorts. This is not easy; however, I am happy to take on this task to alleviate pressure from my staff. Yet, these bubbles aren’t perfect.
3/8 While forming these small cohorts has been a necessary safety measure, it has not been without consequence. The unity and sense of community amongst our staff has diminished; everyone feels as if they are in their own separate world.
Read 8 tweets
18 Dec
1/4 @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Widalys Ruiz, owner of the Ruiz Family childcare in Lancaster. The coronavirus has impacted my business, and I want to tell you about it.
2/4 As with most childcare centers, we have experienced a drop in enrollment and income due to the pandemic. Our center used to have 10 children, but we currently have 4. Additionally, sanitation costs are adding up.
3/4 With revenue cut nearly in half, we need extra income to continue sanitizing the place. The extra maintenance is costly, while completely necessary to keep everyone safe, is taking its toll in the long run.
Read 4 tweets
18 Dec
1/8 @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Antoinette Cooper. I work in an early childcare center, and the pandemic has changed my job.
2/8 The center I work at is heavily integrated with its community. In the past, many of the staff members became friends with the parents, now that capacity in the building is limited, the whole interaction has become less personal.
3/8 It’s much harder to foster a positive relationship and a sense of trust with people whom you barely see. To make matters worse, enrollment has dropped, further isolating this place from its neighbors, and decreasing the center’s revenue.
Read 8 tweets
17 Dec
1/4 Join us Dec 18, as child care providers across PA to share their stories. Why? Congress has not yet passed another relief package. With low enrollment, staff scarcity, unpaid bills & no picture of what tomorrow will bring, providers don't know if their business will survive!
2/4 We need the federal government to allocate more funding to support child care programs so they can survive this crisis. Help by joining us in a state-wide story sharing event from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm so federal elected officials can hear from the Early Childhood community!
3/4 Share on your favorite social media platform; Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. 1) Prepare your story ahead of time so you can easily post/tweet. 2) You can use your answers to the Qs on this form for your draft. 3) Use pictures to show the people affected by this crisis!
Read 4 tweets
6 Aug
1/7 Can Each One Reach One to #SaveChildCare?
We have asked and you have answered time and time again this year. We now have a special and urgent request.....can you commit to reaching out to just ONE MORE PERSON not yet engaged and ask them to help us #SaveChildCare?
2/7 We have NOT SECURED the funding child care programs need to KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN. Both the US House and US Senate have laid out proposals to include stabilization funding and there is clear agreement among Republicans and Democrats that the success of America's economic...
3/7 recovery will be contingent on whether child care providers receive the emergency financial relief they need to stay in business. BUT NONE OF THAT MATTERS if Congressional leaders & the White House don't prioritize child care in the final negotiations! SO what are we asking?
Read 7 tweets
30 Jun
1/4 Our next story: I am a #family #childcare provider in business over 8 years in PHL; also a mother of 1. My program serves 6 children from 6 weeks - school age in the W. Philadelphia and surrounding area. I employ members of the community to work in my program. #FundChildCare
2/4 My program is 1 of 32 centers partnering w/ @FreeLibrary of Philly's Literacy in Early Learning Spaces project funded by @Vanguard_Group Strong Start for Kids. I've received intensive coaching & Professional Development in literacy & language development. #FundChildCare
3/4 This program has helped me increase the quality of my childcare program. Since beginning this program in Fall 2019, I've been able to provide literacy resources to low income families in my community through our childcare program and family engagement events. #FundChildCare
Read 4 tweets

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