Let’s talk about the shock families face when they begin the search for #ChildCare. 🧵
#ChildCare will likely cost more than their monthly mortgage or rent, and more than one year of tuition at a state public university. Most families have no option to lower costs. That's just affordability, though. What about access?
About half of families live in #ChildCare deserts, with no safe or affordable options. When they do find child care, many have to be put on a wait list – sometimes it can be 18 months long. For parents without #PaidLeave, this isn't realistic. And what about quality of care?
Early educators and #ChildCare workers are primarily women ( and women of color), are among the lowest paid workers in EVERY state and experience poverty almost 8 times higher than k-8 teachers. More on that here from @CSCCEUCB: cscce.berkeley.edu/workforce-inde…
The research clearly shows early educators do not make a livable wage, rely on assistance, and usually have second jobs just to survive. That means #ChildCare is not affordable or accessible to people returning to work - and isn't sustainable for the child care providers.
Essentially, parents can’t afford to pay, workers can’t afford to stay. There must be a better way. #ChildCare
That better way? The #BuildBackBetter agenda, which guarantees #ChildCare assistance for eligible kids, better wages for early educators, free #UniversalPreschool for 3&4 year olds, and more.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
