The root cause for the crisis is a historic under-investment in education and a stubborn devaluation of caregivers and care work. Early childhood educators, who are 95% women, typically earn $11 per hour. While this is higher than Ohio’s hourly minimum wage of $9.30 per hour (and the federal minimum wage of $7.25), it is far lower than what is necessary to raise a family.
Importantly, the early childhood education crisis falls largely along race, gender and class lines. The people most likely to work in the care economy are Black and brown women, immigrants, and persons with low incomes. These are the same people who need access to early childhood education due to systematic barriers.
While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing tensions, the crisis involving access to high-quality, affordable childcare has been brewing for years. Unfortunately, when elected leaders don’t fund childcare workers, Ohio’s economy also suffers. Childcare operators are unable to hire, retain, and promote care workers. This creates vacancies and reduces capacity to serve children and families. Over the long-term, the lack of early childhood educators results in child care deserts.
This isn’t just an urban issue. And it doesn’t just affect people with children. A statewide poll commissioned by Groundwork Ohio and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies found 47% of parents with children under five have had serious problems with finding affordable childcare and meeting family responsibilities. This same study found that 60% of moms (non-working or part-time with children under five) would return to work or work more hours if they had access to quality, affordable childcare.
Elected leaders must see the benefits in caring for those who care for our kids. They must see the benefits of investing in those who invest in us. They must value the largely Black, brown, and immigrant women who ensure our kids get the early childcare and support they need.
Terri Sims is a mother of six. She founded and runs New Direction Learning Center Inc., dba Playtime Nursery School in Dayton, Ohio. Her early learning center is a five-star center.
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