NC Early Education Coalition’s Post

Spread the word.

As the parent of a child in early education I often think to myself, why is it so hard…. To want teachers to be paid well without having my family break its own budget? To make teachers and parents feel rewarded for investing in their kids, not financially cursed? To positively contribute to the overall well-being of educators without having to hurt my family's own financial well-being? For our society to value the investment in young children by setting BOTH teachers and parents up for economic success? For the #appreciation of our teachers to be embedded as a societal value and not just as a value for a week? Why is it so hard to see change in early education? In the affordability of it? In how we invest in teachers?  Why is it so hard? It's stressful, frustrating, and sad. We still have so much work to do within this system to give you-teachers, and us-parents, the economic support to have our children and their village the ability to thrive.   I thank you for continuing to champion and serve the minds of our young ones. It’s hard, it’s thankless, and it’s one of the most important things you do for our world. #teacherappreciationweek #earlyeducation #childcare #whyisitsohard

Our country’s fragile, underfunded child care system is falling short of what babies, families, and child care providers need to thrive and our economy needs to stay strong. Robust federal funding is needed to prevent the child care system from collapsing entirely, and to strengthen it so that: 👶🏽 All families have access to high-quality programs where and when they need them 👶🏽 Providers are well compensated for their skills and receive the supports that they need 👶🏽 Babies and toddlers arrive at school ready to learn and prepare for future success See how you can help: https://bit.ly/2ICvwAZ

I agree with this 100%... affordable and accessible child care is needed for all working families who want it. Federal funding, funding, funding = more child care for those who need it! #childcare #federalfunding #MIworkingfamilies #affordablechildcare #accessiblechildcare

Decisions for annual child care funding are happening right now in Washington, D. C. Congress needs to hear from you as soon as possible. Parents, Employers, and Business and Community Leaders, we are asking you to urge Congress to use the Senate numbers from the approved Labor-HHS- FY24 appropriations bill as a baseline for funding levels. Using this baseline to set FY24 Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding levels will: *continue to build a child care system that helps families, child care providers, businesses, and our economy to succeed; and *provide a $1 billion increase for child care programs from FY23. Sustained increased CCDBG funding would allow Missouri to build upon progress made with federal relief funds and continue to close the gap between existing supply and unmet needs. It will also help make child care more affordable for more families and help get families back to work, and be present at work because they have access to safe, quality child care in their community. Please share this post and take action now. Congress will vote on or around March 4th! https://lnkd.in/eA4RZdv

This article gives a great explanation as to why we’ve launched Together We Grow—to address the urgent child care crisis in Southern West Virginia. Our task force is key to finding sustainable solutions, and we need your voice, your ideas, and your support. The children, parents, and communities are relying on us. Read more in the article below to learn why your involvement matters now more than ever! 🌱 https://lnkd.in/gyK6tyht

It’s expensive to raise a child. Today’s families face significant challenges. The cost of raising children—from child care and health care to basic necessities like food and housing—remains high, even as inflation eases. Both sides of the political aisle agree: 87% of parents with infants and toddlers believe addressing the needs of children and families should be a national priority. Join us for a Town Hall this Tuesday, October 1 to hear what families are saying about the support they need to ensure their children have a strong start in life. https://bit.ly/3XHnkp9

Child-friendly spaces (CFS) are vital in fostering safety, growth, and empowerment for children and communities. They shield children from abuse, offering counseling, legal aid, and environments for safe play. CFS support families through parenting resources and access to essential services while promoting education, skills, health, and nutrition. They unite communities, preserve cultures, and serve as crisis hubs. By raising awareness and advocating for systemic change, CFS build inclusive, resilient societies. We call on communities and organizations to unite in creating child-friendly spaces to champion child protection. These spaces provide safe havens where children are shielded from harm, can access education, healthcare, and counseling, and freely express themselves through play and learning. By investing in such spaces, we strengthen families, promote resilience, and empower communities to thrive. Together, let us prioritize the well-being of our children and build a brighter, safer future for all. #carereform #childprotection #BIC

Access to high-quality and affordable child care is a well-known barrier for working mothers. With federal funding for child care during COVID-19 ending and states struggling to manage the responsibility on their own, the challenge of accessing good, affordable child care has intensified. In Idaho, despite the vital role of mothers in the workforce, more than 80% of working mothers raising children in their home say that it is somewhat or very difficult to access affordable child care. Although various factors contribute to this challenge, are employers really doing enough to support access to child care? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eJuWmAC5