Family Child Care Providers are fighting to earn the true cost of care and expand child care options for working families.
The current child care payment system for family child care providers is outdated and fails to meet the needs of providers across the state. This system is rooted in historical racism and sexism, which devalues the work of women and people of color. We’re fighting to change that.
Child Care Can’t Wait
The state must take urgent action to reform the current child care payment system. Paying providers fair pay for quality child care means compensating them for all the work, time, and costs necessary to provide quality care.
This single change will have a significant impact on our state. It will expand child care options for working families so that all of California’s children will have access to quality early learning and care. It will allow working parents to maintain their jobs, generating economic growth for California.
What’s Happening NOW in Child Care
WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR
California child care providers allow working parents to do their jobs every day, knowing their children are in a safe and caring learning environment.
Together in their union, Child Care Providers United, providers are fighting to win respect for their profession and improve child care options for working parents. In their current contract negotiations with the State of California, providers are fighting for:
Fair Pay that is based on the true cost of running a child care business
Currently, the state of California uses an outdated payment system that does not cover the true cost of care and severely undervalues the experience and commitment of family child care providers. As a result, this women-of-color led workforce has long struggled to survive on rates that meet just 25-30% of their current costs to provide quality child care.
Stability in the child care industry
We’re fighting for all providers to have retirement benefits, health care, and paid time off. Respecting the profession by offering providers the same benefits as other educators will ensure family child care providers can continue to do the work they love and more providers will enter the profession.
Increased Access to Quality, Affordable Child Care for Working Families
Providers are demanding increased funding for more child care vouchers for families and a permanent end to family fees. Additionally, an expansion of hard-to-find child care for families needing help on weekends and evenings or for children who have special needs, by increasing pay for providers offering these services.
