Child Care Providers in Charlotte to Hold Rally and Temporarily Close for ‘Day Without Child Care’ Initiative

Charlotte’s Child Care Crisis: Providers to Shut Down for Awareness Initiative

In a significant move to draw attention to the ongoing challenges within the child care sector, nearly ten child care providers in Charlotte, North Carolina, plan to close their doors next week. This annual event is part of the “Day Without Child Care” initiative, which aims to spotlight the critical issues of funding and staffing that threaten the sustainability of these essential services. Among the participating facilities is the Pathway Preschool Center, located in East Charlotte, which serves approximately 62 children.

The initiative is centered on three vital concerns: the affordability of child care for families, the need for better wages for educators, and the necessity of increased staffing. Emma Biggs, the director of Pathway Preschool, emphasized the dire circumstances that have led to this protest. “If we could pay our staff what they are worth, we wouldn’t have quality child care issues nor would we experience such a pronounced child care desert,” she stated. Biggs indicated that the current wage structure often drives educators away from the field in search of more lucrative opportunities with less stress.

The financial landscape for child care providers has been particularly precarious in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act previously enabled these facilities in North Carolina to offer better wages and retain staff during the turbulent pandemic years. However, with the expiration of these financial supports last year, combined with the end of extended grants from state legislators in March, many providers are struggling to stay afloat.

Biggs underscored the necessity of this initiative as not merely a call for awareness but also as a means to urge elected officials to confront the systemic issues at hand. “We want to raise visibility and let people know that we are still in a crisis,” she asserted. “We can’t continue at this rate without help.”

In conjunction with the center closures, a rally will take place in front of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring parents, child care advocates, and providers who seek to amplify their message.

The financial strain on families is notable, with the average annual cost of full-time care for an infant exceeding ,000 in Charlotte. Conversely, teacher salaries remain modest, averaging around an hour according to ZipRecruiter. This disparity highlights the growing crisis in the child care sector, which not only affects providers but also places a significant burden on families, often forcing them to reconsider their employment options or child care arrangements.

As Charlotte prepares for this impactful week, the hope remains that the initiative will inspire legislative action and foster a conducive environment for child care providers to thrive, ultimately benefiting the entire community.