Child Care Providers Need Our Help

http://www.afscmeblog.org/category/child-care/

Child Care Providers Need Our Help
Monday, October 22nd, 2007

With all of the standing, walking, bending, stooping and lifting their work requires, child care providers have one tough job. Yet, the average provider earns a below-poverty-rate income (for a family of four) of just $18,820 a year.

These dedicated professionals deserve better. That’s why Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) have introduced “The Quality Child Care for America Act.” The legislation would provide an annual $200 million to increase providers’ earnings, and help with their health insurance coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave and professional training.

AFSCME, which represents more than 300,000 child care providers and early childhood educators – including nearly 60,000 who joined the union just this past year – will work to pass this bill.

Watch this video to hear AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee announce his support of The Quality Child Care for America Act. To read more about the bill, click here. For more about child care providers’ jobs, see this U.S. Department of Labor report.