Investing in What Parents and Providers Value
New results from a bipartisan survey of parents and child care providers commissioned by NAEYC and MomsRising reveal a powerful message: families and early childhood educators are aligned on values, priorities, and the need for action.
Standards Keep Children Safe
Across states, political lines, and communities, data show that the vast majority of families and educators trust one another, and support policies that advance and invest in their shared vision for a child care system that is affordable, reliable, safe, and high-quality, led by qualified and respected educators, and bolstered by strong standards that protect children and the adults who care for them.
For example, nearly nine in ten parents and providers say standards and regulations are essential for keeping children safe. This means they prefer teacher-child ratios that support individualized attention, and qualified staff who can help children get the best start to life. It means they do not support policies that cut educator pay, reduce educator qualifications, or encourage programs to have more children with fewer staff.
Deregulation Is Not the Solution
States that are advancing harmful types of deregulatory policies, should take note that neither parents nor providers want these changes. That’s because they know that making educators’ jobs harder does not lead to more people doing those jobs. They understand that harmful child care deregulation does not lead to the supply increases they need. They want their states to resist making policies and cutting funds that undermine the standards and stability parents and providers agree are essential.
Instead, they want investment, respect, and right-sized regulatory systems that reflect their shared trust and commitment to young children’s well-being and learning.
Investments That Work
States that are advancing these positive types of meaningful, sustained investments, including Vermont, Connecticut, and New Mexico, should take note that parents and providers both want these changes. That’s because they know that building the supply of quality child care by investing in the compensation and education of the early childhood workforce means more families can benefit. They know it is possible for policymakers to prioritize the shared needs of parents and providers together, so that all children can thrive.
A Call to Policymakers
Families and educators are already on the same team; they need policymakers in all states and communities to join them. Now is the time to invest in quality, uphold standards, and strengthen the community that families and educators are building together.