About two years ago, I had a health crisis that not only jeopardized my well-being, but also threatened the continuity of care for the families I serve as the owner of a home-based child care program.
One day when I was cleaning at the end of a day’s work, I started experiencing palpitations and difficulty breathing. After a series of medical appointments, I was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFIB), a condition that can lead to blood clots and the risk of stroke or heart attack. My doctors put me on cardiac medicine as a first step, but things got worse. Since then, I’ve had a number of procedures, including surgery on my heart.
Left with no choice, I took time off to receive treatment and recuperate. To keep the program running, I relied on my grown daughters, who chose to come back with me and work alongside the part-time teacher I employ.
As a long-time early childhood educator who has nurtured the minds of young people for four decades, I am aware of the profession’s many challenges, from compensation to staffing and lack of respect for the job. But this experience left me wondering where is my safety net when I get sick or look to retire as an early childhood educator?
Desperate to keep my program open even though I couldn’t work on my own, I asked for financial help. I received state disability benefits in 2022 when my health crisis began, but it was not renewed the following year. The lack of support has left me feeling frustrated and embarrassed, especially given my long service to the community.
Sadly, my experience is not unusual. According to a survey of more than 350 early childhood educators administered by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), a nonprofit organization that supports early home learning programs like mine, only 16 percent of respondents reported that their income allowed them to afford essential benefits. such as pension and health insurance.
While some states are taking steps to address various elements of the child care crisis, the reality remains: we are undervalued and overlooked. With the average child care worker making just $32,070 a year, fair compensation, benefits and federal support are imperative. It’s time to recognize the vital role we play and give us the support we deserve.
The lack of adequate support for the early childhood workforce resonates throughout the child care system, impacting early educators, children, and families. When experienced professionals like myself are forced to leave due to health concerns or lack of financial stability, it disrupts the consistency and quality of care for the children we serve. Families are left scrambling to find alternative arrangements and the relationships we have built with them are at risk.
Furthermore, the challenges facing early educators extend beyond financial strains. For me, the emotional scale of navigating a health crisis without a safety net was overwhelming. I entered the profession out of a genuine passion to support our youngest pupils, but the constant stress and uncertainty of knowing whether I would be able to keep the doors open took a toll on my wellbeing. I deserve better. We all do.
Addressing these systemic issues requires a multifaceted approach. First, there must be increased investment in the childcare sector to ensure that early educators are fairly compensated for the invaluable work we do. This includes not only raising wages, but also providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. Additionally, there needs to be greater awareness and advocacy about the unique challenges we face in this profession, with a focus on implementing policies that prioritize the well-being of child care providers and the children in their care.
As for me, I’m still recovering and have a number of physical limitations, but thankfully, I’ve been able to keep my program running and take a more active role in advocating for early childhood educators. I have sat on advisory boards to communicate the needs of family child care providers, shared my voice as a panelist on these issues, and reached out to my local mayor and council to get involved. I am learning more about child care policies and how I, as a family child care educator, can make a difference.
I have spent my entire career supporting children and their families, first as an early childhood educator and then as the owner of my own early learning program. Next year will be 20 years since I started working for myself and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It has not been easy; however, I am extremely proud of the program I have created. It’s where children are safe and loved, and where parents have peace of mind while away from their babies. I will continue to speak up and advocate for all early educators. It is time for us to be recognized, supported and valued as essential contributors to society.
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