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 child care program.
One day, when I was cleaning at the end of a workday, I began to experience palpitations and shortness of breath. After several doctor visits, I was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFIB), a condition that can cause blood clots and risk for a stroke or heart attack. My doctors put me on heart medication as a first step, but things got worse. Since then, I have had several procedures, including heart surgery.
With no other option, I took a leave of absence to receive treatment and recover. To keep the program running, I depended on my adult daughters, who decided to move back in with me and work alongside the part-time teacher I employ.
As an early childhood educator who has been shaping young minds for four decades, I am aware of the many challenges of the profession, from compensation to staffing due to lack of respect for work. 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, I sought financial help. I received state disability benefits in 2022, when my health crisis began, but they were not renewed the following year. The lack of support has made me feel frustrated and embarrassed, especially considering my long-standing service to the community.
Unfortunately, my experience is not uncommon. According to a survey administered to more than 350 early childhood educators by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), a nonprofit that supports home-based early learning programs like mine, only 16 percent of respondents They reported that their income allowed them to pay for essential benefits such as retirement. 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 winner only $32,070 a year, fair compensation, benefits and federal support are imperative. It's time to recognize the vital role we play and give ourselves the support we deserve.
The lack of adequate support for the early childhood workforce resonates throughout the child care system and impacts early childhood educators, children, and families. When experienced professionals like myself are forced to step away due to health issues or lack of financial stability, it disrupts the consistency and quality of care for the children we serve. Families are forced to scramble to find alternative arrangements and the relationships we have built with them are at risk.
Additionally, the challenges facing early childhood educators go beyond financial strains. For me, the emotional toll of facing a health crisis without a safety net was overwhelming. I entered this profession out of a genuine passion for supporting our youngest learners, but the constant stress and uncertainty of whether I would be able to keep the doors open took a toll on my well-being. I deserve something better. We all do it.
Addressing these systemic problems requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, there must be greater investment in the childcare sector to ensure that early childhood educators are fairly compensated for the invaluable work they do. This includes not only increasing wages, but also providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. Additionally, there needs to be greater awareness and advocacy around the unique challenges those of us in the profession face, with a focus on implementing policies that prioritize the well-being of child care providers and the children in their care. careful.
As for me, I am still recovering and have a number of physical limitations, but fortunately I have been able to keep my program running and have taken a more active role in advocating for early childhood educators. I served 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 mayor and local council to get involved. I am learning more about child care policies and how I, as a family child care educator, can make changes.
I have spent my entire career supporting children and their families, first as an early educator and then as the owner of my own early learning program. Next year will mark 20 years since I started working for myself and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has not been easy; However, I am very proud of the program I have created. It is a place where children are safe and loved, and where parents have peace of mind while they are away from their babies. I will continue to raise my voice and advocate for all early childhood educators. It is time for us to be recognized, supported and valued as essential contributors to society.
