When we looked at the results of our recent survey, we heard many of you tell us that it feels like no one is paying attention to the struggles child care providers face every day. We wanted to share some of the news from across our state — and across the country — that highlights the critical work and the painful realities of operating (or choosing to close) a child care program in the current crisis.

We hope that this will give you some small reassurance that there are people who care, who are listening, and who are doing their best to make things right. Recognition of your hardships may not feel like much to celebrate, but the more we can make our communities aware of the importance of our work, the stronger our advocacy voice becomes.
The Nation is Listening
Saving Child Care to Save Our Economy: America’s Governors Must Take Action
This recent piece by NAEYC CEO Rhian Evans Allvin was sent to Governor Cuomo with NYAEYC as a co-signer. It requests that emergency funding from CCDBG should be spent immediately to support both currently operational child care programs and those that have closed.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith have a plan to fix the pandemic child care crisis
"The plan, posted on Medium on Wednesday and provided to Vox exclusively ahead of publication, would set aside $50 billion for America’s child care system in the next coronavirus relief package. The money would be used in three main ways: to provide hazard pay and other support to those still caring for the children of essential workers, to help other providers keep paying their staff while they are closed, and to shore up the child care system (including boosting wages) for the future."

Local News Recognizes the Importance of Child Care
Buffalo: Women are disproportionately burdened by COVID-19, Lt. Governor Hochul says
“[Women] are literally leading the charge into battle every single day. For that they deserve recognition and ultimately continue the conversation about child care and how important it is for them."

This piece highlights the advocacy work of the Empire State Campaign for Childcare and Winning Beginning NY on behalf of child care providers.

Albany: Many day care sites won't make it beyond COVID-19
"New York should take a comprehensive action to stabilize the industry, including paying the child care fees of essential workers, according to Dorothy (Dede) Hill, director of policy at the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy."

New York City: The Last Daycares Standing
"In places where most child cares and schools have closed, in-home family daycares that remain open aren’t seeing the demand — or the support — they expected."

“These women are scared,” says [Gladys] Jones. “I know of a provider in Far Rockaway who is 83. We can’t just use these people and throw them away.”

Chautauqua: Beth Starks Keeps Her Community Informed
Beth Starks, one of our Chautauqua Chapter leaders, has been working hard to keep child care as a forefront issue in her community while keeping parents who are essential workers informed. You can read the most recent article featuring her here: Funding issues shut 11 area child care centers

You can also see her sharing information in this PSA, this piece on the impacts on child care and resources for parents, this piece getting the word out about child care availability, and this story that asserts that the work of child care educators is needed now more than ever.
Queensbury: Child Care Helps Everyone
Letter to the Editor from Lynn Sickles of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network

"With essential workers hailed as heroes, we want to remember another part of the essential workforce — the child care providers who care for the children of other essential workers... [The decision for a program to remain open or close is] taken seriously, and still today, many providers have situations arise that require them to constantly re-evaluate their decisions. They need support and recognition for their choices, whether they have chosen to close or open their doors to children and families."

Is Your Voice Missing?
Has child care been featured in the local news in your area? If we missed it for this round-up, feel free to send us an email and we will share it in the future.

If you haven't seen child care in the local news, now is your opportunity to share your voice and make sure your community recognizes your hard work:


New York Needs You to Fill Out the Census

The communities that have been historically under-counted in the Census are some of the very same communities facing the brunt of the pandemic. An accurate count is harder to do, but more important, than ever: it will be used to determine hospital, housing, and school funding for the next ten years.

Right now, New York's response rate is lower than the national average, but you can play a part in helping boost the count. In your communications with families, coworkers, and your communities, make sure to include a reminder to fill out the Census. Provide reassurance that it is safe, confidential, and quick to fill out by computer, by phone, or by mail .

Zero to Three has compiled a list of resources you can share with families here .