It’s time for lawmakers to take bold action to fix our child care crisis.
Our Guiding Principles
Equitable
Our vision is a targeted universal child care system rooted in racial, gender, and disability justice that works for all involved—parents, providers, and our kids. A new system must support wider economic growth and shared prosperity across the socioeconomic spectrum. Care must be accessible through “one-door” and easy to navigate for parents, providers, community navigators, and case managers.
High Quality & Affordable
A new system must be publicly-funded and affordable or free to all families. Parents must have the ability to choose their child’s care provider, setting, and be informed with the information they want and need when making that choice. Care must be offered all days and times families need it.
Community-Led
Our new system must be accountable to and governed by the parents and providers who most need it. A new system must truly support everyone’s needs and consider the economic security and well-being of our families. In this new system, the strength of grassroots organizing and base building are recognized.
Safe & Inclusive
Our new system will be informed by the different identities and needs of parents, providers, and children, which is what makes it truly comprehensive. All provider types must be included and care must be offered in a variety of settings that fits every family and child’s needs. Care must be culturally appropriate, reflective, and safe, and offered in the languages our families speak.
Developmentally Appropriate
A new child care program must be accessible to all families with children ages 0-13, including care for some families who need care for older children and young adults; with targeted focus on prioritizing the needs of BIPOC children, families and providers. A new system must be safe and support every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical health and development.
Centered on the Value of Caregivers
A new system must value the work of caregivers, especially Black and Indigenous women, women of color, and immigrant women, and ensure they receive the equitable pay and benefits they deserve for their work. Training and services that support workforce development and that is offered to all provider types.