In the heat of the pandemic, as coronavirus cases escalated, businesses closed, and the entire public school system, many child care facilities across the country were told to continue operation.
When considering child care workers vs. public school teachers, the former believe they lack support. Maria Collier, who runs the Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation in Brooklyn, noted, "Child care providers are deemed essential workers, but not even included with school closures."
The Need for Parents to Return to Work
Public school educators, teachers' union leaders, and school officials across the country have drawn the line on when they are responsible for children. The common sentiment is that public school teachers should not be the ones to supervise these children so parents can return to work.
Public school educators were able to teach or work from home. Meanwhile, child care providers became the substitute for schools for the children who cannot do online learning.
Support for Child Care Workers Vs. Public School Teachers
Child care centers, daycare, and after-school providers continued to give care and supervision to children, albeit in the classroom teachers vacated for in-person instruction due to safety measures.
As child care providers' important role became emphasized during the pandemic, there has been a move to seek more protection and support from the industry. In particular, there is hope that child care will be integrated into the broader U.S. education system, NYTimes reported.
Julie Kashen, director of the women's economic justice at the Century Foundation, noted, "Public education is treated as the public good it is, but the same is not done for child care-such a false dichotomy between them."
More Support Coming for Child Care Experts
Now, child care providers are given hope. First, nearly $40 billion is planned for the child care industry from the American Rescue Plan. Also, President Biden included child care workers to be prioritized for Covid-19 vaccination alongside teachers. They are to receive a shot in March.
Previously states like Ohio, Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Wyoming prioritized educators over child care employees to receive the vaccine.
Kristen Maxon, director of a nursery school in Washington, spoke up, saying, "child care workers must receive vaccinations for they swallowed their fears, showing up to work every day during the pandemic to provide crucial care for the children."
In line with President Biden's directive, Rite Aid now prioritized vaccine schedules for teachers, school staff, as well as child care workers, WGAL reported.
Child care workers and family child care providers, and Head Start & Early Head Start staff will be prioritized for vaccine appointments alongside staff and educators for Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. Child care workers can still get vaccinated on March 26, Friday, and March 27, Saturday.
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COVID Relief Support Going to Child Care Providers
The Biden Administration and Congress signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act last week with $39 billion funding for child care providers, CNBC reported.
The new law also adds $1 billion that will go to the Head Start program. In addition, the Congress provided $10 billion relief package for child care providers in December. The funds can be used towards expenses for sanitation, rent, payroll, as well as relief for struggling families.
Yet, Melissa Boteach, vice president for the income security and early learning and child care at the National Women's Law Center revealed that there is still more to be done. "It is vital to address the underlying inequities that made child care providers so vulnerable to the pandemic."
These include lack of assistance as many children eligible for child care assistance are unable to receive support. Many low-income families continue to struggle to pay for child care even before the pandemic. Further, child care workers are paid low, earning an average of nearly $12 an hour without paid family leave or health insurance.
