Guest column: Access to affordable, high-quality child care imperative – Telegram & Gazette
By Tempe Staples and Casey Burns
Today’s families are busier than ever, often needing more than one income and desperately needing child care.
A 2021 NPR poll found that 34% of families with young children face serious problems finding child care when adults need to work. The poll also found that 44% of households with children under age 18 face serious financial problems. That figure jumps to 63% for Black families and 59% for Latino households. While high-quality, safe child care for young children is expensive, the U.S. spends less public money on early childhood education and care than most other wealthy nations.
These alarming statistics were reinforced when the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester commenced a 100-plus-person interview process to learn what changes in our community were required to make Greater Worcester a champion of health equity. Access to affordable, high-quality child care quickly emerged as a policy priority…
As the largest community health coalition in Central Massachusetts, we support access to affordable, high-quality child care for all families, as outlined in the Common Start plan for Massachusetts.
Affordable, high-quality child care plays a pivotal role in promoting early childhood development, which has a profound impact on long-term health and well-being. During the critical early years, children develop crucial cognitive, social and emotional skills that form the foundation for future success. By providing access to safe and nurturing environments, affordable, high-quality child care ensures that children receive the stimulation, care and support necessary for their optimal growth and development.