Middlesex County Perspectives on the Child Care Crisis
We have heard from various parents, educators, and providers across Middlesex County who have generously shared their stories with us concerning their experiences with the early education and child care system.
For example, Margaret M., a clinical director of an early childhood program serving the greater Lowell community, mentions that “one of the many challenges that we have is rebuilding and maintaining a strong high quality and diverse workforce. We know this is shared by all of our other early childhood partners, and we also need to address the issues of salary equity.”
Susan B., another educator at a local preschool, agrees. She states how “hard it is to make ends meet” and urges that “we [in the child care system] need funding.”
Farzaneh P., a director of an early childhood center in Newton, experienced numerous setbacks in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Her plea echoes both Susan and Margaret’s concerns: “It is very important for legislators to know that the burden…is on their shoulders.”
Meanwhile, Sarah T. M., a local parent, says that “my husband and I both work. Childcare allows us to have meaningful careers. It also allows our youngest, who has Down Syndrome, to see peer models. This has been instrumental in his ability to learn how to walk. However, almost all of one of our paychecks goes towards daycare. It's crippling… If we had this program [Common Start], we would be able to save for retirement.” Sarah highlights what so many other local parents are facing: the necessity of high quality childcare that is affordable and accessible.
These individuals and their experiences demonstrate the urgency of Common Start to cultivate a more equitable and healthy future for all.