Suffolk County Perspectives on the Child Care Crisis
Common Start has collected stories from Suffolk Country residents who share their experiences with the early education and child care system in their community. Parents, educators and providers are looking for system transformation to ensure a more equitable system
Marie-Francis R., a local parent, tells us that “childcare is important to me and is important to many other working parents that I know because we need a safe environment with caring adults to send our children, and also a place where they can socialize with other young people. We urgently need federal funds here in Massachusetts to support child care, and also additional state investment to make sure that all children, regardless of their parents' income, regardless of their zip code, are able to access safe and affordable child care.” Marie-Francis outlines the importance for all families to be able to access child care in order to cultivate strong young people.
Another parent, Mikeya explains how “When I had my first son, he didn't go to daycare because I couldn't afford it. Thankfully his grandmother worked nights, so she kept them during the day and she didn't charge me, it was great. However, it shocked me to the core, when I had to pay out of pocket when she could no longer keep him. I remember so well learning that my full time job, I was making maybe $18 an hour, was considered over the income guidelines, so I couldn't get the assistance that I needed, but I didn't have enough to afford childcare on my own.” Facing a financial struggle that many parents in the state experience, Mikeya has had to turn to help from a grandparent, something that is the last resort for many families.
Brittany B. explains other common struggles families face when looking at child care options: “I started searching for child care three years ago, when I was pregnant with my first, and we found that a lot of centers didn't take babies or it was a lot more expensive for [young kids], so we decided that an in home daycare would probably be best for us.”
She goes on to add that “I also work for Boston Public Schools, so the idea of paying through the summer for care we didn't need seemed like a lot… I have to weigh if it's worth it to spend my whole salary to keep my job and my sanity and send both my kids [to child care].”
Carmen S. also explains the financial burden seen in the child care and early education system, but through the lens of an educator: “We are underpaid. Poverty line is $40,000 and we make about that. I have to work two jobs. This one and another job after here to survive, to pay my rent, lights, gas, my car insurance, my car, my food, my clothing. It's just not enough. I've been struggling for many, many years. There are days that I don't know where I'm going to come [up] with the rent money. It's really hard for a young, single parent to do this job and survive.” Carmen stays in her role because of her passion and love for it, yet the economic burden is extremely stress-inducing.
Similarly, Chandler A., an educator says Chandler A. - My takeaway from… my experience as a teacher supports that preschool teachers' mental health is vital to the success of their students. When choosing this job, we do so to improve. But over time, being valued less with increased responsibilities and barely making enough money for the essentials to live affects us greatly, and therefore affects our children… The early childcare education system is very flawed, and every participant in this system is being negatively affected.”
The experiences of these Suffolk County individuals reflect a larger problem seen across the state. Accessibility and affordability of early education and child care is limited, and, for so many, not even an option. Common Start is working to change this narrative and provide a system that works for every family.