Childcare Workers Walk Out for Higher Wages
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Did you know that a dog walker, umpire and cosmetologist all earn more money than the teacher potty training your kid, teaching him his numbers and wiping his tears when you rip yourself from his chubby fingers to get to your early-morning meeting? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for child care providers is lower than for any of the professions named above. Just two weeks ago, child care workers in Australia walked out of work, protesting the scandalously low pay they receive. In the United States, the situation isn't any better. While childcare costs in most states are well above governmental recommendations, childcare teachers receive abysmal pay...so abysmal that they couldn't even afford their own services.
In March 2018, Childcare workers in Australia walked out of work to protest low wages
In the United States, the median salary for a child care teacher in 2016 was $21,000. There are all kinds of problems with this (we could start with the problem that 97% of child care workers are female, and that we condition women for certain kinds of work from very young ages and then grossly underpay them for it), but one that should weigh heavily on the mind of all parents is that salaries this low provide little incentive for early education teachers to remain in the field or seek additional professional development. This is particularly concerning because one of the biggest factors in reducing stress for kids in childcare is the presence of a caring, consistent provider. What's more, money invested in early education has tremendous societal benefit--even for those families or individuals who don't have children.
What's to be done? There is no easy answer, because (I believe) large societal and financial shifts need to take place in the United States, changes that will likely require government subsidies and legislation changes. But on an individual, classroom, and school level families can make changes. It's waaaay easier said than done in our busy lives, but change requires vigilance and activism on the part of citizens, even if that is limited to voting for candidates who prioritize these issues.
improving Childcare in the u.s. will require large cultural shifts...but individuals can still make an impact
Other strategies could include:
- Making contributions to candidates or organizations who support higher wages for childcare teachers and lower childcare costs
- Supporting the Child Care for Working Families Act. (You can sign a petition here.)
- Seeking out small childcare centers rather than for-profit chains
- Patronizing childcare centers that offer raises, promotions, and/or free continuing education for their staff
- Patronizing centers where teachers receive longevity pay
- Giving monetary gifts or gift cards for major holidays and teachers' birthdays
- Using crowd-sourcing sites to raise money for schools, classrooms and teacher projects and professional development
Early childhood educators shape future generations. It's a big job that is worth a much bigger salary.
What are your ideas for helping early education teachers earn the salaries they deserve? Share them here!