Early Childhood Education Crisis
After working 30 years in the field of Early Childhood Education, it has become a passion of mine. Right now, we are experiencing an early childhood crisis. Finding quality, available, affordable childcare has become a larger and larger struggle that families are greatly affected by. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has expired recently putting more early childhood education centers in danger of closing.
Childcare is not only a kitchen table issue, it is an infrastructure issue. We need quality care for supporting our workforce. It assures a lower turnover and decreases absenteeism, and increases the size of hiring pool, on top of the benefits to our children. In Springfield, I will work with the governor in continuing the efforts of improving Early Childhood Education in our state.