Your cart is currently empty!
We Must Discover a Way to Compensate Child Care Workers Beyond Meager Wages
Recently, a kind pre-K teacher at my child’s school asked if I knew anyone in the area looking for a part-time job next year. The role involved three hours a day at the pre-K, serving lunch and helping the kids settle down for their naps. “It would be a wonderful opportunity for a stay-at-home parent who wants to engage with the community while earning a little extra,” she said. I completely agreed.
However, when I inquired about the pay, I was taken aback. “It’s $10 an hour,” she replied, and I could sense her hesitation. $10 an hour?! In our suburban town near New York City, you can easily spend that much for just a couple of hours of parking. Even a simple pizza outing for kids costs more than that. Committing to care for a lively group of 4-year-olds for $10 an hour feels almost like volunteering (and there’s nothing wrong with that, of course).
The teacher had good intentions, but the reality is that this is the standard pay for early childhood educators in our area and across the nation. In a place like mine, where living expenses are sky-high, $10 an hour is simply inadequate. It’s likely that in other regions, the pay might not be much better, either.
Let’s face it: with the federal minimum wage lingering at a meager $7.50 per hour, earning $10 per hour still places many workers below the poverty line, no matter where they reside.
The truth is, we face a serious and unacceptable issue in how we compensate our child care professionals. In all my work experiences, child care has been the most demanding, both physically and emotionally. Whether babysitting, tutoring, or working in a preschool, I devoted my energy, resources, and heart into those children, often ending the day completely drained.
And yet, I was compensated poorly. I earned more doing tedious tasks like typing resumes, which required little effort and felt unfulfilling. Even working as a library assistant brought in more money with far less strain.
I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. An article on NPR revealed that the national average pay for child care workers is below $10 per hour, with nearly half relying on public assistance like food stamps or Medicaid.
Consider this: these are the individuals we depend on to create nurturing environments and safe spaces for our children while we are away. Why should they endure financial hardship, constantly worried about making ends meet or providing nutritious meals for their families? The stress of financial instability can undoubtedly affect their performance at work, and it’s unfair to everyone involved.
Such financial strain contributes to a high turnover rate among child care workers—around 30%, according to a 2012 article. Furthermore, this issue discourages talented individuals from entering the field or causes those who do to leave rapidly, not due to lack of enjoyment, but because they cannot afford to remain.
“We’re witnessing a significant turnover of child care teachers,” says Mark Anderson, executive director of the California Child Care Coalition, in an interview with NPR. “We’re also seeing dwindling enrollment in community college programs for early education, which I believe is largely due to low wages.”
Many parents feel this issue from another perspective: the exorbitant cost of child care. For many families, child care is simply unaffordable, while others find that a substantial portion of their income goes toward it, turning it into a financial black hole.
Here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. In other developed nations, such as the Netherlands, child care is subsidized and supported by the government, making it more affordable for parents and ensuring fair compensation for workers. It’s clear that our current administration does not prioritize this issue, but there are politicians who recognize its importance and advocate for change. If you feel similarly, I encourage you to voice your opinions widely.
Our child care workers—and, by extension, our children—deserve far better conditions.
For more insights on this topic, check out this resource about fertility and home insemination. For those interested in home insemination kits, this site provides valuable information. For further reading, don’t miss this article on our other blog posts.
In summary, we must work toward ensuring fair wages for child care workers, recognizing their essential role in our communities and the well-being of our children.