It's broken.
Fix child care, PA.
This is what Pennsylvanians want:
83%
of PA voters agree on increasing funding for child care teachers to solve the crisis.
Join the over 3,000
Pennsylvanians who have signed a petition urging Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly to include
$55 million for a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative in the final 2025-26 buget.
PA families
can’t find child care = can’t work
70+ Local PA Chambers support Child Care Teacher Recruitment and Retention Efforts
PA economy loses $6.65 Billion every year in earnings, productivity and revenue
Stabilizing the Workforce Behind the Workforce
Labor Economist Dr. Kathryn Edwards on the Child Care Crisis
(May 2025 full presentation)
Yields Low Wages and Teacher Shortages
(clip)
Constrains Labor Force Participation
(clip)
A Drag on the Overall Economy
(clip)
Increases the Cost of Child Care
(clip)
The Only Meaningful Solution Will Come from Public Intervention
(clip)
2024 survey of 1,140 child care programs:
92%
reported challenges recruiting teachers
85%
unfilled staff positions
25,320
reported staff shortages
3,038
more children could be served
Low Wages = Teacher Shortage
Kindergarten Teachers $68,670
Animal Control Workers $53,420
Floor Sanders & Finishers $46,330
Bus Drivers, School $42,970
Telemarketers $34,630
Retail Salespersons $34,410
Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners $32,340
Parking Attendants $30,120
Childcare Workers $29,480
Increase in open positions = decrease in open programs
Nov. 2019
6,205
PA child care providers
Sept. 2024
5,745
PA child care providers
How Many Providers are Still Open in Your Community?
Data Tool:
Child Care Providers in Pennsylvania: November 2019 versus September 2024
What Providers & Families Have to Say:
“Our staff are working overtime and not able to take days off. Not having enough qualified people..is our biggest issue.”
“We are having trouble retaining quality staff due to low wages. People whose passion is children are forced to lean towards outside industries for stability in life.”
“It is not only difficult competing for that small pool of candidates that can go to Target…but also difficult because so many centers need staff.”
A Day in the Life of a Child Care Provider
What PA Lawmakers are Saying
PA Senator Judy Schwank (D-11)
PA Senator Patty Kim (D-15)
PA Representative Justin Fleming (D-105)
PA Representative Pat Harkins (D-1)
PA Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-129)
PA Senator Pat Stefano (R-32)
PA Senator David Argall (R-29)
PA Representative Shelby Labs (R-143)
PA Representative Tim Twardzik (R-123)
PA Representative Danilo Burgos (D-197)
PA lawmakers must:
include the proposed investment of $55 M in a new and recurring Child Care Recruitment and Retention line item in the 2025-2026 state budget to grant licensed child care providers participating in the child care subsidy program an additional $1,000 per educator increase.
