It's broken.
Fix child care, PA.
This is what Pennsylvanians want:
71%
of PA voters agree on increasing funding for child care teachers to solve the crisis.
5,077
Pennsylvanians signed a petition urging Governor Shapiro to include
$284 million for a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative
PA families
can’t find child care = can’t work
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
PA economy loses $6.65 Billion every year in earnings, productivity and revenue
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.”
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.
