Hi Tim,
I completely agree that the child care providers are not getting the recognition and compensation that they deserve. Here in North Carolina, our state has compensated child care providers (teachers, admin, and staff, FCCH operators), with bonuses if they remained open and worked a certain number of hours a week. Centers and FCCH also received a check for the center, not the teachers and staff. It would be nice if child care providers and workers were recognized on national TV along with other essential workers. Child care is essential! The Partnership for Children if Johnston County, North Carolina, has provided child care centers and FCCHs with yard signs that say Heroes Work Here. We have also worked with some local businesses to gather essential items for child care centers and FCCHs to stay open, such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, dish soap, bleach, gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer, and other materials and resources. Federally, child care providers are not getting enough, but on a local level, we are doing the best we can to support and recognize child care providers. What kinds of positive things are happening in your local area to support child care providers, if anything?
Side note:If you are reading this and are a child care provider/worker who is working though Covid 19,
THANK YOU! You are essential! You are valued! You rock!------------------------------
Emily Englehart
Early Childhood Specialist
The Partnership for Children of Johnston County
Selma NC
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