Take Action for Child Care in NC

Every young child in NC deserves an opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, and working parents deserve reliable, flexible child care. It's not just critical for families, but for all of us.  We all know someone who depends on #ChildCare, but North Carolinians can’t depend on our current system. Families strain to cover the cost, teachers can’t afford to work for such low wages, businesses suffer from staff shortages when workers don’t have child care, and providers struggle to keep the doors open. Quality child care is not only essential for young children and families, but for businesses and employers, and for our state’s economy. North Carolina needs a child care system that truly works for everyone, now and into the future. But right now, the NC child care system is in crisis. Improving teacher pay, ensuring affordability and accessibility of child care, and securing sustainable funding for providers are central to delivering quality child care in North Carolina. The crisis in child care is a complicated one, and it requires action on multiple fronts, yet one thing seems clear - the current system is insufficient to meet the needs of working parents at all income levels.Child Care for North Carolina: United for Change (CC for NC) is a state-wide movement for parents and families, early educators and child care providers, businesses and advocates. Everyone, whether they have children in the child care system or not, is affected by a system that does not meet the needs of families, because those families include the workers, managers, and caregivers who work for all of us. On April 20, CC for NC will bring all the stakeholders together in Raleigh to call on the legislature to take action for better pay and benefits for teachers, affordable and accessible child care for all children, and sustainable funding for providers.If you can't travel to Raleigh, the YWCA of Asheville is part of a coalition of area child care providers who are hosting a local event at Carrier Park on Amboy Road from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on April 20th. There will be a bike/stroller/scooter parade with kids’ activities, but there will also be plenty of opportunity for advocacy, action, and education. The YWCA will host a letter writing party in our multi-purpose room at the YW on April 20.  There will be three opportunities to participate, from 7 - 9 a.m., 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 - 3 p.m.  We'll have sample letter and email templates, talking points, addresses, letter writing supplies, and more. Want to look for other ways to get involved? Check out this advocacy toolkit from CC for NC for ideas and suggestions.It’s time to come together for change! Join the YWCA of Asheville and Child Care for North Carolina.