We are in an era of economic crisis on multiple fronts, and child care consistently weighs in as the highest or second-highest bill for families. In some places, it’s surpassed the cost of rent. And for many voters, it’s where they’re feeling inflation the most. Meanwhile, early childhood educators are paid poverty wages and having trouble keeping their own families afloat.
That we’re at a tipping point on child care is no secret — but what’s been brewing underneath this crisis is a growing movement of providers, parents, and advocates who plan to take big action this election cycle. They are more organized, informed, and agitated than ever and they’ve pledged to make 2024 the child care election.
We talked to some of the providers from across the country who are hosting actions for Community Change Action’s National Child Care Voter Day of Action on October 23 about why they’re fighting for child care and how they intend to get out the vote in their communities.
Claudia Benjamin, family childcare provider in Lawrenceville, GA.
“My journey into childcare advocacy began when I attended an event organized by another Childcare Changemaker, Unique Clay, for Community Change Action’s Day Without Child Care. I was inspired by her leadership and the passion of the other advocates there.
Initially, I was quiet and kept to myself, unsure of how to engage. But Childcare Changemaker organizer BriTanya Brown kept reaching out, encouraging me to embrace the leader I didn’t see in myself, so I decided to step up. As I learned more about the challenges faced by childcare providers and families like myself, I realized I could be a part of something meaningful. This was my chance to connect with my community and challenge myself to be more involved.
I’m excited to work alongside others who care about improving our childcare system and advocating for our families. For our voters day of action, I’ll be sharing information about Community Change Action’s Congressional Child Care Report Card to make sure Georgia voters are informed about what their Congresspeople have done on childcare policy.”
Ms. Unique Clay, childcare provider of 28 years in Mableton, Georgia, serving Cobb County
“Earlier this year in May for Community Change Action’s Day Without Child Care, many national and state educators stood in solidarity, closed their childcare programs and rallied across our country to advocate for higher wages, an equitable childcare system, and affordable childcare for all families. Now us educators are emerging once again with this National Child Care Voters Day of Action and we are engaging Georgians everywhere to register to vote and be a child care voter!
According to The Century Foundation, 81,716 children in Georgia are set to lose child care and 944 child care programs are at risk of closing unless the child care industry receives critical funding. Congress could pass $16 billion in emergency funding to stop this crisis!”
Mz. Kelly Dawn Jones, childcare provider-owner of L.O.V.E. Your Child’s Care in Indianapolis, IN
“As a family childcare provider, I started my career not being able to find care when my daughter Bella was just a baby. I didn’t have the resources needed so I created L.O.V.E. to help myself and other families in my community. But it shouldn’t be so hard for families like mine to find care! That’s why, I am taking action and getting out the vote across Indiana. We need child care for all and thriving wages for providers like me.”
Vernessa Gipson, grandparent and FFN childcare provider in Dallas, Texas
“I never imagined that my Master’s in Infant and Child Development would lead me to a fulfilling role as a caregiver in my retirement. Four years ago, my daughter called, asking for help with her boys. My husband and I relocated to Dallas, thinking it would be temporary, but then our family grew. I found myself deeply involved in my grandkids’ lives, especially my youngest, Chey. Together, we created the “Mobile Mimi and Tay on the Go Experience,” exploring everything from the Dallas Zoo to local parks.
Through this journey, I learned how vital quality family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) childcare arrangements are — they are just as essential to the childcare system as licensed providers. Care work is real work, whether it’s done at home, in a center, at a church, or by a family member. I’ve witnessed firsthand how it can shape a child’s development, and I’m passionate about advocating for better childcare resources so every family can provide safe and enriching environments for their children.
I’ll be tabling at the 2025 Annual Harambee Festival in Dallas to share information about Community Change Action’s Congressional Child Care Report Card and how Texas Congresspeople scored on childcare policy.”
Shineal Hunter, 4th generation childcare provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“I have been advocating and organizing across PA with Childcare Changemakers since the beginning and I won’t stop until we win a better childcare system that pays providers like me their true worth because our economy runs on child care! I’m hosting events with parents, providers and supporters to make sure we educate and mobilize this election to keep childcare a priority on all levels of government.”
Melanie Call, mother of three in Utah
“I’m hosting this event for the Day of Action because I’ve seen how the lack of affordable, accessible, and quality child care affects families like mine. I worked hard to achieve a six-figure salary, yet even that wasn’t enough to navigate the challenges of child care waitlists and high costs. I want to work, and I’m fighting hard, now volunteering using my professional skills — from the local level to the halls of Congress and the White House — because this needs to change for everyone, the nation, not just for me. Child care must become a protected activity, and this election has to be the childcare election for real change to happen!”
Kristyn Rose, child care advocate and voter in Utah
“I’m a child care voter because I watch daily as parents, child care providers, and children struggle within a child care system that isn’t working for anyone. So far, Utah has approached the child care crisis through deregulation, which only makes things less safe for children, but it’s still just as expensive for parents and child care providers. Utah must do better. Our nation must do better. We need accessible, affordable, and quality childcare that is built on racial, gender, and economic justice for all.
This is why I decided to host a Day of Action event in my area and why I feel that this election must be the child care election. I’m working with others in my area to organize a bipartisan event where parents, providers, and advocates can meet together to get the word out about the importance of being a child care voter this election, learn about where candidates stand on the issue of childcare, share our stories, and build community as we prepare for the next legislative session in Utah. We’ll have activities, prizes and some yummy food, too!
We can no longer sit idly by and wait for change, we must unite as a community to be the change we want in order to have a childcare system that works for everyone. At least that’s this childless, cat lady’s dream!”
–
This is just a snapshot of the action, with 40 events planned across cities and states that could make the margin of difference this election season. And it comes just months after Community Change Action’s National Day Without Child Care, where over 1,300 childcare providers and parents closed their doors or called out of work to demand affordable care, better wages for providers, and an expanded and inclusive child tax credit.
Community Change and Community Change Action boast the largest network of parents and providers in the country and therefore have unique access to the sentiments of a large voting base and the needs of this section of the electorate. The 2024 political voter programs being carried out by Community Change and Community Change Action plan to hold 2 million conversations with voters across the country in targeted states and races — a reach modeling the scale of the margin of victory in the last few cycles.
The hope is to raise the salience of child care in the political sphere, and add to the existing evidence that ensuring child care access, affordability, and stability is both a motivating issue for infrequent voters of color and winning position for elected leaders.