Jan 30 Investment in Child Care Teachers Supports Children, Families and the Economy

(January 30, 2026)

This Bold Voices blog post was written by one of Allies for Children’s partners about a subject that is relevant to their work as well as ours.

AFC knows that childcare is an essential policy issue for children and families to thrive. Although we don’t participate in the Start Strong campaign, AFC stands alongside our partners, such as PennAEYC, who lead this important child care advocacy work in Pennsylvania.

Today’s blog was written by: Jen DeBell, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC)

PennAEYC is a statewide, nonprofit membership organization of early care and education professionals and is a proud principal partner in the Early Learning PA Coalition, including its efforts to improve the child care system for children and families and the early educators and programs who serve them, through Start Strong PA.

Over two years ago, the Start Strong PA nonpartisan child care campaign, in partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), issued a survey to and held 13 listening sessions with child care teachers and staff. We wanted to understand their thoughts about how the current system was working and if additional public funding was allocated for child care, how they would recommend spending it. We heard their message loud and clear. The child care staffing crisis was top of mind, with providers noting low wages and the lack of benefits were driving teachers away from the field. Participants overwhelmingly said they would increase staff wages as a budget priority.

A variety of data and research helped us make the case for an investment in Pennsylvania’s child care teachers and staff. With an average wage documented by Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office of about $15/hour in the child care sector and survey results showing 21 percent of child care staff relying on Medicaid for health coverage and SNAP to put food on the table, we demonstrated the problem.

We also showed policymakers the direct impact of the staffing crisis on children and families. In September 2024, Start Strong PA issued a survey to licensed child care providers. There were 1,140 providers who responded (17% of licensed programs) and 92% reported challenges in recruiting staff with 85% struggling with teacher shortages, leaving more than 3,000 unfilled positions statewide, thereby – eliminating child care for more than 25,000 Pennsylvania children!

Recognizing that child care teachers are the workforce behind the workforce a coalition of 70+ chambers and economic development organizations also called for investments to address the child care workforce crisis to help employers and families in Pennsylvania. The economic impact of the staffing crisis was also documented through a report indicating a staggering $6.65 billion cost annually — in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue.

The public also recognizes how important it is to invest in child care. Susquehanna Polling and Research conducted a poll in March 2025 of 700 likely voters and 83% of PA voters favored allocating state funding to increase wages of child care workers.

Finally, PennAEYC issued a report on behalf of the campaign documenting 18 other states that made similar investments and demonstrating those initiatives made a difference in teachers staying in child care programs and improvement in recruitment as well.

Advocacy takes time, but the hard work paid off after two budget cycles. Governor Shapiro proposed a new line item in the FY 2025-26 state budget for child care teacher recruitment and retention and with bipartisan support it was included in the final budget, with $25 million allocated for this purpose. OCDEL issued an announcement and application to child care providers in December. Providers qualified to apply include those certified as a child care center, group child care home or family child care provider currently in operation, which hold a current child care subsidy agreement with the commonwealth, among other requirements. Applications were due yesterday and OCDEL’s Early Learning Resource Centers will process applications and issue the bonuses.

This line item was a win for early educators – not only because the bonuses they will receive will help them make ends meet – but because it demonstrates policymakers value the important work they do as a profession. Our youngest children are not only learning the basics to get ready for school in child care settings, but also the executive function skills that make for successful people long-term – self regulation, following directions, treating others appropriately, sharing, etc. These teachers are building brains and maximizing a critical point in brain development, and they deserve compensation which reflects the important work they do. This is also a big win for children and families – retaining and recruiting more teachers means it will be easier to access child care that supports healthy child development and learning and allows parents to work with peace of mind.

While we celebrate, there is more work to do. Next week kicks off the next state budget cycle. I am hoping that growth in the investment in our child care teachers and staff is part of Governor Shapiro’s proposal and ultimate budget deal supported across party lines, among other important early care and education investments. Investing in child care is an economic development, workforce participation and education success strategy – a wise choice for the future of our commonwealth.

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