They absorb tears and trauma with a smile. They answer kids’ endless questions and meet shouts of “Look at me!” with loving patience. They are essential, now more than ever.
An estimated 30% of child care workers leave their jobs each year. But for all the challenges inherent in the job, the reward is also built into the work.
The pandemic highlighted the essential work of California’s child care providers, but the reality is that the state’s supply of available child care, and the number of providers, have been shrinking for years. One reason? Low wages.