The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the importance and necessity of early learning and childcare to millions of people. The pandemic didn’t create it - it exposed it and has helped to bring our industry to the forefront of politician’s agenda as they now realize how our work directly impacts the economy, society, and child growth and development.
As directors of ECE’s, many of us continue to struggle in finding qualified educators to work in our centers. Many educators have left the field because they are not earning a sustainable wage. State and federal subsidies have allowed some of us to raise salaries (slightly) and provide bonuses. This still does not address the pay disparity of educators that work in public schools versus those in early childhood centers, but it is at least a step in the right direction.
These subsidies are ending shortly. What do we now?
I have decided to use my voice and share my concerns with our government. Our elected officials are not experts in early learning and childcare, but WE ARE, and our industry is in dire risk if there isn’t a comprehensive, long-term investment in affordable, high-quality childcare.
I recently attended the National Association for the Education of the Young Child’s (NAEYC) Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. where I spent a day and a half learning about our very confusing governmental system (I think I was absent that year in high school!). Even though I still understand very little, it did not preclude me from joining our diverse team of 13 New Jersey early childhood educators in meetings with our two New Jersey State Senators and House Representative where we made our case on the importance of increasing educator compensation. This was an incredibly powerful experience. They actually listened and even took notes! I wish I could say that our meetings that day were all that we needed for change to happen, but it is not enough. If I can do it, YOU can do it! I urge you to reach out to your state and federal legislators and be heard. Together, we can make a difference.
Jill Cimafonte
Director of Early Childhood Education
Temple Emanu-El
Westfield, NJ
