Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed statewide surveys are completed, and data is calculated. The childcare industry’s cards are on the table, in full view for all to see. It is clear and unequivocal that early childcare and education will continue to decline without funding from the government. 

Just since 2007, almost 5,500 family child care about 200 group center businesses have disappeared in Wisconsin. Thus significantly decreasing the overall workforce in Wisconsin and costing our state billions of dollars a year. The investment in early childcare is what the majority (over 80%) of Wisconsinites agree on. It is great for our economy, and it is best for our children and families in the state to have that choice. It would seem to be a no-brainer, yet, year after year our state policymakers decline to fund early childcare and education.  

This past week each member of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) was provided the data not only for the state but data specific to their districts as well. For example, Co-Chair of the JFC; Howard Marklein was provided Senate District 17, along with the following Green County specific data. Without the funding 5 childcare businesses reported they will be forced to close their doors, this would be a loss of childcare for 266 children immediately. Additionally, more businesses anticipated they would also have to close given their plan to increase wages, which will not be affordable for their families, or decrease the teacher’s wages, prompting the teachers to quit. We know the data came directly from the businesses themselves, this is not a hypothetical situation, these are the facts.  

What we have been hearing from the legislatures: 

“The market will fix itself.” Begs the question how has that been working so far? Given that majority of the state is a childcare desert (70% desert in rural areas). Families that can find childcare spend on average 17% of their dual household income on childcare for one child. The supply and demand business model for childcare does not work (unless you are wealthy). Early childcare and education is a public good and like all public goods should be invested in by the government for the success of a functioning society.

“We need to deregulate the childcare and allow increased ratios.” Please by all means give it a try. My centers’ doors are open for any policymaker to come in and spend a day caring for five babies, and by the way, make $13.00 an hour doing so. It is actually disheartening and disparaging to hear from our policymakers that they think this would help. First, is there no consideration for the wellness of the babies? Second, as a business owner what teacher is not going to quit if I ask her to take care of five babies by herself? This is probably the fastest way to shut down most childcare rooms that serve children under 2 years. Which incidentally is already the most difficult age period that parents face when trying to access childcare. 

“The childcare counts is just a band-aid.” Absolutely, this is correct. The $340 million ask over the next two years is only to stabilize the field, “stop the bleeding” kinda thing. The research is clear that to actually fix the childcare crisis, consistent investments need to be made by the state. Recent research on Wisconsin’s economy and childcare workforce shows that an additional $300 million annually would increase wages to be competitive with the market without increasing tuition. It would make considerable strides toward increasing accessibility and decreasing costs to families. Thus, strengthening our economy in the billions.  

The childcare crisis cards are laid bare for all to see. Now is the time for the legislation to show its hand. We need to know what their priorities are and essentially their values. To not fund the request or to partially fund the request would require a reason. What would the reason be for our policymakers to not save Wisconsin’s economy billions of dollars? To strengthen our overall workforce? To allow our youngest and most vulnerable population a quality start during their foundation years? Or to not even listen to the majority of their constituents?

What could that reason be?

— Child Care Matters is a series written by local child care providers. Brooke Skidmore of The Growing Tree runs a child care center in New Glarus.