Child care workers joined parents and child care center directors in Richmond VA at a state hearing around the Child Care Development Block Grant.

The State of Virginia is required to take the cost of high-quality child care into consideration when it sets payment rates. Study after study shows that teacher pay and working conditions are directly linked with the quality of child care programs. But wages are so low that nearly half of child care workers are forced to rely on public assistance for things like food, healthcare, and housing.

At the meeting and in written feedback, Child Care Fight for $15 supporters made three recommendations:

• Establish a child care wage board to get feedback on child care worker wages from workers, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Include a $15/hour minimum wage for child care workers in payment rates for child care services.
• Advocate for new federal and state investments in child care.