For Immediate Release: April 7, 2025
Contact: comms@virginia-organizing.org
Charlottesville — It is no secret that child care educators are the workforce behind the workforce. That’s why the National Association for the Education of Young Children is highlighting them during its annual ‘Week of the Young Child,’ which runs April 5-11. The week celebrates early learning, young children, teachers, families, and communities. Grantees with the Raising Child Care Fund today released the following statement:
“Many people who go into child care do so because they love and want to serve children. Their service and commitment should be recognized with competitive wages and benefits. This will help child care centers recruit and retain educators.
“Without adequate funding for early child care educators, children would not be prepared for school, adults could not work, and businesses could not thrive. Whether this week or the next, it is always appropriate to honor and uplift those who serve our brightest and youngest minds.
“We will use every opportunity we have—whether it is Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), Mother’s Day (May 11), or Day Without Child Care (May 12)—to highlight the contributions of early childhood educators.
“It is imperative our entire community – including policymakers – see and support their efforts. Legislative leaders can greatly support the field by investing in child care to ensure it is affordable, accessible and widely available. Believing in the importance of child care is one thing. Taking action to ensure its viability is what really matters.”
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Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.
