We can't concentrate on our jobs unless we're sure our children are safe, healthy and learning. We can't keep our jobs if care isn't reliable. In high-quality child care, preschoolers thrive and learn. Older kids are safe and supervised after school. But care that meets high standards is hard to find for kids of any age.
Studies show that six out of seven day care centers provide mediocre to poor quality care.
Nine out of 10 family day care homes, where babies and preschoolers spend their days, also fall short. Partly because good child care workers can't afford to stay in their jobs. Child care workers suffer a higher concentration of poverty-level jobs than almost any other occupation in the United States. Child care workers earn less than parking lot attendants and animal caretakers. But on the job at 4 p.m., too many of us are wondering about our kids.