Week of the Young Child: A Call to Action for Milwaukee’s Future
Each year, the Week of the Young Child (April 5-11) provides an opportunity to celebrate early childhood education (ECE) and the vital role it plays in shaping the future of our community. But this year, Milwaukee’s ECE sector isn’t just celebrating – it’s calling for action.
With the end of Child Care Counts and the biennial budget on the horizon, this year’s celebration carries a deeper urgency. Recent data has shown that without renewed investment, Milwaukee’s child care sector faces a dire future, one where programs close, educators are forced from the field and families lose access to affordable care. But there’s still time to act.
Thankfully, Milwaukee’s ECE community is rising to the challenge. Across the city – and the state – parents, early educators and advocates are speaking up in hopes of bringing this critical issue to the forefront of the conversation. Their stories illustrate the incredible impact of ECE and the devastating consequences of inaction.
A Blow to Families & Educators
An early educator at La Causa’s Early Care and Education Center.
For Diana Rico, an ECE Ambassador with Milwaukee Succeeds, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “As a parent, affordability is so important. But I understand that without future investments in the ECE sector, these programs will have no choice but to raise their rates, leaving families like mine without options.”
The loss of Child Care Counts funding means that centers may be forced to increase tuition, cut staff or even close their doors for good. This won’t just affect families; it will deal a serious blow to the business community as parents struggle to find reliable child care that will allow them to stay in the workforce.
Our early educators are also feeling the strain. Low wages and poor benefits have made it difficult for ECE centers to retain experienced teachers, leading to staffing shortages and increased burnout among those who remain.
“Our educators are leaving the field at an alarming rate because they simply can't make ends meet,” explained ECE teacher Rochelle. “When we lose these dedicated professionals, we lose their passion, expertise, and the stability that children and families depend on. Prioritizing funding means valuing the people who make high-quality care possible.”
Laura, an ECE parent, has seen firsthand how quality early learning can shape a child’s future. “I have watched my kids thrive thanks to their amazing teachers. But it breaks my heart to see those teachers leave because they can't afford to stay in the profession. We need to invest in this sector to keep those passionate educators working with our kids.”
The impact of losing experienced educators could have lasting consequences for our kids. Studies have shown that high-quality ECE leads to better academic outcomes, higher graduation rates and greater long-term success for children.
Speaking Up for Sustained Funding
An ECE Ambassador and ECE advocate draft letters to local legislators in support of ECE during a Milwaukee Succeeds letter-writing event.
For Linda, another early educator, the solution is clear. “To invest in child care is investing in a successful, promising career for a child. That’s just common sense. We spend so much money on incarceration, yet we invest so little in the academic potential of a child. We need to redirect those funds into early education, because when we invest in children, we all benefit.”
Milwaukee Succeeds and our partners are working tirelessly to advocate for sustained child care funding. Through our ECE Advocacy Training Series and letter-writing workshops, we’ve empowered hundreds of people to use their voices in pursuit of change. These dedicated educators and advocates are now set to speak up and use their stories to ensure that policymakers understand what’s at stake.
Taffie, an ECE Ambassador, puts it simply: “The need for affordable, high-quality ECE has never been greater. Investing in these programs isn't just about today. It's about creating a stronger future for children, families and our entire community.”
The Week of the Young Child is a time to celebrate, but it’s also a time to act. Join us in advocating for the future of ECE.
