Op-Ed: WI Must Act to Address the Child Care Crisis
Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education isn’t just a family issue - it’s a statewide economic imperative. In a new opinion piece published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Gregory Wesley (Greater Milwaukee Foundation), JoAnne Anton (Herb Kohl Philanthropies) and Milwaukee Succeeds’ Executive Director Vincent Lyles call on state leaders to take urgent action.
“Child care is in crisis,” the article begins, pointing to rising costs, shrinking availability and razor-thin margins that have left many providers and families without reliable options. Even before the expiration of pandemic relief funds, many providers across Wisconsin were struggling to stay open. A recent survey of 663 Milwaukee providers conducted by Milwaukee Succeeds found that the vast majority used their emergency funding for essential operating costs. With inflation mounting and emergency supports ending, more than 15% said they expect to close this year.
The op-ed outlines three essential steps Wisconsin must take:
Stabilize providers by securing consistent public and private funding sources.
Strengthen Wisconsin Shares, the state's child care subsidy program, by expanding eligibility, lowering co-pays and simplifying access.
Ensure fair compensation for early educators, who are often paid poverty-level wages despite playing a critical role in children's development.
“This is a systems issue,” the article reads, “so systems solutions are needed. And while one person cannot enact such change on their own, our voices are powerful together.”
Together, the three leaders urge community members to contact their state legislators and advocate for meaningful investment in early care and education. Without bold action, Wisconsin risks losing child care access for tens of thousands of families - and with it, economic stability for communities across the state.
📖 Read the full op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Child care is in crisis. High costs hurt parents and providers.
