What the World Gets Wrong About Childcare Providers
Too many people still see childcare providers as babysitters.
Keyla Cole knows that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I wish more people understood how much responsibility and dedication this work requires,” says the Tennessee native Keyla. “Child care is structured, intentional care that supports a child’s development.”
As a mother, grandmother and child care center owner, Keyla is equal parts caregiver and educator. Throughout her career, she has nurtured children’s social, emotional, and academic growth—work she describes as deeply rewarding.
“Our center builds strong relationships with families by providing a safe, welcoming environment and maintaining consistent communication,” Keyla explains. “That support gives parents the freedom to pursue work, education, and other opportunities while their children learn, grow, and thrive.”
Yet despite the vital role child care providers play, many are overworked and underpaid.
Across the country, tight budgets and limited resources have contributed to staffing shortages, making affordable, high-quality child care increasingly difficult for families to access.
That’s why Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) is advocating for solutions to strengthen the child care system. These efforts include increasing funding for child care programs, improving wages to stabilize the workforce, and expanding access to care in underserved communities.
For Keyla, however, it is the children and families she serves that continue to inspire her.
“I’m motivated by the children and families I serve,” she says. “There’s growing awareness of how essential child care is, and advocates are pushing for meaningful change. That gives me hope for the future.”
Together, we can build a stronger childcare system. Send your message to Congress today!
Victoria Zegler
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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) shows up and speaks out for kids. Help us fight to give every child a strong start in life.
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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that the issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by our elected leaders, building bipartisan support to make sure every child has a strong start in life. As a 501(c)(4), gifts made to SCAN are not tax deductible.