Parents were unable to drop their kids off at over 20 child care programs in Charlotte Monday due to a rally for the "Day Without Childcare" initiative, aimed at raising awareness of the crucial nature of child care and campaigning for more funding.
More than 50 people gathered in a gym at Pathway Preschool Center in east Charlotte. They shouted, "When families are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back. When teachers are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.”
Parents, advocates, and child care providers spoke at the rally.
Gina Hinson’s program, which specializes in supporting kids with autism, has been impacted by a lack of funds.
"I can't even afford an assistant because now there is no more funding,” Hinson said. "This is why I need this funding. This is our future.”
COVID-era funds from the American Rescue Plan Act enabled centers to stay afloat and increase wages. But those funds ended last year, and extended grants approved by state legislators ran out in March.
“Because those [COVID-era] funds are gone. I had to increase tuition because I gave myself a raise,” said child care provider Sundra Hanna. "In order to maintain that raise and pay myself a living wage, I had to increase tuition for my families.”
Emma Biggs, a child care provider and one of the organizers behind the event, said care providers are asking for $220 million in additional state subsidies for child care in North Carolina, as the General Assembly considers a new budget this summer.
Biggs said over 100 child care programs in North Carolina closed their doors on Monday as part of the initiative.
