Childcare as a public good and “radical joy” — Weave News

As in almost all crises, the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt. Childcare workers have historically been poorly paid. This has led to an economically devastating labour shortage, shutting down businesses and reducing access for families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. With access to quality childcare declining, the responsibility for raising children has fallen on millions of mothers.

We are talking about the future here. The next generation of young people will be the ones who make or break future generations, the ones who will shape the workforce, the government, and the world. They can be the forefathers of real change, the next WEB Du Bois and Albert Einstein, the innovator who will fight climate change and cancer. The caregivers, the members of society who raise these children during their crucial developmental years, are underpaid and undervalued. We are failing our own future and neglecting our children.

Access to quality, affordable child care also makes economic sense. Establishing living wages and creating access to affordable child care would benefit everyone. While there are short-term costs, the return on investment is significant. Not only will businesses be able to effectively retain talent, but the economy will thrive because of contributions to the workforce.

That is why I believe it is essential to support the child care community. Access to affordable, quality child care must be improved: it is a public good that benefits the economy and, arguably, the nation as a whole.

What do you think are the top 2-3 issues affecting the child care community?

A phrase that comes up a lot in most child care circles is universal care. Many agree that this is the ultimate goal, the “North Star,” so to speak. However, the differences of opinion are over how to achieve this goal. How do we define true universal care? How do we sustainably fund universal care over the long term, rather than implementing temporary relief measures as we have during the pandemic? What will a new system realistically look like once it is in place? How do we balance implementing sweeping, powerful changes at scale while staying connected and communicating the changes that need to be implemented? How do we strategically unite the efforts of the entire care economy, despite its great diversity, and remain united in collective struggles? I believe these are the key questions that the child care community continues to grapple with today.

As a High Road Fellow at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, how has your internship at the Community Foundation shaped your study of the child care sector in New York State?

For most of my program, I was compiling information to prepare for a child care action retreat that took place on July 24, 2024. At the beginning of the event, one statement in particular struck me and stuck with me. The esteemed director of the Cornell University ILR Buffalo Co-Lab, Dr. Cathy Creighton, stood at the podium at the beginning of the event to provide an overview of her research. At the very end of her statement, she confidently declared, “We are Cornell, the Ivy League and New York State University. Use us.”

With her boldness and enthusiasm, she was not afraid to say it. Cornell undoubtedly has weight and power as an Ivy League institution. It is therefore the duty of Cornell students and faculty to wield that weight with care and awareness—to empower people. As a Highroad Fellow this summer, I have had a glimpse of that power that I have never had before. I have come to understand the need to wield it and to pass it on to places that can use it to make a difference. In fact, I would like to gain more knowledge and experience so that I can better serve communities, as leaders like Dr. Cathy Creighton do.

What was your experience of the 3rd Annual WNYCCAT Community Celebration educate yourself about children, parents, providers, workers and/or advocates in the child care community?

Sitting on the edge of the cruise ship above the rippling water, munching on strawberries and watermelon, I realized how tight-knit the child care community was. I didn’t know how professional and purpose-driven this event would be, but it was actually quite a relaxed atmosphere. Groups of all ages, from bright-eyed toddlers to respected elders, all gathered together. Everyone mingled in the sunshine, enjoying the music and each other’s company. This may seem obvious to some, but I realized that this tight-knit group was truly a community. These were not faceless, title-less workers, but fearless advocates, loving mothers, passionate academics, and driven researchers who all wanted to see a better future for generations to come. In moments like these, I realized how radical joy is and how crucial connection is.