Declaring April 6-12 as the Week of the Young Child.

WHEREAS: The first years of a child’s life are the period of the most rapid brain development and lay the foundation for all future learning; and WHEREAS: Participation in high-quality early childhood education saves taxpayer dollars, makes working families more economically secure, and prepares children to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and live healthier lives; and WHEREAS: The average wage for child care providers, who are skilled and valuable professionals, is less than $13 per hour, with Black and Latino child care workers making even less; and WHEREAS: The essential yet chronically undervalued child care sector has sacrificed and struggled to serve children and families since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS: Working families need sufficient high-quality child care spaces beginning at birth to be available in the community; and WHEREAS: Early childhood educators need the ability to earn a family-sustaining wage that is commensurate with the required education and skills they bring to the complex and valuable work they do, and the ability to have basic workplace benefits such as health insurance, retirement, paid sick leave, paid vacation and professional development leave; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That this City Council does hereby declare April 6-12 as the Week of the Young Child and urge all members of our community to support efforts that increase children and families’ access to high-quality early childhood education.