Orange, Wake and Durham have most expensive childcare costs in state, drawing hundreds out to rally
Hundreds of people showed up to the state capitol Thursday to rally, calling for support for early child education across the state.
Families, teachers, business owners and children are expected to gather at the North Carolina General Assembly at 16 W. Jones St. The event included speakers, a parade around the legislative building, children's crafts and activities.
Advocates are pushing for better pay and benefits for child care teachers and affordable and accessible child care for all families.
"Everyone knows someone who depends on child care, but North Carolinians can’t depend on our current system to survive under these conditions any longer,” said Jenna Nelson, Executive Director of the NC Early Education Coalition. “Families can’t afford the high cost, teachers can’t afford to work for such low wages, and providers can’t afford to keep their doors open. With federal COVID relief funding about to run out, our state has reached a tipping point.”
Educators, parents and child care providers also plan to speak with state legislators about the needs they have.
Advocates said they want legislators to double their investment when it comes to pay and benefits for child care teachers.
The rally comes as there is a growing need for childcare in North Carolina.
WRAL News has reported on the staffing struggles and long wait lists for childcare. In 2020 WRAL reported, on average, NC parents are spending about $9,200 a year on day care centers.
Last year, WRAL News called called nine day care centers in Durham, including Bright Horizons, Kinder Care, La Petite and Primrose School. Each had a waitlist for infant programs, and most lists were more than one year long. The shortest waitlist was six months, and the longest was 15 months.
One day care said 50 babies were waiting for spots.
