Recommendation 3 : Recommend and develop implementation plans for delivering publicly funded wage supplements and benefits to the entire child care workforce in conjunction with the transition to the cost of quality care rate setting model .
Recommendation 4 : Create a comprehensive economic development and workforce development strategy , including plans for a career pipeline , in partnership with providers , parents , and stakeholders .
The recommendations in this report are built upon the foundation of Washington ' s
Fair Start for Kids Act ( FSKA ), passed in May 2021 . The FSKA addresses affordability for families through reduced copayments for Working Connections Child Care ( WCCC ) and through expansions to WCCC and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program ( ECEAP ). The FSKA also increases rates for child care providers . Continued implementation of the FSKA is essential . These recommendations go beyond the FSKA to address fundamental market failures that require comprehensive solutions that address child care workforce recruitment and retention .
The true cost of quality child care includes living wages and benefits for providers . The task force recommends a living wage floor based on MIT ’ s Living Wage Model for the workforce , while adjusting for the additional responsibilities of different staff positions .
MIT ’ s Living Wage Model is an alternative measure of basic needs . It is a market-based approach that draws upon geographically specific expenditure data related to a family ’ s likely minimum costs for food , child care , health insurance , housing , transportation and other basic necessities . The living wage draws on these cost elements and the rough effects of income and payroll taxes to determine the minimum earnings necessary to meet a family ’ s basic needs while maintaining selfsufficiency . A table comparing living wages and current wages for child care providers is in the methodology and functionality section of this report .
Without intervention , the child care industry will continue to fall short of meeting the demand for affordable quality care and early childhood education . It is a precarious and unstable situation that needs and deserves to be addressed — for the sake of children and families , and the workforce that cares for them . The task force urges policymakers to consider significant public investments in the child care market beyond the subsidy system to make child care affordable for families and sustainable for providers .
2022 COST OF QUALITY CHILD CARE LEGISLATIVE REPORT 9