business backgrounder | child care
Children , which represents the 10 regional early learning coalitions across the state .
Condon opened her child care center in 2012 and said she joined AWB on the Canada trip to learn about innovations — and how other areas are handling the funding aspect of child care .
“ Parents can ’ t afford the tuition needed to give living wages to the staff , and that ’ s where the state comes in , in that funding piece ,” Condon said .
However , there are potential pitfalls . Canada provides subsidies but locks providers into their rates from 2020 . Some providers there have left the federal program or didn ’ t engage because the funding rate isn ’ t sustainable . Funding models need to reflect the reality of changing costs , she said .
“ I certainly couldn ’ t keep my doors open if they were at 2020 rates ,” Condon said . “ That ’ s a critical piece in Washington because we have a mixed delivery system made up primarily of small businesses . The business model is already difficult if not broken . We need to be conscientious about that as we plan next steps .”
Canada ’ s system uses deficit spending on the federal level to help pay for its system . Washington state couldn ’ t do that ; federal action would be required .
“ Understanding that this is an investment
AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson speaks about the current state of the child care workforce , shortages and training requirements .
“ One of the biggest ‘ aha moments ’ was that you cannot just dump a bunch of money into the system and have it be fixed . They definitely put a bunch of money in to make it more accessible and affordable ... but they don ’ t have enough teachers and facilities .”
— Amy Anderson , AWB ’ s government affairs director for child care issues
that will pay off , they saw it as a short-term cost for long-term gain ,” Senn said . “ To spend in Washington in any significant way to the level where every family is getting help , we would need significant investment from the feds .”
a business issue
Child care is an economic development and workforce issue , said Anderson , who represented AWB as co-chair of the state ’ s child care collaborative task force . Care for children is necessary to help people be able to work or get training . At the same time , providing quality early childhood education helps build up the citizens and workforce of tomorrow . By showing up with solutions and subject-matter expertise , AWB and employers have a seat at the table to help shape the future of our state ’ s child care and early learning system .
“ As a business organization we know child care is critical to a healthy , vibrant workforce ,” Anderson said . “ The work that ’ s been done has been instrumental in laying really good groundwork to build some solutions to the child care issue and build solutions that will be permanent and long-term to make it a solid , well-run system .”
train to the future
As they look back on the tour , participants said they particularly appreciated the final leg of the trip , which was designed to create a time and space for thoughtful conversation .
Riding in a train from Ottawa back to the airport , AWB ’ s tour ended with five hours open for the kind of big-picture reflection that isn ’ t always easy back in the halls of the Legislature .
“ It was really an incredible experience to do a tour like that and not be in Olympia in a meeting or committee hearing , but to have those in-depth discussions ,” Condon said . “ So much more connection and innovation when we can foster that kind of scenario for a lot of the key players .”
42 association of washington business