On Friday, Nov 19, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, historic legislation that will transform the lives of millions of children and families. Kids Count on Us has been working determinedly to share the stories of families, providers, and child care workers in Minnesota with our elected leaders. We held roundtable discussions with both Representatives Ilhan Omar and Dean Phillips in which providers and parents were able to share the challenges they face.

We are grateful for the votes of these two representatives, as well as the votes of Representatives Betty McCollum and Angie Craig to prioritize families, children, child care providers and workers, and our care infrastructure. 

The refrain from Minnesota families on child care has been twofold. They cannot afford it, and they cannot find child care spaces. They cannot find spaces because child care centers and in-home providers cannot find staff. Providers cannot find staff because they cannot afford to pay living wages. This is a cycle that cannot be solved without treating child care as what it is—a public good. 

The Build Back Better Act finally takes a step forward in that direction. It is estimated that it will cut child care costs in half for most families. Child care costs will be capped at 7% of a family’s income, dramatically reducing the cost for most families since the average cost of child care currently rivals the cost of college tuition in many states. 

Additionally, the Build Back Better Act provides funding for child care providers to increase the wages of their workers as well as funding to improve the quality and supply of child care services. This is of particular importance in child care deserts, areas where little to no child care is available. 

We are on the cusp of being able to provide high quality care to every family who wants it and living wages to child care workers and early educators.

We cannot overstate how transformational this investment in child care is. We are on the cusp of being able to provide high quality care to every family who wants it and living wages to child care workers and early educators. We are grateful for the relentless work of our Kids Count on Us leaders in bringing their child care stories to our representatives and senators and look forward to continuing that work to urge the Senate to pass the Back Better Act. Children and families deserve to have high quality and affordable child care and teachers and providers deserve to have living wages that recognize the great importance of their work.