Kinder Academy and Children First Early Childhood Education are among those closely monitoring the ongoing state budget negotiations.
And while the state is supposed to have a budget by June 30, it appears Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic-run House are so far apart that an agreement might not come until the fall.
As negotiations continue, Kinder Academy executive director Leslie Spina last week welcomed Sen. Joe Picozzi to her location at 7332 Elgin Ave. Picozzi visited a classroom, the outside space and the summer camp room at the site, one of five Kinder locations in the Northeast.
Joining them was Zaina Cahill, policy director for Children First Early Childhood Education.
Spina and Cahill support a proposed investment of $55 million in a new and recurring Child Care Recruitment and Retention line item to grant licensed child care providers participating in the child care subsidy program an additional $1,000 per educator.
They also support funding Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and increases for the Infant/Toddler Early Intervention program.
On average, early childhood educators make just $15.15 an hour, leading to high turnover and teacher shortages.
“Childcare does not pay remotely close to K-12,” Cahill said.
Childcare educators have the same degrees, credentials and continuing education courses as K-12 teachers, yet some qualify for SNAP and other safety net programs. Spina said kindergarten teachers tell her that Kinder graduates come to school “super prepared.”
“My teachers shouldn’t make half of what Philly K-12 teachers make,” said Spina, adding that the difference is even greater compared to suburban teachers. “They’re doing the hard work every day, year-round.”
Spina and Cahill say early childhood facilities like Kinder help parents access social services and often assist families with securing food and by easing energy costs.
They say a $1,000 bonus for early childhood educators will help them make student loan, car or housing payments. ••
