Childcare For All
DC has the highest childcare costs in the nation. At the same time, many early educators earn poverty wages. Implementing universal affordable childcare will help thousands of families manage their budgets at a time of rising prices, and provide every DC child with a strong start in life. Janeese’s plan will:
Cover More Families. Every family will be eligible for childcare assistance and will spend no more than 7% of their household income on childcare, with many families paying less and some paying nothing. Families will still apply and choose their childcare setting.
Increase Childcare Supply. Janeese will boost investments to expand providers that offer nontraditional hours, create Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care, and create a dedicated facilities grant fund. She will also co-locate programs in underutilized school buildings and District-owned facilities.
Invest In Workforce. Janeese will build on the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund to guarantee good wages and partner with our unions to create good, safe jobs. She will also maximize enrollment in affordable, early childhood education degree and certification programs.
DC proved that bold investments work by successfully implementing universal Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4, Birth to Three, and the Pay Equity Fund. Now DC must lead again by adopting universal affordable childcare.
Watch the Universal Affordable Childcare Explainer