News

Throughout the month of May, the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Provider Advisory Board (PAB) is inviting Pennsylvania child care providers to participate in Imagine a Day Without Child Care. 

Presented in conjunction with the national Day Without Childcare movement on May 8, Imagine a Day Without Child Care offers advocacy activities for providers to engage their teachers, staff, and families in their early learning programs.

About PAB and Imagine a Day Without Child Care

Since 2022, the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Provider Advisory Board has aimed to elevate the influence of early care and education providers by strengthening the policy-to-practice feedback loop, and growing the network of providers willing to mobilize and advocate on behalf of the early childhood field.

Inspired by the Day Without Child Care movement, PAB introduced Imagine a Day Without Child Care to enable child care providers unable to close on May 8 to advocate for their programs and encourage families to raise awareness around the workforce crisis, as they care for children. 

This year, Imagine a Day Without Child Care will address the following themes:

• Families on the waiting list aren’t forgotten, and we’re trying everything to get you in our doors. 
• What will higher wages mean for our early childhood educators?
• How can we give our families and staff an outlet and opportunity to share their stories?
• Connecting the workforce crisis to those who are affected by it — but might not otherwise realize it — such as business owners.

Participate in Imagine a Day Without Child Care

To support provider participation in Imagine a Day Without Child Care, PAB developed a toolkit with posters, stickers, social media posts, and an action alert for families—both currently enrolled and on waitlists.

Access the toolkit on the Start Strong PA website and join PAB in Imagine A Day Without Child Care.

Learn More

May 8, and throughout the month of May, Strong Strong PA and Pre-K for PA encourage child care providers to use their voices to advocate for increased funding in the state budget to address higher wages for early childhood educators. Please tag Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA when posting, so these organizations can elevate provider posts and ensure elected officials hear this collective message.

To learn more, visit the Start Strong PA website.