Designating The Month Of September 2022 As Child Care Provider Appreciation Month.
This resolution is not merely symbolic; it is intended to highlight the challenges faced by child care providers, including inadequate compensation and food insecurity, which affect one in three child care workers in Hawaii. The average wage of child care workers is reported to be less than $30,000 a year, reflecting a systemic undervaluation of this essential workforce, which predominantly comprises women of color. The resolution calls upon policymakers, community organizations, and residents to recognize and uplift the importance of child care services and their providers.
House Resolution 62 (HR62) designates September 2022 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Month in the State of Hawaii. This resolution acknowledges the critical role child care providers play in the early development of children, particularly during the formative years before they turn five. It emphasizes the importance of high-quality early care and education in improving children's outcomes, including their emotional, cognitive, and social development. Considering that most brain development occurs within the first three years of life, the resolution promotes awareness of the need for skilled caregivers in children's early years.
While the resolution aims to honor child care providers and promote the recognition of their work, it brings to light the ongoing struggle for better compensation and working conditions for these professionals. Critics may argue that while recognition is important, it should be coupled with actionable measures that address wage disparities and workforce challenges in the child care sector. The intention behind HR62 is clear, but the path forward involves more than just a designated month of appreciation; it requires significant changes in how society values and compensates child care services.