WASHINGTON — On Monday, dozens of childcare centers across the D.C. area will close — not out of protest, but to send a clear message. Families, childcare providers and advocates are coming together at Freedom Plaza for the Fourth Annual Day Without Child Care. It’s part of a nationwide push, led locally by SPACEs in Action and Community Change Action, to highlight just how essential childcare is and how much support it needs.
The goal is to draw attention to the growing demand for affordable, accessible and high-quality childcare. Organizers want local and national leaders to understand that these services don’t just happen and that they depend on real investment in both the workers and the infrastructure behind them.
Without stable funding, key programs like the city’s Pay Equity Fund and childcare subsidies could be at risk. These resources help providers stay afloat and ensure families can actually afford care. Advocates are pushing hard this year to secure at least $10 million in funding to keep that support going strong…