Maryland has suspended the Chlld Care Credential Program, which will harm both workers and families, Christina Peusch writes. File photo by Getty Images.
We are in the midst of a national child care crisis, and Maryland is no exception. Child care is essential for all Marylanders – impacting everyone, including those without children or families who do not need child care services. Ask any business how a lack of consistent, affordable child care affects them, and you’ll hear how workers are stressed and productivity plummets when employees cannot come to work or focus due to child care issues.
According to Child Care Aware of America, the child care workforce has declined by 26% since the pandemic began. Maryland alone has witnessed the closure of over 1,000 child care programs since 2020. The situation is dire for these small businesses, many of which are run by women from marginalized communities.
The average salary for a lead teacher in a Maryland child care center ranges between $26,000 and $31,000 per year, as reported by the Maryland Family Network. These businesses rely heavily on Maryland State Department of Education programs such as the Child Care Credential Program.