Letter to the editor: Child care providers are frontline workers, too

Through COVID 19, we have seen essential workers (doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers, cashiers, mail delivery and the list goes on) step up, take care and go out each day to serve others. Without these individual sacrifices, times would be much harder in the pandemic, as we know it now. However, there is another group of professionals that have stepped up to ensure that all essential workers have a safe place for their children to stay each day. 

There are a total of 53 licensed child care facilities in Lenoir and Greene County. Approximately 39 have remained opened, serving roughly1814 children, during the crisis and played an integral role of the well-being and safety of the children they serve. They have made difficult decisions, faced many challenges, and dealt with financial uncertainty all the while navigating rapidly changing ensured the children in their care feel safe, loved and yes learned new things daily. 

There are around 265 early childhood teachers employed in Lenoir and Greene County.  Sadly, the median income is $10.50 per hour and most do not have benefits such as, paid leave and heath care. Often times, early childhood teachers take a second job to earn enough to support their own family. Now is time to take a look at Child Care Providers as professionals and the heroes they are. It is time to recognize childcare as the important role it serves, nurturing and educating our newest citizens in the most important period of their life. As we like to say in the early childhood profession, “I am an early childhood professional, not a baby sitter. I never have once sat on a baby!”

For more information about the Child Care industry in Lenoir and Greene County, contact the Partnership for Children of Lenoir and Greene Counties at 252-939-1200.