State’s first union for family child care aims to improve services for nearly 70,000 children

Nearly 6,000 home-based child care providers across Maryland now have a united voice for their profession, after voting in a statewide election to form their union with SEIU Kids First.

Ballots were counted by the American Arbitration Association and results announced Sept. 25. Providers voted to join together in SEIU Kids First by more than 75 percent.

“This is an exciting day for family child care providers and the kids and parents who depend on us,” said Madie Green, a provider in District Heights for more than 25 years.

“Now we have the strong voice we need to stand up for affordable, quality child care in Maryland.”

The nearly 6,000 providers receive part of their pay from the state, through the Department of Education’s “Purchase of Care” program, which helps parents afford child care so they can work and support their families. But the rates at which providers are reimbursed are so low, and payments so unreliable, that many can’t afford to stay in the profession. Since 1994, Maryland communities have lost nearly 3,000 licensed family child care providers.

“Parents trust child care providers every day to do what’s right for our kids,” said Donya Paul, a mother from Wheaton who uses family child care.
 
“With a united voice, our providers can work together to make child care a better place for our children and more reliable for working parents.”

Providers’ union will be able to negotiate with the state for more training opportunities, access to affordable health insurance, better reimbursements from the Purchase of Care program, and other improvements that would help providers keep serving their communities. The election does not affect the relationship between parents and their child care providers.
 
“The only thing parents will notice is that the quality will improve, and it will be easier for families to find care when they need it,” Green said.

Providers worked together for nearly three years to gain the right to vote for their union-forming a statewide steering council and organizing committee, and joining with parents and community advocates to lobby elected officials.

Providers’ victory in Maryland reflects a growing trend in child care policy nationwide. Since 2005, ten states have given providers the freedom to form a union, and Illinois, Oregon, and Washington have already approved union contracts to stabilize the industry and improve access to affordable, quality child care.

Madie GreenNearly 6,000 family child care providers could soon win a stronger voice for affordable, quality child care. Beginning Friday, providers will vote by mail in Maryland’s first union election for home-based child care.

“Child care has become a crisis for children, parents, and providers,” said Madie Green, a provider in District Heights for more than 25 years.

“Parents are struggling to find affordable, quality child care, but a lot of providers just can’t afford to keep our doors open. This election is our chance to stand up for the kids and families who depend on us.”

Maryland communities have lost nearly 3,000 licensed family child care providers since 1994. After subtracting operating expenses, providers in Maryland make an average of $15,840 per year, less than the poverty line for a family of three.

Governor O’Malley has just given providers in Maryland the freedom to form a union, and have a stronger voice for ourselves and our kids.

Over 3,000 of us signed cards saying we want to join together in our union, SEIU Kids First. Today we asked the state to hold an election, so all providers can make this decision together and move forward to improve child care in Maryland.

In September, Maryland providers will cast our votes in a mail ballot election. We will be in touch with more details soon.

If you are a provider and have questions about our union or the upcoming election, just call or email.

Please join us in voting YES for our union—SEIU Local 500!

Denise Disney and Madie Green met with Senator Barack Obama recently to ask him about his plans to solve the health care crisis, make it easier for working people to join together in unions, and create a new American dream.

The hour-long interview will be shown to SEIU members and leaders to help decide which candidate for president will win SEIU members’ endorsement. Read more at Walk A Day In My Shoes.

Dozens of providers and supporters rallied in downtown Baltimore on May 1 to ask the Department of Education to pay its debt to Maryland’s children.

Providers delivered oversized invoices for months of unpaid child care, listing the cost to kids and working families: over 100,000 hours of early education and care for thousands of children.

Providers struggling with late pay told their stories to reporters from all four local news stations and the Baltimore Sun:

WBAL-11 News | WJZ-13 News | Baltimore Sun