Day of Action with Wisconsin Child Care Providers ‘In Crisis’

Corrine Hendrickson has run a child care center in Wisconsin for close to 20 years. But the New Glarus area provider may be forced to close the doors of Corrine’s Little Explorers Family Child Care Center. It’s not due to a lack of demand for services, but instead a lack of state investment. 

Hendrickson points out an example of a new payroll tax that went into effect in Vermont last year. It funds the Child Care Financial Assistance Program which subsidizes costs for families based on income. The move doubled child care funding in the state and Hendrickson says it also led to impressive gains with more providers, more open slots, and a higher workforce participation rate. 

“It’s an investment with a return,” she explains. “In Washington, D.C., they have seen $23 back for every dollar spent after increasing wages for providers. And Canada’s universal $10-a-day program boosted their gross domestic product measurement (GDP) by one percent.”

But in Wisconsin, conversations are stalled. Lawmakers are refusing to commit to sustained state-level funding, despite a $4 billion surplus.  

“We’ve been told the only plan on the table is deregulation,” Hendrickson says. “That means allowing 16-year-olds to care for multiple toddlers alone. It’s unsafe, and even the insurance companies are pulling out because of the increased risk.”

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Hendrickson joined Jane Matenaer and Greg Bach, hosts of Matenaer on Air, to discuss the National Day of Action “A Day without Child Care” happening across Wisconsin on Monday, May 12:

She also shared details of a recent community event meant to raise awareness of the child care crisis with Todd Allbaugh, host of The Todd Allbaugh Show:

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Small business owners are also feeling the effects. Matt Raboin owns Brix Cider in Mount Horeb and during a recent community event hosted by the Main Street Alliance talked about the difficulties in retaining staff if access to child care is unreliable.

“He can’t afford to offer it as a benefit,” Hendrickson says. “And without support, businesses lose good workers.”

She also believes the issue transcends politics. 

“Both Democrats and Republicans need child care,” Hendrickson explains. “And if you want to increase birth rates and support families, you have to fund the services they rely on.”

Hendrickson plans to help lead the National A Day Without Child Care on Monday, May 12. It’s a coordinated effort across the state and nation meant to highlight what happens when providers close, even for just one day. There are 10 public events scheduled across Wisconsin and many others will be happening on a smaller level. She calls the goal of the day simple – get lawmakers to see what’s at stake.  

“This is Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s Provider Appreciation Day on Friday. And instead of feeling valued, we’re looking at closing our doors,” Hendrickson says. “I’ve done everything right. I’ve won awards. I’ve been stable. And I still may not survive. That should terrify all of us.”

Read more from a Wisconsin Department of Children and Families report highlighting the consequences of allowing the current child care investment program to expire here.