Some Minnesota childcare centers close on Monday for 'Day Without Childcare'
Some Minnesota child care centers are closed on Monday in observance of "A Day Without Childcare."
The demonstration day is the work of "Kids Count On Us," which is seeking to highlight the importance of childcare that is not only affordable and accessible to families, but that pays providers a living wage.
"Today is March 3 and childcare providers across Minnesota are closing their doors to show our communities and our elected leaders that childcare is vital to thriving communities and families, teachers, and providers need funding to ensure child care is affordable and accessible, kids get high quality childcare, and teachers can earn living wages!" a post reads from the organization.
Kids Count On Us represents more than 500 community-based childcare centers across Minnesota.
According to its website, the coalition is aiming to have more than 100 childcare centers across the state close on Monday. Bring Me The News reached out to the organization to learn an exact number of childcare businesses participating, but haven't heard back.
Events have been planned in St. Paul, Virginia, Bemidji, Duluth and Rochester.
A 2022 Employment and Economic Development (DEED) report shows that single parents spend nearly 22% of their income on childcare alone.
The average cost of a spot for center-based childcare in Minnesota was more than $20,000 in 2024, according to the Office on the Economic Status of Women. At the same time, the average childcare worker makes just $14.53-an-hour in Minnesota.
The organization believes that the state should fully find the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which "provides support to make great child care affordable no matter one's income."
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