Child care providers returned to the State Capitol on Wednesday and Thursday to urge the legislature and Governor Newsom to urgently raise provider payment rates ahead of their contracts with the state expiring on July 1. These two actions follow a rally attended by thousands of providers just last week.

Currently, according to state data, 73% of California child care providers caring for children in state programs do not pay themselves a salary due to inconsistent, low pay from the state that does not cover the full cost of providing care. Providers also work far more than 40 hours a week, with many providers providing round-the-clock care and reporting getting as little as 3 hours of sleep each night.

Low pay has created a revolving door that hurts families urgently needing care. An average of 8 licensed providers are forced to close their doors every day, according to Department of Social Services data, which does not factor in closures by friends, family, and neighbor (FFN) providers. Inconsistent access to care harms our whole state;  working parents need stable child care to continue going to work as janitors, nurses, and delivery drivers.

On Wednesday, June 18, providers gathered for a vigil on the West Steps of the Capitol to pay tribute to those who have had to shut down their services. They also urged the state to raise the rates to help stabilize child care

On Thursday, June 19, in celebration of Juneteenth—a holiday that commemorates the freedoms achieved while highlighting those still sought—providers led a “sing-in” at the Capitol Rotunda as legislators arrived for the floor session. They sang songs that drew attention to the nation’s history of racism and segregation, which has historically denied child care providers basic labor protections.