Opinion/Letters: Common Start legislation would deliver affordable child care to families
I have been an early childhood educator on the Cape since 1979, working in child care centers, Headstart programs, and public pre-K and kindergarten programs. I’ve also juggled child care for my own children.
One of the largest changes I’ve seen over those 44 years is the shortage of educators, as many leave the field they love because wages don't come close to paying the high cost of rent, utilities and groceries. With educator shortages, classrooms have to close and waiting lists grow. Businesses cannot hire enough staff, leading them to reduce their hours or close down completely. The cost of child care is another barrier to many parents who need to work several jobs to make ends meet, but then pay a good portion of their salary for child care.
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Luckily, a solution to this crisis has been filed in the Legislature. The Common Start legislation would help deliver affordable care options for families; significantly better pay and benefits for early educators; stable funding for providers; high-quality services for children; and substantial relief for businesses. The bill would ease the stress for Massachusetts families and early educators in significant ways.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if our children were taken care of by the best educators, who could also pay their bills and receive the compensation that they deserve? Wouldn't it be fantastic if the cost of child care wasn't as much as a mortgage payment?
For more information about Common Start and how you can get involved, go to commonstartma.org
Kathy Blackwell, West Barnstable
Chatham COA proposal is no way to achieve affordable housing
As I read the latest comments by our town leaders relative to the existing Chatham Senior Center, it’s becoming clear to me that we need to question their ability to make cogent decisions that are in the best interest of those of us who reside here.
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In a clear attempt to manipulate public opinion of the previously failed new Council on Aging initiative, they are attempting to dress up the acceptability of the project by appealing to those of us who believe affordable housing is the most important problem we currently need to address by suggesting that using the old property for housing will make a meaningful impact. I hardly think asking voters to approve spending $11M-plus for a "nice but not critical to have” facility is in their term a “win-win” — well maybe it is for the 1610 Main St. property owner who will get the donation tax benefit.
I’ve yet to hear that our “leaders” have suggested or even tried to convince the 1610 Main St. property donor to consider donating the land for the much-needed construction of affordable housing units. I have no confidence that our current leadership has what it takes to impact the crisis at hand without fiscally compromising our future.
Dave Mott, Chatham
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Letters: Proposed Common Start bill provides affordable care for families
