Last year, Michigan took bold steps toward providing free prekindergarten for all 4-year olds and the legislature expanded funding which expanded the number of children eligible for free prek. But this year's expansion is not as clear.

Legislative leaders have heard from school districts and their lobbyists - and they're fighting hard to keep preschool in the school building - but licensed, community-based child care providers have been a part of Michigan's prek program from the beginning. Some proposals exclude community-based child care from the expansion, and require CBO's to match the pay scale of the local school district - without the resources to do so. The proposals being considered would push 4-year-olds out of community-based programs into programs provided by a school district.

Infant and toddler care is already impossible to come by - waiting lists are over a year long - and removing 4-year olds from those programs would make the economics of running a small business child care even more dire.

Every economic study of early learning and care has come to the same conclusion - public dollars dedicated are not enough to support the wages necessary of educated professionals that provide quality care, and parents of young kids cannot afford to pay more. The state must increase funding for low-income families to access child care, so teachers in their classrooms can make a living wage.

We support the state expansion of 4-year-old prekindergarten because it supports kindergarten readiness and balances inequitable access to reliable, quality programs. But from six weeks-47 months old, access to reliable child care gives employees the chance to produce at their best. Michigan’s economic stability and growth depend on a reliable workforce, and every industry relies on child care.

The reality is, parents can't afford to pay and teachers can't afford to stay.