On Insincerity
The Childcare Conundrum: A Philosophical Exploration of Shortages and Struggles
In an era when the importance of early childhood development is acknowledged, the persistent shortage of quality childcare seems paradoxical. Why do we continue to face so many barriers to providing quality childcare in a society that understands the importance of early childhood education? As with most problems, the answer lies in the complexity of large systems colliding. Since I recently opened a daycare, I see these obstacles as indicators of deeper philosophical tensions between our ideals and realities.
The Illusion of Funding: A Reflection on Value
Securing adequate funding is at the heart of the childcare crisis. Childcare is acknowledged as a key investment in the future. Like so many investments in an intangible future, this investment is often foregone in favor of more immediate desires. Financial institutions, driven by profit motives and risk assessments, frequently view childcare as a high-risk venture, unworthy of substantial loans or favorable terms. Government subsidies intended to bridge this gap are often too limited to substantially assist providers.
This funding issue forces us to confront an unsettling truth: despite our professed commitment to early childhood education and care, we struggle to allocate the necessary resources to support it. The difficulty in securing funding is not only a logistical challenge; it is a reflection of the value we place on childcare as a societal good. Profit takes precedence over people so the development of children becomes a casualty of economic calculations.
Bureaucratic Red Tape: The Tyranny of Complexity
Even when funding is secured, opening a daycare is only beginning. The labyrinth of bureaucratic red tape presents its own set of challenges. The process involves obtaining multiple licenses and permits, navigating conflicting regulations, and meeting requirements that often seem more punitive than protective. This is particularly true if the facility you intend to open requires renovation or construction.
This bureaucratic complexity raises philosophical questions about the nature of governance and regulation. Regulations, in theory, are designed to ensure safety and quality, but in practice, they can become barriers that discourage new providers from entering the market. The volume of rules and requirements reflects a broader tension between the desire for control and the need for flexibility—between the theater of safeguarding the vulnerable and empowering the capable.
Inspections: The Subjectivity of Standards
Inspections, intended to be objective assessments of readiness, often reveal another layer of complexity: the subjectivity of standards. While regulations provide a framework, the interpretation of these rules can vary dramatically between inspectors, especially across domains such as building, municipal permitting, fire, and child care licensing. This leads to inconsistent and sometimes contradictory demands. This variability introduces an element of unpredictability that can be both frustrating and disheartening for providers.
Philosophically, this subjectivity speaks to the broader issue of authority and power. When individual preferences override written regulations, it raises questions about the nature of justice and fairness in applying rules. How can we reconcile the need for uniformity with the reality of human interpretation - especially when interpretation is not motivated in favor of the spirit of the requirements? This dilemma is not unique to childcare but reflects broader societal challenges in ensuring equity and consistency in governance.
The Waiting Game: Time as a Silent Barrier
Even after overcoming funding hurdles, navigating bureaucracy, and passing inspections, there remains one final obstacle: the passage of time. The approval process for opening a daycare can stretch for months, leaving providers in limbo. This waiting period is more than just an inconvenience; it is a barrier that delays providing much-needed services to families. It is easy to exhaust funds during this waiting period; if a provider wants to be ready for children as soon as they are approved, staff must already be background checked and on payroll.
The Economics of Care: Unrealistic Subsidies and Devalued Labor
The inadequacy of government subsidies further complicates the childcare landscape. Subsidy rates, often set far below the actual costs of providing quality care, create an economic environment where providers must operate on the brink of financial viability. This disconnect between the cost of care and the value placed on it by society underscores a deeper philosophical question: What is the worth of nurturing young minds?
Compounding this issue is the chronic underpayment of childcare workers. Despite their crucial role in shaping the future, these workers are often compensated poorly, leading to high turnover and instability in the industry. Even large, publicly traded childcare chains—despite their profit margins—pay their staff at the bottom of the market. This disparity between profit and pay reflects a broader societal tendency to undervalue care work, which is at odds with our professed commitment to children’s well-being.
Johnson County, KS, for example, will pay $6.21/hour for an infant in a childcare center. For ten-hour days five days a week, that is $310/week and about $1242/month. Kansas ratios for infants require one teacher to every four children with a maximum of eight children in a room. If there are four infants, the next infant requires a second staff person regardless of enrollment.
If a provider wants to compensate teachers at a rate commensurate with their experience and education, the cost goes much higher very quickly. My center pays an average of $21.36 and provides and subsidizes benefits which is uncommon in this field.
Conclusion: Bridging the Gap Between Ideals and Reality
The childcare shortage is more than a logistical or economic issue; it reflects the philosophical tensions that underlie our society.
The almighty dollar and desire for power disrupt the requirements of investing in the future. We are constantly reminded of the gap between the ideals we hold and the realities we face. The process has made it clear that significant reform is needed—reform that not only addresses the practical barriers to opening and running a daycare but also bridges the philosophical divide between our societal values and the reality of providing childcare.