A coalition of Minnesota child care providers is set to close their doors on Monday as part of a statewide Day of Action, aiming to bring attention to the challenges facing the industry. The demonstration is expected to impact hundreds of families who rely on these services, highlighting ongoing concerns about funding, staffing shortages, and affordability.
Why Are Providers Protesting?
Child care providers across the state say they are struggling with rising costs, workforce shortages, and inadequate government support. Many small, independent providers argue that without policy changes, they won’t be able to keep their businesses afloat.
“We love what we do, but we can’t continue operating when the numbers don’t add up,” said Lisa Rodriguez, a Minneapolis-based provider. “The cost of providing quality care keeps going up, but funding and wages haven’t kept pace.”
One of the biggest concerns is low pay for child care workers, who often earn less than a living wage despite the high cost of child care for parents. This has led to staffing shortages, forcing some providers to limit enrollment or close altogether.
Impact on Families and Economy
The temporary closures will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and families who depend on reliable child care. Parents scrambling to find backup care say the lack of affordable options puts working families in a bind.
“It’s hard enough finding a good provider, and when one closes—even for a day—it’s a big disruption,” said Megan Callahan, a St. Paul mother of two. “I support what they’re doing, but we need real solutions.”
What Providers Are Demanding
Advocates are calling for increased state and federal funding, higher wages for child care workers, and policies that make child care more affordable for families while ensuring providers can sustain their businesses.
The Day of Action is expected to include rallies, petitions, and meetings with legislators, urging immediate reforms. Whether state lawmakers respond with concrete policy changes remains to be seen.
