Episode 40: The Childcare Crisis - Why Job Quality Matters for Families and Providers feat. Amy O'Leary, Gloria Valentin, and Stephanie LaPierre

The childcare crisis isn’t just about affordability—it’s about job quality. With nearly half of working parents forced out of jobs due to unstable and unaffordable childcare, the ripple effects touch every part of our economy. At the same time, childcare workers—disproportionately women and people of color—struggle with low wages, high credentialing barriers, and limited support. In this episode, we’re joined by Amy O’Leary executive director of Strategies for Children, Gloria Valentin, a family childcare educator, and Stephanie LaPierre a childcare educator at Boston University Children’s Center to explore what’s really at stake and why improving job quality is key to helping both families and providers thrive.Learn more about the National Fund's childcare initiative, Shifting the Childcare Industry: Better Jobs for Better Access.Explore the National Fund's Early Childcare Worker Career Navigation Journey Map.Learn more about Strategies for Children.