[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5181-S5182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL CHILD CARE WORTHY WAGE DAY

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 137, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 137) designating May 1, 2005, as 
     ``National Child Care Worthy Wage Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to the consideration 
of the resolution.
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise today, along with Senators 
Lautenberg, Bingaman, Dodd, Durbin, Feingold, Inouye, Kerry, Boxer and 
Kennedy, to speak about a resolution supporting National Child Care 
Worthy Wage Day. It is my hope that it will bring attention to early 
childhood education and the importance of attracting and retaining 
qualified childcare workers.
  Every day, approximately 13 million children are cared for outside 
the home so that their parents can work. This figure includes 6 million 
of our Nation's infants and toddlers. Children begin to learn at birth, 
and the quality of care they receive will affect them for the rest of 
their lives. Early childcare affects language development, math skills, 
social behavior, and general readiness for school. Experienced 
childcare workers can identify children who have development or 
emotional problems and provide the care they need to take on life's 
challenges. Through the creative use of play, structured activities and 
individual attention, childcare workers help young children learn about 
the world around them and how to interact with others. They also teach 
the skills children will need to be ready to read and to learn when 
they go to school.
  Unfortunately, despite the importance of their work, the committed 
individuals who nurture and teach our Nation's young children are 
undervalued. The average salary of a childcare worker is just under 
$18,000 annually. In 1998, the middle 50 percent of child care workers 
and preschool teachers earned between $5.82 and $8.13 an hour, 
according to the Department of Labor. The lowest 10 percent of 
childcare workers were paid an hourly rate of $5.49 or less. Only one 
third of our Nation's childcare workers have health insurance and even 
fewer have

[[Page S5182]]

pension plans. This grossly inadequate level of wages and benefits for 
childcare staff has led to difficulties in attracting and retaining 
quality caretakers and educators. As a result, the turnover rate for 
childcare providers is 30 percent a year. This high turnover rate 
interrupts consistent and stable relationships that children need to 
have with their caregivers.
  If we want our children cared for by qualified providers with higher 
degrees and more training, we will have to make sure they are 
adequately compensated. Otherwise, we will continue to lose early 
childhood educators with BA degrees to kindergarten and first grade, 
losing some of our best teachers of young children from the early years 
of learning.
  In order to bring attention to childcare workers, I am sponsoring a 
resolution that would designate May as National Child Care Worthy Wage 
Day. On May 1 each year, childcare providers and other early childhood 
professionals nationwide conduct public awareness and education efforts 
highlighting the importance of good early childhood education.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance of 
the work and professionalism that childcare workers provide and the 
need to increase their compensation accordingly. The Nation's childcare 
workforce, the families who depend on them, and the children they care 
for, deserve our support.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to, en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution be 
printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 137) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 137

       Whereas approximately 14,000,000 children are in out-of-
     home care during part or all of the day so that their parents 
     may work;
       Whereas the turnover rate of early-childhood educators is 
     approximately 30 percent per year because low wages and a 
     lack of benefits make it difficult to retain high-quality 
     educators;
       Whereas research has demonstrated that young children 
     require caring relationships and a consistent presence in 
     their lives for their positive development;
       Whereas the compensation of early-childhood educators 
     should be commensurate with the important job of helping the 
     young children of the United States develop the social, 
     emotional, physical, and intellectual skills they need to be 
     ready for school; and
       Whereas resources may be reallocated to improve the 
     compensation of early-childhood educators to ensure that 
     quality care and education are accessible for all families;
       Whereas the Center for the Child Care Workforce and other 
     early childhood education organizations recognize May 1st as 
     National Child Care Worthy wage Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 1, 2005, as ``National Child Care Worthy 
     Wage Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Child Care Worthy Wage Day by--
       (A) honoring early-childhood educators and programs in 
     their communities; and
       (B) working together to resolve the early-childhood 
     educator compensation crisis.

                          ____________________