Melva Ramirez | San Ysidro, CA | Child care provider for 10 years

My biggest priority has always been giving the children in my care the best experience possible. It can be tough at times because the costs to run my daycare – things like school supplies and food – have gone up, but my wages have barely increased.

With 14 kids in my care, I rely on assistants to help me provide each child individualized attention so they can learn and grow. It is incredibly difficult, trying to make enough money to pay my assistants while also trying to keep up with all of the other expenses—let alone putting food on the table for my own family.

I’ve been running my daycare for 10 years, and I love what I do. But I’ve met too many low income parents and single mothers who are desperate for quality, affordable child care for their kids, and don’t have access to it. These parents risk losing their jobs when they are unable to work because they have no place to take their children.

We have to do better for children, families, and providers.