CALL TO ACTION:

Please visit www.savemarylandchildcare.org and use the appropriate links to contact Maryland policymakers to inform them of the critical role that access to childcare plays in reopening our economy and urge them to reopen licensed providers during Phase 2 of Governor Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our members, their employees, their families and the general public has remained our top priority. As Maryland takes steps toward re-opening commerce, we believe that State actions must appropriately balance public health and safety with economic realities.

Access to childcare is a foundational pillar of our economy and an absolute necessity for employees returning to work in the various phases of reopening. Our ability to maintain an operational and productive workforce depends on it.

Additionally, childcare facilities are businesses themselves, and they are presently dealing with the extra, unplanned costs of reopening and social distancing requirements which will force operation at reduced capacity. Increased costs plus reduced enrollments are sure to place a significant strain on a sector that already operates on slim margins. Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation predicts that 4.5 million childcare slots will be lost permanently as the result of widespread closures.

Childcare providers statewide are committed to following CDC Guidelines to ensure the continued health and safety of Maryland children. This includes steps like regular sanitizing, cleaning and hand washing, temperature screening and physical distancing in the classroom.

If we do not take action to support childcare providers and the families needing them, we risk losing slots permanently and undermining our economic recovery. We urge Maryland policymakers to recognize the critical role that access to childcare plays in underpinning our economy and to coordinate efforts so that the state’s childcare reopening and our economic reopening are synchronized to ensure a seamless transition.

Licensed childcare providers are the backbone of our economy. Urge Maryland policymakers to support re-opening licensed childcare facilities during Phase 2 of Governor Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery.