by: Amanda Goodwin, CEO, Logatot

Whenever I come across another piece praising the incredible efforts of child care providers, I cringe a bit. Not because the work isn’t impressive—far from it. What bothers me is that often, society’s well-meaning appreciation feels hollow.

The words might be right, but where’s the follow-through with meaningful action? It’s frustrating because it’s the opposite of what we strive to teach and model for our kids: that actions speak louder than words.

After nearly a decade working in trauma-informed care and early education, I’ve come to believe that three critical areas must be addressed to solve America’s child care crisis: Compensation, Compliance, and Customers.

1. Compensation

We all know this will continue to be a public and private challenge. There’s no denying that state and federal funding must keep flowing into both private and public-funded child care markets to help offset the painfully high costs of quality care. This isn’t news—it’s a necessity.

2. Compliance

Here’s a hard truth: Compliance is driving talented providers out of the profession. In a 2021 Erikson study, nearly 80% of former family child care providers cited compliance as the biggest contributor to job dissatisfaction and burnout (Source: Family Child Care Educators' Perspectives on Leaving, Staying, and Entering the Field: Findings from the Multi-State Study of Family Child Care Decline and Supply). This is a crisis within a crisis, and it’s something we can’t afford to ignore.

3. Customers

Families are essential partners in this work, and their needs are paramount. But let’s be clear—there’s still a lack of support in helping families set realistic and meaningful expectations. Without this, the burden on providers only grows heavier, creating an unsustainable cycle of stress and frustration.

In this space, we will explore the tools, technology, and techniques available to those working in and relying on child care. Together, we can #useourvoice to advocate for better compensation, more reasonable compliance measures, and stronger partnerships with families. The goal? To build and sustain more desirable and profitable careers in care—because that’s what our children, our providers, and our communities deserve.