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Addressing childcare challenges is not only essential for the well-being of educators but also for the sustainability and effectiveness of the education system. We need collaboration among educational institutions, state leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to develop solutions that support teachers in balancing their personal and professional lives. That is why we worked with State Representative Scott Cepicky (House Bill 1709) and Senator Joey Hensley (Senate Bill 1718) to address this crucial issue.

The potential loss of excellent teachers due to childcare challenges is a significant concern. A lack of affordable and accessible childcare options can lead educators to make difficult decisions about their careers, including quitting teaching, impacting not only their lives but also the education system as a whole. Retaining talented and dedicated teachers is crucial for maintaining the quality of education.

The Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) highlighted key findings from the 2023 Tennessee Educator Survey. Only 78% of teachers plan to stay at their current school next year and 65% intend to remain in education long-term. School leaders report higher hiring needs for the upcoming school year, especially in schools with low economic students. The Cepicky/Hensley Bill addresses one of the critical elements of why young educators leave the field: childcare. 

Teaching is a profession that often involves working long and irregular hours, making it especially challenging for educators to find affordable childcare. Balancing work and childcare can be a complex process, especially if there are no affordable and easily accessible transportation options available.

In Tennessee, a significant number of young educators and mothers earn low salaries despite their education and responsibilities. Affordable childcare can be a substantial portion of their income, making it challenging to manage their finances. Additionally, many teachers have student loans or debt from their education, which adds to their financial burden and further emphasizes the importance of affordable childcare.

The nature of teaching, with its long and irregular hours, indeed adds another layer of complexity to the challenge of finding affordable childcare. The need for flexibility in childcare arrangements becomes crucial for educators who have demanding schedules.

The Cepicky/Hensley Bill will assist educators with unique needs, including considerations for their work hours and transportation challenges, which should be a priority in any comprehensive approach to improving childcare support. It might involve exploring flexible childcare solutions that can accommodate varying schedules and ensure that transportation barriers are minimized.

Childcare is a significant challenge for all parents, due to high costs, limited affordable options, and concerns about quality. Government assistance programs have limitations and may not cover all costs. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive examination of existing support systems and potential improvements to ensure that all families, including those in the education sector, can access quality and affordable childcare.

Finding affordable and safe childcare that is convenient and secure can be a challenge, and it’s important to ensure the well-being of the children of educators. Teachers typically have breaks in their schedules, which can create additional difficulties in finding affordable year-round childcare. Unfortunately, schools and districts rarely offer flexible work arrangements, making it difficult for teachers to adjust their work hours to better align with their childcare needs.

Addressing the issue of childcare for teachers requires a range of measures, including policy changes, boosting teacher salaries and benefits, and providing more affordable and accessible childcare options. For example, on-site daycare facilities at schools or government subsidies to cover teacher childcare costs can be helpful. Putnam County and Wilson County provide a successful model for tackling this issue.  Hamilton County also offers a possible solution.

We strongly urge the state of Tennessee and local school districts and schools to create and implement plans to address this pressing childcare problem as soon as possible. It is crucial to acknowledge the value of teachers in society and offer support, such as affordable childcare, to retain talented educators in the profession. We encourage the passage of House Bill 1709 and Senate Bill 1718.