The end of the year is approaching fast, bringing many things to the early care and education community, from celebrations to brighten the darkest days, and time off with family, to preparing for the best way to advocate for needed resources in our city, county, and state as elected leaders develop their budgets.

The SFCCPA supports the San Francisco's Child Care Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC) decision to put forward a substantial local budget ask, based on a realistic assessment of the cost to provide early care and education to both low- and middle-income families. We further support the decision to prioritize educator compensation, assessing ECE teacher compensation at levels that achieve parity with SFUSD TK-12 educators, and move all ECE teachers to self-sufficiency wages. This truly recognizes that a stable, well-compensated workforce is the keystone of a quality system.

Real faces and stories of San Francisco educators and families are key to making the change we need. The SFCCPA invites you to share your story and participate in any and all ways you can - including the upcoming action planning meetings. See "What Story Could You Share?" and SFCCPA events highlighted below.

I have also included The Hechinger Report article, How sexism and old-fashioned ideals hurt child care workers to inspire your story. The article recognizes "that a long tradition of sexism, racism, and the low value placed on early childhood education and care-a gargantuan task that mothers have been expected to do for free throughout much of history-contribute to the low expectations and low compensation afforded the women who provide this service to other people's children from their homes." Then concludes that talking of providers now "as children's first, and arguably most important, teachers outside of their own homes." Your stories will be an important part of doing just this.

As part of the ECE community, we have been encouraged by the late Mayor Lee's expressed commitment to build an expanded ECE system that serves both low- and middle-income families. Last week was a difficult one, and an important one for each of us to pause and value the path we are on, and those on it with us. My heart is with Mayor Lee's wife and daughters. I look forward to working with community and elected leaders through this transition, to carry forth a vision of human rights, social justice, diversity, and a commitment to young children and families.

Sara Hicks-Kilday

SFCCPA Director

" Experts say that a long tradition of sexism, racism, and the low value placed on early childhood education and care-a gargantuan task that mothers have been expected to do for free throughout much of history-contribute to the low expectations and low compensation afforded the women who provide this service to other people's children from their homes. An astounding 98 percent of early childhood workers are female, and an estimated 48 percent of home-based providers are women of color. (By comparison, 76 percent of the K-12 teaching force is female, and 20 percent are people of color.)

"Because those who provide this service are primarily women, many of color ... the work is devalued and therefore compensated poorly," said Marcy Whitebook, co-director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment."

You are certain to have a wonderful time in New Zealand participating in this focused professional learning opportunity that includes visits to a number of cutting-edge early childhood centers in and around Auckland. Participants enjoy an intellectually engaging and rewarding experience including multiple opportunities for self-reflection, critical thinking, and learning in dialogue.

Click here for more information!

California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAAEYC) is hosting its annual conference in Pasadena this April. Stay tuned to hear about the keynote presenters.

Click here for more information!

For comprehensive ECE job information, check out the California ECE Workforce registry, a comprehensive ECE job source!

The Registry is a state, regional, and local collaboration tracking and promoting the education, training, and experience of the early care and education workforce, and piloted in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Visit www.caregistry.org to create your account, and post or search job listings. For assistance, contact the San Francisco Professional Development Project (PDP) in the Child Development and Family Studies Department at City College, 415-452-5605, or Mona Mala, mona@childrenscouncil.org, 415-343-4669.

Jobs in the ECE Community

• Administrative Coordinator at Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center

Wu Yee Children's Services has several job openings, including:

Click here for more information about these job listings!

• What is a day in your life like? Let the SF community and leaders know what it's like to be a provider of early care and education.
• Studies show that almost half of all child care educators were enrolled in public assistance (CHIP, SNAP-food stamps, EITC, or TANF). Many work two or more jobs. What do you need to do to make it on an early educator wages and benefits?
• Are you able to afford a home in San Francisco? How? What are your living conditions like? If not, were you displaced? What is your commute like?
• Being an educator of young children is transformative work. What inspires you? What impact have you seen your and/or your colleagues' work have on the children and families in your care?