When the pandemic first hit, I thought to myself, “I can get through these next couple of weeks working from home with my 12-, 6-, and 3-year-old.” Well, I was in for a rude awakening.

Managing distance learning for my older two, working from home full-time, and a busy preschooler, was more than a challenge. To make the juggling even more challenging, my youngest son’s childcare center closed, and my immediate feeling was panic.

How was I going to get my job done without child care? How was my preschooler going to get what he needed, developmentally and socially, while at home? 

This pandemic crisis has really opened my eyes to how important early care is to our society as a whole, but especially to working moms. When my youngest was in child care, I knew he was safe and well taken care of, both physically and emotionally.  I could focus on my work and not have to worry that he was getting into a small container of beads or spreading lotion and glitter all over the bathroom.

My son’s childcare will not be reopening, and our family is struggling to find another slot for him. Bond Question 5 will help support working families, and it will support child care providers’ ability to remain open to meet our community’s needs. It is more important than ever to invest in childcare.  Without access to early care, families cannot return to work. 

Stephanie Ferreira
Bristol