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Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 1d

Loss of the enhanced tax credits for the ACA will be devastating to childcare, a system that is already teetering on the edge. (And nearly 30% of childcare workers across the country are on Medicaid!).

Tina Smith @smith.senate.gov · 1d

“I honestly feel in that group of people where I will probably drop health insurance”

What kind of country do we live in that we can’t agree to help people like CHILDCARE PROVIDERS see their doctor?

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 2d

Our Monday leader shoutout is Michala Prigge of @BigWonderChildCare who when asked if she would tell her healthcare story to @SenatorTina Smith, took a deep breath and replied that although she was nervous, she knew she needed to level up her leadership and step into her power!

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 5d

Did you know we can solve this by fully funding childcare? Teachers could afford their lives, not have to work 74 hours a week, and families could afford childcare.

We need elected officials to fight for us, not for tax cuts for billionaires. #FundChildCare

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 6d

Just a little reminder of WHO we are and WHAT we do - we're real people, with real stories, organizing for REAL change. #FundChildCare #KidsCountOnUs

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 14d

Yes, we need to change how we do childcare licensing in Minnesota - Our leaders are deep into that work. AND, we also need to #FundChildCare so providers can make upgrades when necessary!

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/09/24/child-care-providers-in-minnesota-want-to-change-strict-rules

Child care providers want changes to strict rules that result in costly upgrades, licensing issues

Family home-based child care providers are leaving the profession. Some say it’s because of complex regulations and strict enforcement that’s driving up the cost of doing business. But, there is bipartisan legislation that could change that.

www.mprnews.org

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 14d

The headline! It is absolutely a CHOICE to have childcare be this terrible.

https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2025/09/child-care-doesnt-have-to-be-this-terrible/

Child care doesn’t have to be this terrible

It was only after months of expensive child care stress that I learned other countries don’t do it this way.

www.minnpost.com

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 15d

"Child care is infrastructure that benefits everyone."

Full stop. #FundChildCare

https://www.startribune.com/mn-childcare-cost-stay-at-home-mothers/601476978?utm_source=gift

Opinion | Child care is fundamental to women’s workforce participation

"Child care is infrastructure that benefits everyone. It’s essential to the functioning of the economy and quality of life for all Americans," the authors write.

www.startribune.com

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Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 16d

It's Monday! And we want to introduce you to our Monday leader shoutout, Faith Warner, the director of @CreativeKidsAcademyAnoka. See all those people that turned out for our roundtable last week with Rep. Zack Stephenson - Faith turned them out!

#childcareprovider

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Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 20d

She added that her program keeps all the kids who have challenges that lead to them being asked to leave other centers, but to do so, they have to charge $26,000 a year for infants. "That makes us elitist, so the children that NEED our program can't afford it."

Kids Count on Us @kcoumn.bsky.social · 20d

THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE...

"I've been in the classroom for two years straight because we can't hire teachers. I work all day Saturday and all day Sunday." (To do her actual job as director.)

There is a better way - #FundChildCare #mnleg