As public school educators in California prepare to head back to the classroom for hybrid instruction, their union is now asking the State to provide free child care for those teachers in need. Although negotiations in some California cities have allowed for teachers to bring their young children into the classroom with them, the United Teachers of Los Angeles is now asking that teachers be able to continue to work remotely until they can be provided with paid childcare.
Politico writes that some parent groups are concerned about this new ask as it's already been a year of remote learning.
“I support a lot of the things they’re fighting for, but there’s a fine line because the moment that it prevents our kids from going back to school, then that’s not okay,” said Moema Leblanc, a mother of two who struggled with remote learning while also working from home herself.
“These have been chronic issues teachers have fought for years and unfortunately the pandemic became the platform they needed. They know they can use it.”
A petition asking for LAUSD to allow "parents and care-giving educators the same choice they are offering families at large - the opportunity to continue caring for our loved ones - without leaving our jobs as the current model requires," has already garnered more than 2000 signatures.
“We do not want anything we don't believe everyone is entitled to employer support for children and families,” wrote Maya Daniels, a Los Angeles Unified teacher in the petition.
The petition recognizes that some childcare is available for children of educators, but that only applies to those who currently attend LAUSD schools. Daniels points out that children under the age of 5, with special needs or medical risks, or attending other school districts are not eligible to take advantage of those programs.
The petition doesn't seem to ask for paid childcare as much as it is asking for the ability for teachers who have children at home who require care the ability to continue to work remotely. They are asking that childcare spots in already overwhelmed daycares (who are also operating under reduced capacity) be available for those who truly cannot work from home while teachers who choose to work remotely are able to continue to do so.
The United Teachers of Los Angeles union, which represents the second-largest school district in the country according to Politico, is calling for legislation to create better options for educators and for lawmakers to “proactively work to provide better childcare support for all working families in California.”
The issue is striking a chord with many people who are at a loss as to what to do. While many parents are eager to have their children back in school, many educators are also parents who struggle with finding adequate childcare, so they can return to the classroom safely. Patrick Bernhardt, president of the San Jose Teachers Association reminds Politico that many teachers are also struggling.
“Teachers have been doing their best and many have had the same experiences as parents during the pandemic. They’ve been teaching from home while also attending to their children, and they know exactly what parents are going through,” he said.
The issue of lack of affordable, quality childcare isn't a new one. But the coronavirus health pandemic has shed a light on just how crucial it is to provide more funding for these services on a state and federal level.
Source: Politico, Action Network