Minnesota Child Care Providers Speak Up

"We need to stand united..."

“We need to stand united as child care providers in order to continue to provide programs that children and parents need. And winning fair compensation for quality care and increased public funding for quality programs is at the top of our list.”  - Kelly Martini, Family Child Care Provider

Since 2005, Minnesota’s family child care providers have united with SEIU (Service Employees International Union) to improve conditions in their industry and win adequate support for their important work with Minnesota kids.  We are SEIU Kids First, Minnesota's Child Care Providers Union and this is why we are organizing:

“…to offer better services for the families we serve…[With] family childcare children do not get lost in the system. They are given the one to one attention which is so valuable.” – Sandy Dinndorf, Family Child Care Provider
“Providers need to have a voice in regard to what is happening to family child care. Providers need to have choices and benefits.”  -- Luanne Caton, Family Child Care Provider

“I want to have some benefits being a daycare provider. I also want to have a voice in what rules are coming up.” --Robyn R. Johnson, Family Child Care Provider

“We need a say in how these children--our future--will grow. I spend an average of 50 hours a week with these beautiful kids. We need to be there for them.” – Pam Koepp, Small Wonders Day Care

“It is very important to vote for children and in-home providers because families should be together. [In family child care] the very young, middle, and older kids learn skills from each other—skills that include…manners and social skills.” – Terry Bicknell, Family Child Care Provider

“Daycare providers, who spend 50 to 60 hours each week in care of society’s children, are the most valuable resources to the State of Minnesota…If we want to bring quality to children, we must first recognize providers and listen to the valuable input they have.” – Elizabeth Brylski, Family Child Care Provider