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Top Takeaways is a series of recaps from important conversations, town halls, webinars and virtual events about early learning.

There鈥檚 a wonderful quote : 鈥淣ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it鈥檚 the only thing that ever has.鈥� On March 15, the coalition proved the power of this sentiment with the Morning Without Child Care action, which gave the state a preview of what would happen if the industry collapsed.

Did Morning Without Child Care actually change the world? It would appear so. Connecticut legislators, previously handed a budget of $0, are now proposing $124 million to support the industry, and the success of the action has inspired a national event.

Early Learning Nation and cosponsored a on April 14 exploring how the Morning Without Child Care action came together, and lessons that apply beyond Connecticut. Moderated by author and ELN columnist Elliot Haspel, the conversation featured:

• Georgia Goldburn, and
• Eva Berm煤dez Zimmerman,
• Merrill Gay,
• Marina Rodriguez,
• Karen Rainville,

Here are our takeaways:

1. Anger can be a productive emotion. Morning Without Child Care arose out of a listserv rant. Goldburn, a veteran child care professional based in New Haven, felt disappointment, even disgust, on March 1 when she saw Governor Ned Lamont鈥檚 proposed budget included $90 million to upgrade school HVAC systems but nothing to buttress a rickety child care system.

鈥淚n the early days of the pandemic,鈥� she recalled, 鈥淲e were being venerated, celebrated, called heroes,鈥� but a budget is an expression of values, and this budget showed zero appreciation for the sacrifices made by the educators who support early learning and language development. 鈥淚 felt disrespected and undervalued,鈥� Goldburn said. Her primal scream resonated with professionals across the state, and other advocates and activists came together to harness the anger into an action plan.

2. This overnight plan was 10 years in the making. The policy team at affirmed Goldburn鈥檚 interpretation of the budget, and a series of day and evening meetings took shape, with Zimmerman, Rainville, Rodriquez, Gay and others mobilizing their networks through conference calls with 400-500 participants 鈥� and even more when Representative Rosa DeLauro got on the line.

It takes time to build those networks. Engaging providers across the state and from different types of providers (child care centers, family child care homes, group homes) means establishing relationships rooted in trust.

3. Everyone could do something. Organizers initially envisioned a day without child care, but this plan met with resistance even from providers and parents who were sympathetic to the cause. A morning demonstration proved more feasible and just as effective. Over 60 programs showed up at demonstrations across the state. Zimmerman compared her role to that of a wedding planner: delegating and making sure things are getting done.

Because members of the SEIU/CSEA union have a no-strike clause in their contracts, they brought the children along and called it a field trip. Those who couldn鈥檛 be there in person joined on social media. Recognizing that some providers couldn鈥檛 or wouldn鈥檛 actually close, Rainville said, organizers suggested that they take part in ways they felt comfortable with, such as reaching out to press, contacting parents and signing a letter of solidarity. 鈥淲hen they belonged to a living, breathing coalition,鈥� she said, 鈥淭hey no longer felt isolated.鈥� Rodriguez underscored, 鈥淐hild care workers led this action.鈥�

4. Media matters. Noting that merely closing the doors of child care facilities wouldn鈥檛 attract the TV cameras, Gay said, 鈥淧ress needs to have something to cover.鈥� Loud, colorful, peaceful demonstrations with children holding signs and singing 鈥淚f You鈥檙e Happy and You Know It鈥� 鈥� now that鈥檚 something that comes across on TV.

, Mayor Justin Elicker, father of a young daughter, expressed support for the rally and called upon the state to provide more funding. , Telemundo and other outlets covered the story.

5. Child care work is connected to social justice. Organizers and participants alike recognized that the meaning of the Morning Without Child Care goes beyond hourly wages. If Connecticut would invest $700 million in early education, the benefits would accrue across the economy, especially for families and workers of color. Instead of fighting over crumbs, Gay said, we鈥檇 be baking a whole new cake. Returning to the theme of the anger that set off this event, Goldburn asserted that it applies beyond child care: 鈥淭his goes for anything you鈥檙e passionate about.鈥�

This story originally published on Early Learning Nation and is now archived on 麻豆精品. Learn more here.