Child Care Center Campaign News

Why Should Directors Join SEIU?

Pam Moore, Program Supervisor, SeaTac Christian Daycare, SeaTac

As I have talked with my fellow directors and teachers over the years, I hear the same story. Teachers are grossly underpaid, many barely making minimum wage, and therefore the turnover is high. Even the most dedicated teacher can only afford to stay in the field a short time unless s/he has another income source. The reality of life is our child care teachers need to be able to live independently, have access to health care and become better educated so they can provide the very best for the children in their care. Up to now, child care teachers have had no recourse for making change.

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Why Should Teachers Join SEIU?

Carmen Gilmore, Teacher, Kidz Academy, Lakewood

I would like to share with you why it is important to join SEIU. Child care is my profession as I know it is for most of you, and by joining with SEIU we will get the respect we deserve for the important work we all do. As a lead teacher I want to make sure that my voice is heard. I want to reach out to our community and let them know how hard it is to get the respect from not just the parents but from other people who are not in our profession. We are the pathway of our future and by joining SEIU we will be given a voice.

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Teacher's Update: Statewide Steering Council

Karla Walrod, Lead Teacher, Wee Care Early Learning Center, Burlington

I decided to go to the statewide Steering Council meeting because I was intrigued about what all would be involved with forming a child care center union. I had heard some talk about the family child care providers’ union, so I decided to attend the meeting to learn more about the child care center campaign and how to get involved.

I have never been involved with a union, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It was interesting to hear the family child care providers speak about their campaign to form a union, and their victory in winning their first contract with the state.

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Director's Update: Statewide Steering Council

Jeri Finch, Director, Learning Way School & Daycare, Seattle

Earlier this summer I was able to be a part of SEIU Local 925’s first Steering Council for the Child Care Center Campaign. Directors and teachers from child care centers across Washington State met to discuss forming a new model for a union where child care directors and staff sit side by side, not opposite each other, at a bargaining table with the State.The plan at this time is for center staff and directors, as union members, to negotiate with the State for increased funding and benefits. Discussions followed on what needs to be done to get the word out to all the centers in the state.

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Teacher's Corner: Fall Preschool Project

Donna Brecken, Lead Teacher, Richard Allen Youth Academy, Spokane

My name is Donna Brecken and I am the lead preschool teacher at Richard Allen Youth Academy in Spokane. Each month we introduce a letter of the alphabet and highlight it in many of our activities. In November, our letter will be “t.” Here is an activity that includes large and fine motor skill development, writing, science, art, and getting outside in the fresh air!

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Directors' Corner: Field Trips

Peggy Rand, Assistant Director & Shannon Manes, Director, Mulberry Bush Preschool, Spokane

We take the children at our center on many different exciting field trips. It is always a worry that someone might wander off in a crowded, public place, so to make things a little easier we did a tie dye shirt project with the kids. All of the kids have matching tie dye shirts and we keep these at the center and they are worn on every field trip.

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Join With SEIU For Quality Child Care!

Child care teachers and directors in Washington State are working TOGETHER with SEIU Local 925.
Together we can work to:

Increase state and federal funding for Child Care
Gain a powerful voice for our Child Care Profession
Advocate for professional development, education, and training
Retain quality staff by stabilizing wages and benefits

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Get involved!

To learn more about the campaign, upcoming events, and how to get involved call Brooke Lather, Organizing Director, at 1-866-SEIU-925 x329 or email brooke@seiu925.org.