With the start of the new year, many individuals are setting goals to ensure 2024 brings value, success and more. After celebrating 25 years of Idaho AEYC being a champion for children and families in 2023,  we  have reflected on the impactful work accomplished last year. As we eagerly step into our 26th year, the anticipation builds and we stand ready to continue our unwavering commitment to championing the well-being of children and families in Idaho.

With Idaho being one of the few states that does not provide state funding for pre-K programs, this increases costs for child care centers, families and, in turn, employers. Even with federal funding, families are still struggling to afford child care. This leaves families with little to no options for support, resulting in families making tough decisions and leaving employment. This does not just affect singular families, this impacts Idaho’s economy as a whole.

Below, you will read a letter written by a high school student who cares for their young niece. This letter embodies why Idaho AEYC persists. We stand committed in our mission, to support Idaho’s early learning profession and advocate for children, families and early education professionals.  We do this in hopes of sparing families from having to make tough decisions that impact generations. We do this so young children, teenagers and caregivers in Idaho can thrive.

The Expense of Child Care
I am a sophomore at Borah High School. I’m here today to talk about the expense of childcare and how it affects a teenager like me. As a highschooler you usually think of being a dumb teen without a care in the world and, I don’t necessarily disagree with that. A bunch of my friends get to experience their high school years in an adventure to make memories and connections. When I was thirteen, my sister had my niece. She is my new best friend, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. My sister and my niece’s dad split up, meaning they live with me and my mom again. Since they are no longer together, the childcare fell onto me when my sister and my mom work. Unfortunately, we can’t afford daycare considering we barely are able to make it by as is. Now we don’t live a super poor lifestyle, my mom makes pretty good income as well as my sister. But childcare would make it nearly impossible to afford the everyday things. So, then the burden of childcare falls on me. After school nearly every day, I go home, and babysit my niece.

While I want to get a job, I can’t because even if I did my mom said I would still need to babysit. It is difficult not being able to see and hang out with my friends because I have to babysit my niece just because childcare is so expensive. Every day I wake up, I go to school, I go home, I clean the house, I make my niece dinner, and then my mom gets home around sometimes as late as 8 o’clock. After she gets home, I have to fit in time for homework and shower, and also just time for myself to decompress, so I get to bed pretty late. In my parenting and child development class I am learning how important the first 5 years are to a child. I want my niece to have every advantage so she can be successful in the future but without financial support it seems like an impossible dream.

Early childcare is very important. Not many think about the effect the first five years have on a child. School might not start until kindergarten, but their brains are developing constantly and rapidly. My niece, is three years old and hasn’t been able to get the best of early childcare. With me and my mom and sister being her main resources, she is doing the best she can with what she has. She is very smart and excels in her motor and language development. I know that this is not the case for all children and some kids need extra help when it comes to early development. I believe strongly that all children should receive the same opportunity for early learning, no matter the circumstance. And that just because a parent can’t give the child their full potential in learning, doesn’t mean that there is no concern for the child.

I hope that this letter has opened your eyes and put yourself in my shoes for a moment. As a high schooler, people most likely wouldn’t think this affects me. Both my niece and I would thrive much more if childcare wasn’t so expensive, and if there were more ways to work around the cost. If anything, I hope to help parents and caretakers around Idaho who have trouble in the financial field.

Sincerely,

High School Student
Boise, ID