Child care center workers: Make your voice heard!

Child care center workers are coming together to demand better pay and working conditions. Elected officials in Illinois need to hear from us! Fill out this survey to make your voice heard.

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Name *

Center name

Address *

ZIP/Postal Code *

Email Address *

Phone Number *

Question Title

* 2. What is the hardest thing about working in child care right now?

Question Title

* 3. Have you witnessed any violations of workers’ or children’s rights or other requirements at your center?

No, but I know who to contact if I did

No, and I don’t know who to contact if I did

Yes, and I reported it

Yes, but I didn’t report it because I didn’t know how

Yes, but I didn’t report it for a different reason (specify)

Question Title

* 4. Which of the following supports for child care workers in Illinois have you heard of? Check all that apply.

That copays are capped at $1 for a parent working in child care, who qualifies for Child Care Assistance Program.

The Gateways Great Start (wage supplement) program

The Gateways Scholarship Program

The Early Childhood Access Consortium on Equity Scholarship Program

Mental health supports for children and staff

Resources to support children with special needs

None of the above

Question Title

* 5. How often are you asked to work out of ratio or short-staffed?

Always

Often

Sometimes

Never

Question Title

* 6. How often are you asked to work off the clock (for example working through lunch or after hours)?

Always

Often

Sometimes

Never

Question Title

* 7. How much do you usually spend out of pocket on classroom supplies each month? Please provide an average. Fill in 0 (zero) if you don’t spend any out of pocket money on supplies.

Question Title

* 8. How often do you see children with special needs not getting the staff attention that they need?

Always

Often

Sometimes

Never

Question Title

* 9. Are your work schedule and hours stable and consistent each week?

Yes

Question Title

* 10. If no, please explain

Question Title

* 11. Have you experienced obstacles or challenges accessing training or college coursework required for your job or to get a promotion/advance in the field? Check all that apply. If none apply, please select “No obstacle”.

Trainings/classes offered don’t fit my work schedule

Trainings/classes offered aren’t near my home

Not enough support for getting a college degree, like coaching/mentoring

I need a college degree and cost is an obstacle

No obstacle

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 12. At what point of your week do you complete all mandatory paperwork? Check all that apply.

At scheduled, paid hours dedicated exclusively to completing paperwork

While I’m on the clock with no specific dedicated time and in between all other daily tasks

In unpaid times in my work day such as breaks and lunch

In unpaid times in the workweek before or after my regularly scheduled hours

In unpaid times during weekends

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. Did you receive the Childcare Workforce Bonus in late 2021 or early 2022? (This was a bonus from the state of between $500-$1000 that all licensed centers were eligible to request for their staff.)

Yes

Not sure/Don’t know

Question Title

* 14. Have you considered leaving the field?

Yes

Question Title

* 15. If yes, why? (check all that apply)

Pay is too low

Benefits are expensive or nonexistent

Management doesn’t respect me

Job is too stressful

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 16. What are the top 3 things you would change about your job/working in child care if you could?

Question Title

* 17. Are you aware that unionized K-12 teachers start their careers making at least $72K per year? Teachers achieved that by coming together and fighting for better pay and working conditions. Are you ready to join the movement of child care center workers that are fighting for a livable wage similar to K-12 teachers?

Yes

I want to learn more about it

Question Title

* 18. Will you meet with legislators to tell your story?

Yes