The Little Arms that Remind Us Why It Matters

I recently visited a local childcare center here in Southeastern Idaho and met a four-year-old girl who completely brightened my day. She was full of joy and curiosity and was quick to smile. It was one of those simple moments that sticks with you.

A few weeks later, I returned to that same center. Before I could even get my bearings, that same little girl spotted me. She ran straight toward me, wrapped her tiny arms around my legs, looked up with the biggest grin, and said, “I missed you!”

Imagine being on the receiving end of that kind of love every single day.

That’s the reality for our early care and education professionals. They get to experience deep connection, joy, and purpose in their work. They truly have one of the best jobs, but their job is also one of the most important jobs.

Ninety percent of a child’s brain development happens before the age of five. These early years are critical. What matters most during this time isn’t just activities or curriculum. It’s relationships.

Children thrive on consistency. They need stable, trusted adults who show up day after day. Adults who know their names, their routines, their fears, and their favorite songs. That sense of safety and connection is what allows their brains to grow, explore, and learn.

Our early care and education professionals provide that consistency. They are not “just supervising.” They are building relationships, supporting development, and creating environments where children feel secure enough to thrive.

But here’s the hard truth: when we lose early care and education providers, we don’t just lose workers. We disrupt those critical relationships.

In Bannock County, childcare providers earn an average of just $11 an hour. That’s not a living wage. And because of that, many talented, caring professionals are forced to leave the field simply to make ends meet. In 2023, the childcare industry experienced a 37% turnover rate.

When that happens, children are the collateral impact.

The trusted adult they’ve bonded with is suddenly gone. The person who greeted them each morning, comforted them when they were upset, and celebrated their milestones is no longer there. And while centers do their best to fill gaps, that loss of consistency matters deeply.

At the same time, the cost of childcare continues to rise due to factors outside of providers’ control: insurance, rent, food, and supplies. Families are feeling the pressure. More households than ever rely on two working parents, and grandparents are often still in the workforce themselves. The demand for care is high, and the system is strained.

And yet, through it all, our early care and education professionals continue to show up with patience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the children they serve.

They are educators. They are caregivers. They are the foundation of our workforce and our economy. And they are essential to the success of our communities.

Start with appreciation. Say “Thank you“. Recognize the effort, the energy, and the heart that goes into this work every single day.

Parents and providers are on the same team. We all want safe, nurturing, high-quality environments for our children. That shared goal should guide how we support one another. Lead with respect, communication, and understanding.

When challenges arise, lean into conversation and not criticism. Many policies are rooted in safety requirements, regulations, or staffing realities. Seek to understand before reacting.

Get involved. Participate in surveys, attend meetings, and engage in community conversations about childcare. Your voice matters.

Advocate. Reach out to your legislators and let them know that early learning matters. Idaho ranks 46th out of 50 states in investment in early learning and 46th in kindergarten readiness. That’s not a coincidence.

When we invest in early childhood including the professionals who provide that care, we are investing in better outcomes across the board: stronger readers, higher graduation rates, and healthier communities.

When children have strong, consistent relationships in those early years, they build the foundation for everything that comes next.

When we fail to support the people who provide that consistency, it’s our children who feel the impact most.

Our early care and education professionals are doing extraordinary work.

Let’s make sure they have the support they need to keep showing up, so that every child can have someone there to say, “I missed you too!”