Paula, Missouri

Believing in a Strong Foundation

My first baby was born at the height of the pandemic, when child care options were limited and waitlists were long.

I put my baby on a waitlist as soon as I found out I was pregnant. We stayed on that list for two years.

At the time, we were a military family, and I began preparing to leave the workforce or change careers just to care for my child. That wasn’t a choice I wanted to make. It was shaped by the lack of safe, available child care. When my second baby was born and care was still unavailable, family members stepped in to help so I could keep working, adding stress for everyone involved.

I was nearly forced out of my career because I did not have a safe place I could take my children so I could go to work.

Paula

What High-Quality Early Learning Made Possible

The only reason I eventually found care for my boys was because I completely shifted careers.

Once my children were enrolled in a high-quality child care center, the difference was immediate. They had consistent routines, nurturing relationships, and teachers who understood how young children learn and grow. I wasn’t just finding supervision. I was finding early learning environments that supported their development and gave them a strong foundation.

Our family felt more stable. My children were thriving.

My oldest, Parker, is my youngest son’s best friend. They play together, laugh together, and curl up to watch Bluey. These everyday moments are what childhood should be made of.

I don’t qualify for assistance, yet I pay $2,500 a month for care.

Paula

Why This Matters Beyond My Family

Even now, many families are still waiting. The children my sons will grow up alongside in St. Louis, across Missouri, and across the country deserve access to high-quality early learning too.

Educators are underpaid despite their training and responsibility. Staffing shortages persist. As a middle-income single parent, I don’t qualify for assistance, yet I pay $2,500 a month for care.

I believe in my babies. I believe in the educators who help them learn and grow. And I believe that high-quality early learning is not optional. It is the foundation every child deserves.

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