Vermont Business Magazine: Vermont CEOs declare support for public investment in childcare
Vermont Business Magazine: Today (announced on April 25), the Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) stated their support for public investment in a childcare system that meets the needs of all Vermont children, families, and employers. VBR is composed of 100 CEOs and leaders from Vermont’s top business and nonprofit employers. Member businesses employ thousands of Vermonters and are represented in nearly every sector of the economy and every region of the state.
“The Vermont Business Roundtable urges all Vermonters to recognize publicly-funded childcare as the best investment we can make for children and families, for employees, and for the Vermont economy – in that order,” said Seth Bowden, President of VBR. “The Roundtable has championed the importance of childcare for more than two-decades. Our state’s early childhood education challenge continues, and the resulting disparities have become more pronounced in the context of the pandemic. As business leaders, community members, and Vermonters we believe addressing comprehensive childcare cannot continue to wait.”
The Roundtable’s collective support for this investment is built upon core principles established in January of 2021(link is external). These principles state that any revenues identified to implement a statewide public childcare system must be transparent, equitable, competitive, and sustainable for both the state and Vermont’s economy.
Bowden continued “We appreciate the leadership of Let's Grow Kids on this critical social and economic issue. They have been advocates for children and families for more than 10 years. And while the details and funding mechanism still need to be worked out and negotiated, we support the goals and policy priorities of their work.”
On Wednesday, April 27th, VBR will join other business champions from across the state as part of Vermont’s Child-care Campaign to formally declare their support for public investment in childcare. Launched in 2021, the Campaign empowers Vermonters to advocate for the policy change and public investment needed to sustain a high-quality childcare system.
“VBR’s declaration of support for a publicly funded, high-quality, affordable childcare system that pays early childhood educators a fair wage, shows how critical this investment is for Vermont businesses,” said Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids. “Our ability to thrive as a state, maintain the stable workforce our businesses need and drive economic growth, relies on parents and guardians being able to get to work. Without access to affordable childcare, retaining, recruiting and supporting employees has become a barrier for too many business owners. This declaration from VBR brings us one step closer towards a brighter future for Vermont and ensuring that it is the best place to do business and live. We look forward to continuing our advocacy alongside the business leaders of VBR, as we build a childcare system that works for all Vermonters.”
VBR’s full statement of support for public investment in childcare is available here.