"We're demanding recognition," former childcare provider DeeDee Fields said. "We want fair compensation. We want health protections and a retirement pathway for the workforce that makes all the work possible."
Childcare is one of the biggest expenses North Carolinians face, with infant care more costly than in-state college tuition per year, according to data. Childcare for a four-year-old costs nearly $8,000 a year.
Since 2020, North Carolina has seen a record loss of licensed childcare programs. Durham County, for example, experienced a 14% drop.
"I think a lot of people are making these tough choices about what makes the most sense for their family," Nylah Jimerson said.
Jimerson used to work as a nanny before she became a parent. She's one of more than a quarter of parents in North Carolina who left the workforce to stay home to care for children.
As North Carolina is the only state without a new budget, childcare is top of mind for State Sen. Sophia Chitlik, who co-authored a package of bills that aims to better support the industry, including making childcare more affordable.
"The 'Child Care Omnibus' is part of a series of bills that have budget requirements and budget asks in them," Chitlik said. "But we're not going to know until we get a state budget. The most urgent and important thing, in addition to those subsidies, is raising the subsidy floor ... so I hope that there is bipartisan consensus that would be worked out in a state budget."
North Carolina could remain without a budget until the legislature is back in session in April.
"We have got to do something about childcare," Sen. Natalie Murdock said. "We shouldn't be in this position ... we have to have a sustainable model and program because it's about our children."
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