The Largest One-Day Work Stoppage In Child Care Organizing History: 1,395 Providers In 43 States and D.C. Closed Their Doors Yesterday For National Day Without Child Care
Thousands more parents, organizers, and allies participated in 100+ events across 27 states and Washington, D.C., demanding stronger protections and investments in child care and the care economy and pushing back against recent attacks on Head Start, Medicaid, and SNAP.
Nationwide – Yesterday, on May 12th, thousands of child care providers, parents, and allies showed up in solidarity as part of Community Change Action’s 4th Annual National Day Without Child Care. The demands were clear: stronger protections and investments in child care, and no cuts to basic needs programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Head Start that help millions of people make ends meet.
Care is at the core of making life and work possible for all of us–whether it’s child care and Head Start that allows parents to get to work, health care that keeps us healthy, home care that helps people to live with dignity, food supports, and more. For too long, Republicans have blocked critical investments in the care economy and are recklessly pushing for cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, as well as eliminating Head Start.
And, they’re raising prices on all of us to fund tax breaks for billionaires and ramp up their deportation machine.
Our demands put families first: thriving wages for providers, affordable care for families, a childcare system based on racial and gender equity, no cuts to Head Start, and no cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
At least 27 states across the country hosted actions for our National Day Without Child Care, including Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and more. Below are some snapshots of events.
Baton Rouge, LA–In a powerful and historic show of unity, over 800 early childhood educators, center owners, teachers, parents, business leaders, and community members rallied on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol for the National Day Without Childcare, hosted by For Providers, By Providers. More than 106 childcare centers closed their doors to join the demonstration, creating what one state senator called the largest crowd he had seen at the Capitol in 70 years. Advocates demanded bold action, including an $87 million increase to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), a $30 million investment in the state’s Early Care and Education Fund, and a commitment of $110 million annually over the next decade to build toward $1 billion in early childhood education. The day ended on a high note with the announcement that there would be no cuts to the CCAP budget.
Photo by Community Change Action
Columbus, OH–People rallied with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative at the statehouse to push legislators to pass policies that will sustain and support Ohio’s childcare system.
Photo by CEO project + OOC
Philadelphia, PA—Voice of ECE hosted early childhood educators, teachers, providers, families, and policymakers at City Hall to speak truth to the need for higher compensation for providers and lower costs for families.
Photo by Eleanor Levie
Raleigh, NC–With more than 104 centers closing their doors, providers and families participated in a Child Care Rally, shared their stories, danced, and made their demands heard. Families need greater investment in the child care system, including fair wages for workers, funding to cover the actual cost of care, and expanded access.
Screenshot from Krys-ECE Advocate
St. Louis, MO—WEPOWER launched the STL Child Care Voter Campaign as part of the national day of action. Centers across the city closed their doors, with some turning the day into a professional development opportunity for providers. Kiddos and providers dressed in superhero gear joined WEPOWER in a rally for stronger childcare investment.
Providers at Urban Sprouts in St. Louis dress up for the rally
Washington, D.C.—SPACEs in Action hosted a speak-out. They shared stories with providers and parents at Freedom Plaza and were joined by At-Large DC Councilmember Christina Henderson and Ward 4 DC Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. Children in attendance got their faces painted and enjoyed a bounce house. Providers visited City Council offices before and after the rally, accompanied by the kids they care for, to ask for continued support for childcare professionals in D.C.
Photos by Paul Morigi
NATIONAL VIRTUAL EVENT
Last night, more than 340 participants joined the virtual rally, sharing their personal stories and details of how they celebrated this year’s Day Without Child Care. The event was emceed by Fari with SPACEs in Action, Trina with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC), and Brigitte, a Community Change Childcare Changemaker. Community Change Co-President Lorella Praeli, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) joined the virtual rally, and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) shared a pre-recorded video in solidarity, encouraging providers and parents to keep up the fight for quality, affordable child care.
For more on the actions from May 12, 2025, check out our #DayWithoutChildCare hashtag on social media.
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