DCAEYC Joins Council Office Walkaround to Advocate for Early Childhood Education Funding

DCAEYC joined DC coalitions and partners including DC Action, Under 3 DC, DC Fiscal Policy Institute, and DC Fair Bidget Coalition, at the John A. Wilson Building for a Council office walkaround focused on protecting early learning investments in Washington, DC.

The visits took place ahead of the DC Council’s second budget vote, at a critical point for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund and the Child Care Subsidy Program. During the walkaround, advocates met with Council offices to thank members for reversing harmful cuts to the Pay Equity Fund and restoring important funding for early childhood education. At the same time, we continued pushing for the final dollars needed to prevent educators from facing another round of pay cuts.

A major focus of the visits was the remaining $2 million needed for the Pay Equity Fund. The material shared with Council offices explained that the $60 million added by the Council in the first budget vote maintains the current funding level for the program, but does not fully account for growth. As more educators participate and earn credentials, the cost of keeping salary scales stable also grows. Without the additional $2 million, early childhood educators may once again face pay cuts in FY 2027.

Advocates reminded Council offices that this has happened before. In previous budget cycles, when the Pay Equity Fund was funded below the level needed to maintain salary scales, some providers were able to raise private funds to fill the gap, but many others had no choice but to cut educator pay. The ask this time is focused and practical: add the final $2 million so educators can have at least one year where their salaries remain stable.

The conversations also emphasized that the Pay Equity Fund is not only about wages. It is about whether early learning programs can hire, retain, and support educators. When funding is unstable, programs feel it quickly. Classrooms are affected. Families are affected. The children who rely on consistent, high-quality early childhood education are affected too.

The one-pager shared during the visits also outlined the funding need for FY 2027. It identified $58 million for awards under the current formula, $2 million to account for projected growth in participating educators and credentials, and $2 million for OSSE administrative costs. Together, that brings the needed enhancement to $62 million. With the Mayor’s proposed $12 million for HC4CC, the total Pay Equity Fund funding need for FY 2027 comes to $74 million.

Advocates also raised concerns about the Child Care Subsidy Program. During office visits, DCAEYC and partners called for stronger transparency, clearer reporting, and better communication around funding levels, waitlists, reimbursement rates, and any future changes that could affect providers or families. These details matter because families and programs need time, clarity, and accountability when decisions are being made about access to care.

Coalition partners also discussed the need for broader revenue solutions to prevent the same budget fights from repeating year after year. That included continued calls for the Council to consider new revenue, including a 3% Wealth Proceeds Tax on those earning $500,000 or more annually, and to make profitable corporations currently avoiding District taxes pay their fair share. These revenue solutions would help protect early childhood education, educator pay, and other programs that support children and families across Washington, DC.

Throughout the walkaround, advocates brought policy recommendations, budget analysis, one-pagers, and direct experience into conversations with Council staff. The visits focused on what still needs to happen before the final vote: close the remaining $2 million gap for the Pay Equity Fund, protect educators from pay cuts, and strengthen protections for the Child Care Subsidy Program.

This advocacy built on months of organizing by early childhood educators, families, providers, DCAEYC members, and community partners. Thanks to families, educators, providers, and allies who spoke up, much of the funding for the Pay Equity Fund and Child Care Subsidy Program has been restored. But the work is not done yet.

There is still time to keep the pressure on. DCAEYC and partners encourage members, families, providers, educators, and allies to contact the DC Council and urge Councilmembers to finish the job for early childhood education by adding the final $2 million to the Pay Equity Fund. Click here to take action now!

DCAEYC was proud to stand alongside partners and advocates during this final stretch of the budget process. Early educators deserve stable and fair compensation. Families deserve access to affordable early childhood education. DC’s early learning system needs sustained investment, not another year of instability. We will continue supporting advocacy efforts that protect the Pay Equity Fund, strengthen the Child Care Subsidy Program, and keep early childhood education at the center of DC’s budget priorities.