Hundreds of day cares are closed today as educators go on strike. Here's why

• Nearly 400 child care and early learning providers across the U.S. have pledged to close their doors Monday to demand greater public investment in their services.
• Providers say the staffing crisis has hit a tipping point. Child care pays poverty-level wages.
• Parents also want more support and are helping to organize the demonstrations.

Hundreds of child care providers in 27 states and Washington, D.C., went on strike Monday to remind policymakers how essential they are, not only to families but to the nation’s economy. 

Early childhood professionals – and the parents they serve – said they’re fed up with the lack of progress on policy promises such as better wages and expanded subsidies. 

“I’ve never met a family who has said child care is affordable,” said Allyx Schiavone, a member of the Ideal Learning Roundtable, a national group of developmental early childhood education experts. Schiavone helped organize a Connecticut-specific day of activism this year. 

Few providers make much of a profit, and many are in the red: Teaching and caring for young children is as expensive as it is essential.