Slide 13 of 26

Worker-owned Childcare Cooperatives

Most everyone understands that affordable childcare is important to working parents, especially those transitioning from welfare to work. The childcare industry has traditionally paid low wages along with low benefits, making for high turnover rates in employees and ultimately a poorer quality of care. In addition, government sources show that only 22% of childcare companies provide employees with benefits. One solution to these problems is worker cooperatives that provide better care and involve parents in the operation of the childcare centers. Childspace is a great example of a recently organized worker cooperative in Philadelphia that provides their 35 members a living wage and benefits. Similar cooperatives have been organized in Denver and San Francisco. Funding for start up has been provided by a number of foundations and religious groups and long term financing is coming from the National Cooperative Bank.

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