BrightPath Early Learning Team Joins National Childcare Advocacy Effort in Washington, D.C.

As part of the Early Care and Education Consortium's Hill Day, education leaders met with elected officials to discuss solutions that strengthen child care access and support working families.

Washington, D.C. – Last week, members of the BrightPath Early Learning and Child Care team joined early childhood educators, center directors, and industry leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., for the Early Care and Education Consortium's (ECEC) annual Capitol Hill Fly-In, advocating for policies that support children, families, and the early education workforce.

The two-day event brought together educators and child care leaders to share firsthand experiences with members of Congress and their staff, highlighting the essential role that high-quality early childhood education plays in helping children learn, grow, and thrive while enabling parents to participate in the workforce.

Participants attended advocacy sessions, a Capitol Hill reception, and a full day of meetings with federal lawmakers. Throughout these discussions, educators emphasized the need for policies that improve access to affordable, high-quality child care and strengthen support for the early education workforce.

Left to Right: Jamie Rice, Center Director at BrightPath South Elgin, IL; Hannah Miller, Center Director, BrightPath LeRoy, NY; Jessica Zaragoza, Associate Center Director, BrightPath West Loop, IL

The fly-in was coordinated by the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC), a nonprofit alliance of the nation's leading childcare providers, educational service providers, and state childcare associations. Nationwide, ECEC member companies operate more than 7,500 centers across 47 states and Washington, D.C., with the capacity to serve more than 1 million children each day.

ECEC envisions a country where every family has access to quality childcare and early learning opportunities that meet their unique needs, recognizing that access to childcare is essential to sustaining and growing a thriving economy. The organization's mission is to champion high-quality early care and education for all children by advocating for strong federal and state policies that promote access, affordability, safety, and a sustainable, equitable child care system.

"Our educators and center leaders bring invaluable perspectives from the classrooms and communities they serve every day," said Nancy Walsh, Government Relations Liaison for BrightPath. "By sharing their experiences on Capitol Hill, they helped policymakers better understand the importance of investing in high-quality child care and the professionals who make it possible."

A a part of Busy Bees North America, one of the leading early years education providers on the continent, BrightPath Early Learning is grateful to the teachers, center directors, and advocacy leaders who participated in this important event and helped amplify the voices of families and educators nationwide. The unwavering commitment to advancing early childhood education extends beyond their centers and into the policy conversations that shape the future of the industry.