Advocates, educators voice support for early childhood education funding, policies

Sam Snideman, vice president of government relations for United Way of Central Indiana, speaks Feb. 11, 2025, at the Statehouse during Indiana Early Childhood Education Day. More than 150 educators, parents, community leaders and policymakers from across the state gathered for the event, which was organized by the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children and the Early Education Works Coalition, in partnership with United Way of Central Indiana. 

Sam Snideman, vice president of government relations for United Way of Central Indiana, speaks Feb. 11, 2025, at the Statehouse during Indiana Early Childhood Education Day.

Diane Wu, a member of United Way’s Parent Advisory Council, poses for a photo on stage Feb. 11, 2025, at the Statehouse during Indiana Early Childhood Education Day. At the event, Wu spoke about her experiences with her son’s care, stressing that early care is just as important for parents of children with special needs.

Maureen Weber, president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana, speaks Feb. 11, 2025, at the Statehouse during Indiana Early Childhood Education Day.

Taking advantage of the earliest years of brain development is one of the best ways to help children thrive, families prosper and communities flourish.  

The recipe is straightforward, said Maureen Weber, president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana. You need available seats, effective teachers – and families need to be able to pay. 

But in Indiana, more than two-thirds of the state’s counties have less than half the capacity they need to provide care, Weber said Tuesday, speaking to a crowd gathered at the Statehouse for Indiana Early Childhood Education Day.  

There is a shortfall of educators in the state, leaving classrooms empty or half-filled, she said. And Hoosier families with young children spend more than 10 cents of every dollar on child care – for one child. 

“The recipe is straightforward, but we are missing far too many ingredients,” Weber said.  

The impact is felt by families, employers and communities across the state. Child care issues result in an estimated $4.22 billion annual loss for Indiana’s economy, she said, citing a 2024 report published by the U.S. Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Indiana Chamber and Early Learning Indiana. 

“Indiana is ready to meet the moment with pragmatic, effective strategies,” Weber said.  

More than 150 educators, parents, community leaders and policymakers from across the state gathered Tuesday at the Statehouse to advocate for the importance of early childhood education and policies that support the state’s youngest learners and their families.  

More than a dozen people – including child care providers, parents and advocates – spoke during the event, which was organized by the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children and the Early Education Works Coalition, in partnership with United Way of Central Indiana. Early childhood education has long been a focus of United Way’s public policy efforts. 

Sam Snideman, vice president of government relations for United Way of Central Indiana, told the group that child care is essential infrastructure – the backbone – of a modern economy.  

Snideman said the state has made progress in recent years, including the growth of the Child Care Development Fund and On My Way Pre-K programs.   

“But we also know we have a long way to go to making sure that every single Hoosier, every single child in Indiana has access to the care and support that they need not just for survival but to enable them to thrive and grow and become the very best version of themselves,” he said.  

Gov. Mike Braun’s budget proposal includes $362 million for the Child Care Development Fund that would eliminate waitlists for child care vouchers; over $50 million per year for On My Way Pre-K, which would end that waitlist and add new families; and $4 million that would enable communities to expand local child care capacity.  

Snideman encouraged those gathered Tuesday to contact their legislators to tell them how important it is to fund child care in the budget.  

Diane Wu, a member of United Way’s Parent Advisory Council, said child care is not just a convenience but a necessity. It provides a safe, nurturing environment while giving parents peace of mind and the ability to focus on their careers without constant worry.  

Drawing on her experiences with her son’s care, she stressed that early care is just as important for parents of children with special needs.  

“It is not just child care, it is a support system,” Wu said.  

When we invest in these programs, “We are not just helping families survive, we are helping them thrive. And when we support working parents, we strengthen the foundation of our society.” 

Dr. Hanan Osman, executive director of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, said there is a need for better professional development, training, support and pay for early childhood educators: “The workforce is the key component of early childhood programs’ quality – we cannot ignore that.” 

United Way is encouraging advocates to contact their legislators to tell them about the importance of funding child care in the budget. 

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