黑料福利社

Childcare providers from around Central Washington rallied at Larson Park in Yakima to advocate for a universal childcare system.

Around 120 providers and supporters from Yakima County, the Tri-Cities area, Wenatchee and Moses Lake joined Monday's rally. Labor union SEIU 925, Children鈥檚 Campaign Fund and聽Proveedoras Unidas de Eastern Washington organized the event.

The rally was part of a larger annual called Day Without Child Care, meant to highlight the necessity of investment in early childhood education.

"We want childcare for all," said Shelby Silva, childcare provider and operations executive for Proveedoras Unidas. "We're childcare providers, parents (and) families getting together to let our senators know we're here to stay, and our jobs should be valued."

A from the First Five Years Fund found that Washington's聽Child Care and Development Block Grant saves low-income families聽$19,368 per year.

Attendees shouted "S铆 se puede," meaning "Yes we can" in Spanish, held signs and wore t-shirts advocating for universal childcare, fair wages and fewer cuts to the childcare system.聽

Childcare is hurting

Early childhood education and childcare have been in the news. Washington made changes to its programs during the 2026 legislative session.

While the state's Transition to Kindergarten program was reduced,聽the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program from ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's philanthropy group of $1.7 billion over a decade.

also made changes to the聽Working Connections Child Care program, which helps low-income families pay for childcare through subsidies. Legislators agreed to , according to the League of Education Voters.聽

"Every child should be able to have a reliable childcare provider," Silva said.

Silva runs a childcare center in Othello, serving eight children aged 0 to 13.聽 She says that many providers are hurting, like herself.聽

With rising costs, such as food, providers are struggling to cover expenses while earning an of $18 per hour, according to CareerBridge. What used to cost Silva $200 per week in food now costs $400-$500.聽

What keeps her in the field, despite the challenges, is her love of children. She's been working in the education field for more than a decade, and has been a childcare provider for three years.聽

"If more funding is cut, I'm (going to) have to let go of my assistant, and I might have to close my doors," she said.

Universal childcare, according to Community Change Action, would build sustainable infrastructure, help providers deliver quality care and guarantee safe and nurturing early care.

The policy would also make childcare more affordable for families who need it most but can't afford it. The nation's childcare crisis is costing $172 billion annually in lost earnings and productivity, according to a .