Business, Politics, and Social Responsibility in Child Care
05/03/24
In a time of heightened social consciousness, businesses both big and small are increasingly being called upon to take a stand on political and social issues. This begs the question: should small businesses, particularly those in child care and education, step into the political arena?
The Power of Small Businesses
Small businesses are the essence of the communities they serve and are embedded in the fabric of local economies. Child care businesses occupy a unique position in the community, as they are nurturing future generations and play a crucial role in shaping young minds. As such vital parts of the community, having a voice in the policies that affect children and families is both appropriate and critical. Stay up to date on child care policies by signing up for Action for Children’s newsletter!
Bipartisan Engagement
Child care businesses cater to families from diverse backgrounds and ideologies, so maintaining a bipartisan approach to political engagement is often necessary to ensure inclusivity and avoid alienating any of your client base. By focusing on issues that directly impact the wellbeing of children and families, such as access to affordable child care, early childhood educations, and parental leave policies, child care businesses can foster support from their families and advance solutions that benefit all. Child care businesses could also consider partnering with local organizations to provide free or subsidized child care to low-income families or workers of other local businesses, advocating for early childhood education programs, and supporting policies like publicly funded child care and others that support working or single parent families in place of taking a strong stand on political issues. In these cases, like many others, actions speak louder than words. Empowering Advocacy: Reflections on the 36th Annual Child Care and Early Learning Advocates Meeting
Social Responsibility
Child care businesses play a vital duty in prioritizing the welfare of the children under their care. This extends beyond providing a safe and caring classroom environment and includes advocating for policies and initiatives that support children’s holistic development. By engaging in discussions around funding, nutrition programs, and child welfare policies, child care businesses can demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and contribute to the collective wellbeing of their communities. Explore Action for Children’s Advocacy Priorities
Navigating Controversy
Engaging in policy issues inevitably involves navigating controversy and potential backlash. Child care businesses must tread carefully to avoid polarizing their clientele while still advocating for policies aligned with their values and mission. By framing their involvement in political discourse as a commitment to the wellbeing of children and families rather than partisan activism, child care businesses can maintain trust with their customer base. How To Be an Advocate: A Road Map by Action for Children
The question of whether businesses should engage in political issues has always been nuanced, and is particularly difficult in the child care industry. Getting involved requires a careful approach and consideration of an educator’s role in society and their responsibility to their clientele. Ultimately, it’s about finding common ground and working together to create a brighter future for all children.
Author: Madeleine Bray, The BOSS at Action for Children HR & Compliance Coach
The BOSS services are provided by Action for Children and funded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and Action for Children’s generous donors. Explore The BOSS services.
Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio, and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Our services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth; care givers, educators, parents, and guardians. Learn More.