Park City Community Foundation joins rally for affordable childcare

Park City Library's daycare facility. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City Community Foundation is urging the community to attend a rally on May 13 to demand affordable childcare for Utah families. The event will run from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Park City Library park.

The rally, titled “Day Without Child Care,” is part of a national movement advocating for access to affordable, high-quality, licensed childcare for all families. The event will feature speakers from local and state governments, as well as early childhood educators and parents. Attendees will also have opportunities to dance, enjoy popsicles, color, and write letters to elected officials.

As of the night of May 12, 1,309 childcare providers and parents of young children plan to close their doors or call out of work. Of that number, 1,148 are childcare providers. A pledge in solidarity has been signed by 3,714 people, and 86 events will occur across 26 states and D.C.

According to an email from Samantha Hart, senior communications manager at Community Change, “This will be the largest National Day Without Child Care to date, and this increased participation shows that our crisis is escalating and providers and families are fed up. The childcare movement is here to stay – and it won’t stop until we secure a 21^st century childcare system that allows everyone to thrive.”

The rally’s demands include “access and equity to affordable, high-quality, licensed childcare for all families; thriving wages and benefits for childcare providers; and early care and learning valued as foundational infrastructure for Utah’s communities and economy.”

The event is hosted by Utah Cares for Kids.