In this fact sheet, we share findings from virtual focus groups held in fall 2022 with 39 parents living in the District of Columbia who had enrolled a child in a licensed DC child care program in the past year. During these focus groups, we asked parents about their recent experiences and challenges finding child care, their current experiences with their child care program, and their thoughts on DC’s newly implemented Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. This fact sheet shares some of parents’ reflections on the Pay Equity Fund. Other study publications present findings related to parents’ experiences searching for and using child care in the wake of the pandemic.

Parents shared generally positive reactions to the news of the Pay Equity Fund wage supplements, expressing their appreciation for the work that early educators do and how the wage supplements could help offset challenges such as low pay and high cost of living. Parents also suggested additional strategies to help retain early educators.