As kids across San Diego head back to school, we’re reflecting on the critical work we’ve been supporting this summer with the Children First Collective, a community-led movement focused on child care access, equity and economic opportunity.
Child care isn’t just a personal issue – it’s a public one. It’s infrastructure, it’s economic development and it’s central to a thriving future. And thanks to the leadership of parents, providers and policy advocates across the region, momentum is building.
Here’s what we’ve been working on together:
This summer, we helped the Children First Collective document a roundtable discussion at the Dan McKinney YMCA with Congressman Scott Peters. The video captures an honest conversation between Peters, child care providers, and local parent Meg Hamilton, who shared how access to quality child care affects her family’s future. We filmed and produced the piece to help bring these on-the-ground stories to a broader audience – including decision-makers.
As part of our ongoing communications strategy, we’ve been working to keep child care in the headlines. Local journalists are increasingly recognizing child care as an economic issue that impacts the whole community:
ABC 10: San Diego families struggle as childcare & rent consume nearly half of household incomes
Fox 5: As inflation rises, parents can expect higher costs for child care this summer
This momentum reflects long-term storytelling – driven by care providers and parents – and consistent outreach that makes child care impossible to ignore.
Over on Instagram, our storyteller Megan has been leading the charge on a new video series called Stories of Care – short but powerful video quotes from parents and providers across the region. These reels bring heart, humor and honesty to the realities of care work.
“Parents can’t afford to pay. Providers can’t afford to stay. ”
Follow @childrenfirstsd on Instagram to see more, and sign up for the Children First Collective’s newsletter.
The challenges are real – but so is the power of community. We’re just getting started. Stay tuned.
