缅因州早期儿童计划面临资金危机, Maine’s early childhood programs face funding crises threatening access, quality, and educator retention.

缅因州幼儿教育计划面临严重的资金短缺问题, Maine’s early childhood education programs face critical funding shortfalls, threatening access and quality. Catherine Morrill日托儿所等中心因费用上涨、国家偿还低廉和工作人员短缺而挣扎,因为教育者年平均收入为34 150美元,远远低于生活工资。 Centers like Catherine Morrill Day Nursery struggle with rising costs, low state reimbursements, and staff shortages, as educators earn an average of $34,150 annually—far below living wages. 在坎伯兰州,婴儿护理费用几乎占家庭收入中位数的12%,73%的方案将人员配备问题列为入学的障碍。 Infant care costs nearly 12% of median family income in Cumberland County, and 73% of programs cite staffing issues as a barrier to enrollment. 延迟支付国家款项和立法停滞加深了财政缺口,有可能造成长期经济损失。 Delayed state payments and stalled legislation deepen financial gaps, risking long-term economic losses. 有三分之二以上的幼儿有双亲在劳动大军中工作,因此,倡导者敦促公众在假期期间向非营利中心捐款,以确保公平获得机会和支持教育者,他们对儿童发展和缅因州经济未来至关重要。 With over two-thirds of young children having both parents in the workforce, advocates urge public donations to nonprofit centers during the holidays to ensure equitable access and support educators, who are essential to children’s development and Maine’s economic future.