SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1996-8699

By Senators Kohl, Rasmussen, Goings, Thibaudeau, Fairley, Sheldon, McAuliffe and Quigley

     WHEREAS, Children are our most precious resource and represent the hope of our nation's future; and

     WHEREAS, Our state has thousands of dedicated workers who provide quality care in homes, centers, and schools; and

     WHEREAS, Child care workers typically earn low wages and have limited access to and financial support for training; and

     WHEREAS, Parent fees are insufficient to fully cover the cost of high quality child care; and

     WHEREAS, Many early childhood programs cannot afford to pay staff living wages and benefits; and

     WHEREAS, Nationally, centers are experiencing a forty percent turnover in staff each year; and

     WHEREAS, Participating in programs with high staff turnover causes children's language skills and development to suffer.  Both are critical areas for emotional adjustment and school success; and

     WHEREAS, Teachers in centers generally earn one-half the salary of public school teachers with similar levels of preparation and job responsibility; and

     WHEREAS, Adequate staff compensation attracts and maintains high quality staff; and

     WHEREAS, A good learning environment for children is a good working environment for adults; and

     WHEREAS, Early childhood caregivers, both in centers and family child care homes, have subsidized the provision of services by accepting wages far below the value and importance of their work;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the State of Washington, That the Senate recognize May 1, 1996, as worthy wage day in the state of Washington, and urges all citizens to recognize the valuable contribution of the thousands of professional child care providers across the state who are the foundation of our state's child care system.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1996-8699,

adopted by the Senate March 4, 1996.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate