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CHIPS and Child Care
March 24, 2023
People can only come back to work if they have a way to take care of their children.
-Brad Smith, President of Microsoft
-Brad Smith, President of Microsoft
The $280 billion dollar “Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors” or CHIPS bill “was signed into law last year as a way to bolster the domestic production of semiconductors — a vital component for almost every electronic device we use today — and to help prevent future supply chain crises,” according to news site Axios. Why does this matter to early childhood practitioners?
Apart from the intended boost to the economy, “Chip makers who want access to billions of dollars in new federal funding will first have to figure out how workers will access affordable child care, per a new requirement from the Commerce Department.” Highlighting the shortage of child care options and the high cost of care for people who might want to take these chip-related jobs, Axios notes, “The agency is agnostic on how companies get this done. They could build company-run onsite facilities, or outsource to a vendor. Companies could sponsor care directly or provide vouchers, discounts or cash.”
Now is the time to weigh in on these options as chip companies begin to implement child care programs to access these funds. What care options would you vouch for?
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Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsEugene, OR, United States
Francis, this is exactly what Carol Murray did informally at her university when she learned the groundskeepers and office staff were earning more than her team of caregivers. She went to the board and pointed this out, and the board raised their pay.
Melanie, yes, especially with the hiring challenges so many are facing now, we need to find a way to hire and train at the same time.
Monica, thanks for your input. I wonder if there's a way to ensure cash would go to care and/or to level the playing field when access to care goes beyond tuition to also include transportation and other challenges. Thoughts?
Skagit Valley College
Anacortes,, Wa, United States
Great piece of history Francis! I agree, and also that the early learning and care education and training needed to provide ethically and developmentally appropriate care be required and provided for the personnel.
Early Childhood Christian Network
McKinney, TX, United States
I would love to see companies provide vouchers or cash to employees so that employees have a choice in what childcare option fits best with their family structure, values, and priorities.
University of Phoenix/ Red Rocks Community College
Denver, Colorado, 80222, Colorado, United States
I recommend that programs be required to follow the example of the Kaiser Shipyard (part of the Lanham Act of WWII) and pay childcare teachers and workers on the same salary scale, and with the same benefits, as the semiconductor makers in the factory.
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