Sen. Reed tours summer learning programs to promote affordable child care

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Sen. Jack Reed joined the United Way of Rhode Island’s Summer Learning Initiative in Woonsocket as well as Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Center to promote the importance of affordable, quality child care.

Reed started the day touring four classroom areas at the Woonsocket program to engage with students and their learning activities.

The toured classes are partnered with Roger Williams Park Zoo, Riverzedge Arts, and the Center for Dynamic Learning. The senator also took part in an outdoor “Rhythm Room” drumming performance.

Reed then joined the community at Beautiful Beginnings in Providence to promote the Child Care for Working Families Act he has introduced to Congress.

Reed said the bill would cap child care expenses at 7 percent of working families’ incomes as well as authorize federal grants for child care providers to boost wages and increase access to pre-kindergarten education while supporting full-day Head Start programs.

“Every family deserves top-notch child care they can afford and the federal government should provide a sustainable, reliable source of funding,” Reed said. “The research and evidence is clear: quality, affordable child care is a public good and an economic imperative that expands opportunity.”

Reed also boasted that he helped include $93 million for child care in Rhode Island as part of the American Rescue Plan. This money will stop being distributed to child care centers on Sept. 30.