I was an early childhood teacher for 40-plus years. I taught teachers at UNE while serving as the director of the UNE children’s center. I founded Cocoons Day School in Kennebunk. I’m extraordinarily worried about the future of early childhood education in Maine.
The average child care teacher in Maine earns an hourly wage of only $15. The average McDonald’s line worker earns an hourly wage of $16. If Maine does not financially support Maine child care teachers, by maintaining grants allocated with the bill L.D. 210, teachers will hemorrhage from the profession. They cannot afford to take a cut in their salary.
