San Diego, CA – September 21, 2023 – MAAC, one of San Diego’s largest and long-serving nonprofit organizations, to increase Early Childhood Program pay rates for teachers and key support staff by an average of 24%, a move that will impact 224 positions.
The need for more childcare in San Diego is at an all-time high. In our region alone, more than 90% of families with infants and toddlers cannot access childcare because of cost and lack of availability. For the past three years, staff recruitment and retention has been a significant and persistent problem for the early education sector – in San Diego County and across the country. “As a society, we need to place a higher value on the work that early childhood educators do. They are highly educated and dedicated individuals who care for and teach our children during the most pivotal years,” said Arnulfo Manriquez, President & Chief Executive Officer of MAAC San Diego.
MAAC estimates the total number of children served through their programs will be 35% higher than last year. Salary increases are expected to help fill 42 current teacher vacancies, which will result in 21 additional classrooms opening. “Today’s action directly reflects MAAC’s commitment to its staff and the communities we serve,” said Mr. Manriquez. “This ensures that we can continue to provide the high-quality care and education that families have come to expect from MAAC for generations.”
To address the pressing needs of families for full-time childcare services in our communities – many of whom work full-time and require reliable care options – MAAC worked internally and with the Office of Head Start (OHS), one of MAAC’s primary funders, for nearly a year to plan for and provide these salary increases and transition part-day care slots to full-day care for MAAC’s Head Start programs.
MAAC is proud to be part of the solutions recently outlined in the San Diego County Child Care Blueprint and hopes this is the first step of many to create “an equitable system that simplifies the child care equation for working families and makes it possible for child care providers, a vital component of our economy, to earn a competitive wage.” This historic investment emphasizes MAAC’s overall commitment to economic development, improving the health and well-being of the community and furthering education within the San Diego region.
MAAC Head Start, Early Head Start and State Preschool programs deliver national school readiness programs at no cost to eligible families, which is determined based on family size and income. The programs serve 1,355 children (0-5) and their families in San Diego County in the communities of Carlsbad, Escondido, Fallbrook, Oceanside, San Marcos, Valley Center, Vista, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development. Additionally, children that attend Head Start are more likely to graduate high school, attend college and earn a degree, certificate, or license.
About MAAC San Diego
MAAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting self-sufficiency and improving the well-being of individuals and families in underserved communities. Through a range of educational, employment, and health programs, MAAC empowers individuals to reach their full potential and contribute positively to society. Learn more at www.maacproject.org
