Beth Bye reveals how a conversation with fellow Salzburg Global Fellow Monika Lutke-Entrup led to a shift in perspective
The ultimate goal of the Education Policymakers Network is to connect policymakers across the globe to work, plan and learn from each other. One of these policymakers is Beth Bye, who has worked in early childhood care and education for three decades. She has served in Connecticut’s House of Representatives and helped create the state’s Office of Early Childhood, which she now leads.
The House just passed legislation that will expand funding for infant and toddler care. The funding agreement would invest $25 million in early years development, making childcare for infants and toddlers more accessible for families and increasing the rates for child caregivers. It’s a vital boost for a sector that was hit hard by COVID-19. A workforce deficit has been exacerbated by a lack of childcare support.
To make matters worse, the deficit in infant and toddler providers in Connecticut has increased since the beginning of the pandemic. With one in four of the state’s working households having children under the age of 6, there was an urgent need to address the lack of support for childcare.
The legislation will be Connecticut’s most significant investment in infant and toddler care in 25 years. For Bye, the effects of this funding program will go beyond the children.
“In terms of equity, some families do shift work and childcare can help with that. If you can’t access infant and toddler care, then children get inconsistent care and parents won’t get the help and support they need,” says Bye.
Although Bye had long been involved in education advocacy and policy, she credits an interaction with a fellow Education Policymakers Network member during a breakout room session for a shift in perspective – a shift that influenced her role in working on getting the new legislation passed.
As she explains: “It was at one of the Salzburg Global Seminar meetings. Monika (Lutke-Entrup) was in one of those breakout rooms, and she mentioned how accessible early childhood care is in Germany. It (Bye’s advocacy for the funding) would not have happened at all this way without that learning circle and the comments from Monika.”
The legislation is a big victory for early childhood advocates and policymakers. Not only does it speak to the collective effort of administrators, legislators and advocates in Connecticut, but it is also a testament to the power of harnessing the EPN’s network and resources. As the in-person program comes to an end, the networks and connections established through the program will continue to expand and translate into transformative education policies.
