What does Minnesota child care have riding on 2027? Before Election Day, MaK talks with Annell Velasco Nelson of Childcare for All MN about costs, access, and what to listen for from candidates. Awareness, not endorsements. Get involved: childcareforallmn.com Before You Vote: What Minnesota Child Care Has Riding on 2027 When MaK went back to work after eight weeks of leave, she couldn’t find a child care spot within their budget, and handing her baby to a stranger felt like too much. Her sister, who had just had her own third baby, stepped in instead. Twelve years later, many Minnesota families are still working through the same tangle of cost, availability, and trust. In this short pre-election mini episode, MaK talks with Annell Velasco Nelson, an attorney and lead parent organizer for the South Metro with Childcare for All MN. They cover why child care is an economic and workforce issue, why it takes a statewide solution, and what voters can listen for from candidates before Election Day on Nov 3. This episode is about awareness, not endorsements. Childcare for All MN is an advocacy campaign (an initiative of Faith in Minnesota), and we’re sharing their perspective to help you make an informed choice. In this episode 01:44 Welcome and what Childcare for All MN is02:55 Annell’s own child care story, from corporate centers to a six-week nanny04:20 Why “child care for all” doesn’t mean every child in care05:19 What families and providers are saying06:20 Costs, closures, and rural impact07:35 The 2023 investment and the gap families still fall through10:23 The grandparent squeeze11:16 Why the solution has to happen at the state level13:11 Why the 2027 budget makes this election matter14:09 Where there’s common ground across parties15:24 What to listen for when candidates talk about child care16:20 How to check your registration and vote early17:02 How parents, providers, and employers can get involved17:33 Annell’s one takeawayKey points: Center-based infant care averages about $22,500 a year, the third highest in the nation.More than one in four Minnesotans live in an area with limited or no child care access.Early educator turnover is estimated at about 30% a year.Many families earn too much for assistance but not enough to afford care.Voters should listen for specifics: lower out-of-pocket costs, more supply (especially in rural areas), better educator pay without higher tuition, and how it will be paid for.Resources: Childcare for All MN, to sign the petition, join your local team, and find events (in person and virtual): https://www.childcareforallmn.comMinnesota voter info, to check your registration, find early voting and polling locations, and see ID rules: https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov and https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/No Country for Mothers, a Moms First documentary: https://momsfirst.us/doc/AAUW, The Motherhood Penalty: https://www.aauw.org/issues/economic-security/motherhood/Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: UEBYCCFVDXURSJXR Keywords: childcare, Minnesota, affordable childcare, childcare assistance, early childhood education, childcare providers, 2027 legislature, working families, midterm election, Childcare for All MN
