Washington, D.C. (Tuesday 18, 2020) – It’s budget season and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will be crisscrossing the city to hear from residents about what should be the District’s money priorities for Fiscal Year 2021.

Tonight, parents, children, child care educators, and community leaders will join forces to participate in the DC budget engagement forum.  “Under 3 DC” is a coalition hoping to create what it calls a forward reaching early childhood campaign to urge Bowser to invest $4.5 million into making high-quality child care affordable for District families.

“Our babies and toddlers begin learning the moment they are born.  These are some of the most formative years of their lives and access to early care and learning provided by skilled professionals is critical,” said  Kimberly Perry, Executive Director of DC Action for Children and Co-Chair of Under 3 DC.

Recent studies show that quality early childhood education in DC is expensive and scare.  The average cost of childcare in DC is $2,020 per month.  That’s over $24,000 a year.  Tonight’s budget forum begins at 6:30 at the Edgewood Recreation Center at 301 Franklin Street, NE.