By Eboni Delaney, Assistant Director of Narrative and Movement Building
On May 31, 2023, Cheryl Morman, a family child care educator, advocate, and community leader from Virginia, stood before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and told a story that far too many educators know by heart.
It is the story of waking up before dawn to care for children whose parents are working multiple jobs. The story of being the teacher, the cook, the cleaner, and the nurturer, day after day. The story of providing safety, love, and learning even when resources are stretched and recognition is rare. It is the story of staying committed to families and communities when the system asks so much and gives so little in return.
Cheryl gave voice to thousands of family child care educators across the country who carry this story quietly, with strength and dignity. Her testimony reminded the nation that behind every thriving community is someone like her, showing up every day and holding it all together.
This is not just her story. It is our story. It is the story we all know by heart.
“It was about telling my story to anyone who would listen,” Cheryl shared afterward. “Unfortunately, my story was and continues to be the same story as many early childhood educators.”
Committee on Education, Labor, and Pensions Hearing – Solving the Crisis: Meeting the Needs of Working Families and Child Care Workers – May 31, 2023
Cheryl’s testimony was powerful because it spoke not just of her personal experience, but of a collective truth: early childhood education is essential, and those who provide it are the backbone of our communities and our economy. Yet they are continually asked to do more with less.
“Providing a quality learning experience to our youngest learners and partnering with parents to help them be successful and ready for school does not start in kindergarten,” she said. “It starts at birth.”
Cheryl has long believed in the importance of giving children the strongest start in life. She brings that belief into every space she’s in, including her classroom, her community, and now the halls of Congress. But she was also clear: passion isn’t enough when educators are being stretched thin.
“Every child deserves to have the best start in life,”she said. “And early childhood educators should be able to make a livable wage and have affordable healthcare while pouring into the future generation.”
Her words landed with a truth that’s hard to ignore; there is no economic growth without early childhood educators. Cheryl’s testimony also mirrors a key finding from NAFCC’s 2024–2025 Annual Survey: 73% of educators reported they cannot afford retirement or health insurance with their current income—even while the majority have been in early childhood education for over 10 years. The personal sacrifices educators make to sustain their programs are not sustainable without real policy change.
At NAFCC, we believe in the power of educators like Cheryl who not only show up every day but also speak the truth about what this work really takes. Her voice at the Senate HELP Committee wasn’t just testimony. It was a call for all of us to listen, to advocate, and to help build a future where early childhood educators are respected, supported, and paid what they truly deserve.
Because Cheryl reminded the room that day: “the future doesn’t begin in kindergarten. It begins with us.”
Watch the recording of Cheryl’s testimony here.
Read Cheryl’s statement here.
Let Cheryl’s testimony move you to act.
Share her story. Speak to your legislators. Stand beside the early childhood educators in your community.
When we support educators, we’re not just making a statement. We’re investing in children, families, and in a future where care and education are valued.
The moment is here.
