A new documentary titled Make a Circle is set to premiere this Saturday, offering a raw, emotional look at the daily challenges faced by childcare workers across the country. The film aims to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked sector and its crucial role in society.

A Glimpse Into the Childcare World

Filmmaker Jen Bradwell follows the lives of childcare workers, capturing their dedication, struggles, and the complex realities of early childhood education. The documentary highlights stories that resonate with the ongoing childcare issues in Fort Wayne, showcasing how local providers face similar hurdles as their counterparts nationwide.

Bradwell points out a harsh truth: despite the growing advocacy for early education, those advocating for change often struggle to have their voices heard. She explains, “There’s so much amazing advocacy around early education, but when those advocates go to meet with their policymakers, there’s a struggle to be taken seriously because of that ‘babysitter narrative’—because of how their work is viewed.”

It’s an issue that rings true locally. Despite being recognized as essential workers during the pandemic, childcare providers are now finding themselves in a precarious position, battling financial instability and a lack of support.

The Financial Strain on Local Providers

For local childcare centers like Westminster Preschools, the financial struggles are hard to ignore. Dani Svanter, the Executive Director at Westminster, shared how the emergency funding they received during the pandemic helped keep their doors open. These funds allowed many centers to raise wages and expand services temporarily. However, once that funding dried up after a year, the struggle to maintain operations grew.

“We feel like the forgotten part of the economy,” Svanter says. “We know through COVID funding and the research that was done how important early childhood programs are to our communities and economy.” Despite the clear evidence of the sector’s importance, childcare providers still find themselves fighting for support.

Svanter’s preschool is licensed to care for 100 children, but due to a severe shortage of staff, they can only enroll 50. This staffing shortage is just one symptom of a larger issue that many childcare centers across the region are facing.

The Pay Crisis

The pay scale for childcare workers in northeast Indiana is another major concern. Svanter explains that even teachers with degrees and years of experience are earning only $13 to $15 per hour. “That’s not sustainable,” she says, emphasizing how difficult it is to retain experienced staff when the compensation doesn’t match the demands of the job.

The financial instability, coupled with low wages, is leading to burnout among staff and higher turnover rates. This makes it even harder for centers to provide quality care for children and forces many providers to turn away families in need of childcare.

• The consequences are far-reaching:

  • Fewer children can be cared for due to staff shortages.

  • Families face long waiting lists and uncertainty about where to find care.

  • Local economies are impacted by the loss of affordable childcare options.

The Larger Picture

The issues raised in Make a Circle extend beyond Fort Wayne. Across the country, childcare workers are grappling with similar problems—low pay, understaffing, and a lack of recognition. The film hopes to spark a broader conversation about how early childhood education is valued and supported in society. It’s an important conversation that has, for too long, been overlooked.

With the premiere of Make a Circle, Bradwell hopes to give a voice to those who have long been undervalued in the childcare sector. The documentary is a reminder that, despite being deemed essential during the pandemic, childcare providers are still fighting for the recognition and resources they deserve.