Locals Participate in Minnesota Day Without Child Care

At around 1:40 p.m., attendees stood on the corner of Central Entrance and Mesaba Avenue, one of the most trafficked streets in Duluth. Photo by Madi Richgels

Outside of First United Methodist Church, Duluth locals – including mothers and educators – waved signs to protest for more child care funding Monday afternoon as cars drove by on Central Entrance.

“I am rallying for the day without child care, because we deserve more funding,” said Megan Schmitz, Duluth teacher and mother. “We’ve had all sorts of different community members come and support us.”

The group met at 9 a.m. and began protesting at 1 p.m. They were some of many who participated in Minnesota Day Without Child Care, an event organized by Kids Count On Us. Child care centers throughout the state close down Monday in protest for more public funding.

“When the child care shuts down, everything else shuts down. Teachers don’t have child care for their kids, even fast food workers don’t have care for their kids,” said Sofia Shorter, a mother and preschool teacher. “It’s really, really important to come together for something like this to really show the impact.”

Shorter returned to preschool teaching because she couldn’t afford child care. Duluth has been in a child care shortage for the last several years. Since 2023, eight child care centers have closed, or are on the verge of it.

The City of Duluth uses the American Rescue Plan Act to partially fund child care. ARPA is a federal grant program for COVID-19 relief. However, the grant expires at the end of December 2026.

Shorter (right) protesting with a sign that says “Big Hearts Shape Little Minds.” Photo by Madi Richgels