School can and should take care of the childcare problem because it's one of the biggest expenses families face, and the solution is already sitting right in front of us. Parents are spending thousands of dollars a month on childcare—often more than rent or mortgages—just to be able to work. Single parents are crushed by it. Low-income families are forced into impossible choices. And yet we have buildings in every neighborhood, already paid for, already staffed, already filled with children, sitting empty for large chunks of the day and completely unused during summers and breaks. The infrastructure is there. We're just not using it.

Here's how simple it could be: parents drop their kids off at the school. That's the agreement. You're not signing them up for a curriculum. You're not committing to homework or testing or grades. You're just asking that your child be in a safe, supervised place while you work. The school says yes because that's what schools should do—serve the community. While they're there, kids have access to everything the school offers: the gym, the library, the art room, the playground, the computers, the outdoor space. None of it is required. None of it is graded. It's just a place to be, with things to do and people around.

And here's where it gets really powerful: older kids can volunteer to help. A high school student who loves working with children can spend time reading to the little ones. A teenager who's great at sports can organize games. A kid who's patient and kind can just be present, helping younger children feel safe and seen. This isn't forced labor. It's an opportunity. For the younger kids, it's connection and mentorship. For the older kids, it's responsibility, leadership, and the quiet confidence that comes from being needed. They're not waiting to be adults. They're practicing adulthood right now.

Think about what this does for families. No more scrambling to find affordable childcare. No more piecing together multiple arrangements that don't quite fit. No more spending half a paycheck just to be able to work. Instead, you know your kid has a safe, supervised place to be during the hours you need. That stability changes everything. It reduces stress, increases work opportunities, and gives parents breathing room they didn't have before.

Think about what this does for kids. More time in a place with mentors, peers, and opportunities. More exposure to things they might not get at home. More chances to explore interests, build relationships, and develop skills outside the rigid structure of the school day. Not forced learning. Just supported living. The younger ones get attention from older kids who remember what it was like to be small. The older ones get to feel useful and valued in a real way.

Think about what this does for the community. Suddenly the school isn't just a place for children. It's a hub where different generations mix. Where teenagers gain real responsibility. Where parents have one less thing to worry about. Where the cost of childcare stops being a barrier to work and becomes a natural part of how the community supports itself. The building becomes what it always should have been: a resource for everyone.

This isn't about turning teachers into babysitters. Teachers would continue doing what they're trained to do. Childcare can be staffed by aides, volunteers, older students, and community members under appropriate supervision. The building is big enough for all of it. The only thing missing is the willingness to see schools as more than just academic institutions.

The childcare problem is not separate from education. It's part of the same puzzle. Families need their kids to be safe and supported while they work. Kids need places where they can grow and thrive. Schools are already there, already funded, already trusted. The only missing piece is the willingness to say yes.

 

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