Almost every parent has a story about trying to find childcare or the mad dash to pick your child up on time.  But this one really takes the cake:

Sgt. Kimberly D. Munley, mother of two, and a first responder at the scene of the shooting at Fort Hood last week, was shot three times while trying to stop the carnage. She later reported in an interview on the "Today Show" that her first thought as she was lying on the ground was to reach for her cell phone to find someone to pick up her daughter from childcare.

Fortunately, for most of us, our childcare worries are not this dramatic, but we all know that finding quality, affordable, safe childcare is a struggle more and more families are facing. Thankfully right now, our U.S. Senate is considering the Early Learning Challenge Fund which would invest $1 billion a year for 10 years in early care and education.

Tell the Senate to step up to the challenge and pass the Early Learning Challenge Fund today:
http://action.momsrising.org/cms/letter/action_926/

High-quality early learning programs for children under age 5 matter in today's economy more than ever.  As the Wall Street Journal reported last week, more and more women are returning to work to support their families and consequently, across the country, child care centers are seeing their enrollment rise.

The Early Learning Challenge Fund would invest $1 billion a year -- in the form of competitive grants to states -- to build comprehensive, high-quality early learning systems for children from birth to age 5.

Savings from streamlining the federal student loan program would fund these grants, which would be used to help programs improve quality and hold them accountable for meeting high standards. It would also provide more training for teachers and better screening systems for children with disabilities and health needs.

This is a unique opportunity to invest in our country's youngest learners and make sure that all children start kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed. Decades of research by economists and scientists has proven that investing in early education programs pays off for all of us because it produces better education, health, and social outcomes and more capable and productive citizens.

The Early Learning Challenge Fund already passed the U.S. House and its fate is now up to our Senators. We need every Senator's vote in support of the Challenge Fund. Because it is included in legislation about reforming lending practices for student loans, Senators are hearing opposition from big banks that have profited from the old, inefficient system. Remind them that you're watching to make sure they choose children over corporate lobbyists.

http://action.momsrising.org/cms/letter/action_926/

Spread the word! The more people that speak out, the better. Together we can make sure parents have one less thing to worry about and every child gets the high-quality care they deserve.