Rallies Wednesday will be held across the state to protest Connecticut's child care crisis.

There will be a rally outside the Government Center in Stamford.

Rallies Wednesday are being held across the state to protest Connecticut's child care crisis.

Child care centers across the state are closed Wednesday to rally for "The Morning Without Child care."

Parents, providers and teachers rallied outside Stamford's Government Center Wednesday.

Fighting for education and more affordable daycare. "Without child care how will our children learn," said Stamford preschool teacher Akiem Ruffin. "Due to COVID about four or five years ago a lot of people lost their jobs so you know trying to help them out to get back into you know with the day cares," said Stamford teacher's aide Takara Whitley. These people say Connecticut would grind to a halt without child care.

Parents and providers are calling on state leaders to invest in affordable child care for working families and living wages for educators.

Connecticut parents are spending a whopping 27% of their household income on childcare.

That's the highest in the country. "Between the ranges of 500 to about $600 a week," said Stamford day care owner Francheska Velazquez. Parents say they want government support.

Day cares say they have been short-staffed, with kids on waiting lists who may never get the care they need.

They have been asking Gov. Ned Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly to invest in long-term solutions. "Some of the families now are opting to stay home so some of the centers are closing down. Some centers do have vacant rooms that they haven't opened because of that," said Velazquez.

People feel they are being heard.

They say they are happy with the progress that is being made in the state legislature.

The state may be allocating $3 million to help with costs.