About – Child Care Providers United CCPU

Our Ideology

Small steps add up to big changes in the field of child care.

We Work Together

CCPU exists to unite child care providers like us, amplifying our ideas, desires, and needs. Every day, we wake up determined to improve our lives and our work in every way possible!

We lift each other up.

Our union’s strength comes from all of us! We work side by side, helping each other navigate the child care system, sharing resources, and being a shoulder to lean on when it’s needed most— because we’ve all had those days.

We Believe in You

It takes an amazing person to juggle all the responsibilities of early childhood care and development. We’re inspired by people like you, who are building a better future for all of us through your daily work.

“Being part of the union means to me so much because I feel like I have more of a backbone and support in the things that have been a struggle as a provider.”

—Lori Christie, Imperial Beach

Our Mission

Caring for California Kids, Raising Up Our Profession

Child Care Providers United brings together thousands of family child care providers throughout California to improve our profession and ensure every child has access to quality early learning and care. As union members, child care providers have a powerful voice to improve our livelihoods and the services we provide, for working families whether white, Black, Asian, or brown. We are working for child care for all and unions for all.

Together, we’ve already been able to win rate increases, improved state funding for early care and education, more secured training for providers, healthcare and retirement funds, and additional child care slots for families.

We’re stronger when we’re united.

At CCPU, we advocate for

Fair pay for quality care

Our work is impacting the future of our country, and it should be valued appropriately.

Access to advanced training

We must stay informed about advances and discoveries in child care and education.

A voice in state-level policy

We are many, and we deserve a voice in how our state’s child care system is shaped.

The respect our work deserves

The work of child care and the expertise it requires should be made visible to all.

Improved state funding for early care and education

Increased funding means child care access for more families and a stronger economy.

Healthcare funds

We proudly offer our members funds toward healthcare, but we can still push for more.

Retirement funds

In 2024 our negotiation team achieved a first-of-its-kind retirement fund for caregivers.

Training funds

Educating ourselves is a career-long process, so funds that cover training are a necessity.

Our Team

Meet our CCPU Leaders

Leadership Team

Max Arias
CCPU Chairperson and Chief Negotiator

Johanna Puno-Hester
Vice-Chair CCPU

Riko Mendez
CCPU Secretary-Treasurer

Alexa Frankenberg
CCPU Executive Director

Our 2024/25 Bargaining Team

Our bargaining team, a state-wide group elected by CCPU members to represent all of us, make all our work possible. Their work raises our collective voices and makes our victories possible. Click here to see your local union office information.