We Are Here
for Each Other

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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

Johanna Puno-Hester
Vice-Chair CCPU

Riko Mendez
CCPU Secretary-Treasurer

Max Arias
CCPU Chairperson and Chief Negotiator

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.

Miren Algorri

Maria Ivonne Bejar

Leidy Maribel Milla Bernasconi

Shaunte Brown

Isabel Cardenas

Maria Cisneros

Deborah Corley

Rosemary Garcia Garay

Guillermina Garduno

Marcella Graves

Gabriela Guerrero

Regina Hamilton

Nancy Harvey

Sylvya Hernandez de Lopez

Saul Hurtado

Tamara Kennick

Iris Magana

Yessika Magdaleno

Maria Elena Millings

Patricia Moran

Charlotte Neal

Naomy Nevarez

Pamela Rocha

Blanca Sanchez

Zonnia Sanchez

Yolanda Thomas

Horace Turner

Ana Valentino

Anita Vicini

We Need your voice

California Child Care Providers Unite

From rallies in the streets of the capitol to hosting local representatives, we’re looking for ways that enable everyone to participate — because that’s the only way change happens.

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WHAT – What benefits does the Retirement Fund expect to offer providers?

Expand the Retirement Fund Benefits Table to see benefits.

 

 Plan Rules
Eligible participants*

You are eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan for a 2024 contribution if you are:

  • A licensed child care provider
  • Who has been paid 6 or more months of child subsidy in the 2023 calendar year (can be non-consecutive months).
Eligibility for benefit credit for contributions in 2024*

You will earn your full service credits for 2023 if you were paid for ten or more months of child subsidy in 2023.

If you were paid for 6 or more months of child subsidy, you will receive 60% of your service credits, 70% for 7 months, 80% for 8 months and 90% for 9 months. You will not earn any service credit if you were paid for less than 6 months.

ContributionsThe only contributions to the Retirement Plan will be paid by the State. The Plan does not accept contributions from you.
Amount of annual employer contributions for 2023 service allocable to participants in 2024*

The amount of the State contribution on your behalf in 2024 will be based on two factors:

(1)  the number of years and months that you held a license as of 12/31/23; AND

(2)  the number of months that you were paid for a subsidized child in 2023.

  • If you were paid for ten or more months, you will receive your full contribution.
  • If you were paid for 6 to 9 months, you will receive a pro-rated contribution.
  • If you were paid for less than 6 months, you will not receive a contribution in 2024.
Amount of annual employer contributions for 2024 service allocable to participants in 2025*You will earn one full service credit for the State contribution on your behalf in 2025 if you were paid for ten or more months of child subsidy in 2024. If you were paid for 6 to 9 months in 2024, you will receive a pro-rated service credit. You will not earn any service credit if you were paid for less than 6 months in 2024.
VestingYou are “vested” in any contribution correctly made to your account. You do not need to work a minimum number of years before 2024 to be entitled to a benefit.
Distribution events

You can elect to receive your account when:

  • You stop all work as a licensed provider for 9 consecutive months at any age (“terminate from service”);
  • You stop all work as a licensed provider for 3 consecutive months at age 60 or older (“retirement”); or
  • You attain age 73, which is the age you are required to start receiving payments, unless you are still working.
Forms of distributions

If you are age 60 or older and stop all work as a licensed provider for 3 consecutive months and elect to retire, you can choose to receive your account balance as:

  • One lump-sum payment
  • Approximately equal monthly payments for 5 years
  • Approximately equal monthly payments for 10 years

If you are younger than age 60 and stop all work as a licensed provider for 9 consecutive months, you can only elect to receive your account as one lump-sum payment.

Death benefitsSince your account is 100% vested, you can designate a beneficiary (or multiple beneficiaries) to receive your account balance if you die before you receive it.
InvestmentsThe Board of Trustees will manage how the Retirement Plan is invested on your behalf, with the assistance of investment professionals.

*Special rules apply to providers where more than one provider is on the payment record.

who

Who is eligible for the Retirement Fund benefits?

State contributions to the Retirement Plan are tied to the child care subsidy program. To be eligible for retirement benefits in 2024, you must be a licensed provider who has have been paid for work with a subsidized child in at least 6 months in 2023-these months do not need to be consecutive. License exempt providers are not eligible; however, if you become licensed in a year, your work in that year may count for eligibility.

when

When will the benefits be available?

State contributions to the Retirement Plan are tied to the child care subsidy program. To be eligible for retirement benefits in 2024, you must be a licensed provider who has have been paid for work with a subsidized child in at least 6 months in 2023-these months do not need to be consecutive. License exempt providers are not eligible; however, if you become licensed in a year, your work in that year may count for eligibility.

how

How can I get help enrolling?

The Plan will automatically enroll you based on the information it has but you should immediately complete the form that the Plan will send you to be sure that the Plan has all of your current information and that you receive credit for your years of licensed work.