As a teacher at YWCA Richmond’s Sprout School at Second Presbyterian Church (2P), I care deeply about my students. My coworkers and I have worked hard to create classrooms where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn. But dedication cannot replace adequate staffing.

Teachers are often left without consistent classroom support. When we call for backup during difficult moments,  and even true emergencies, help is not reliably available. We have experienced staffing below licensing ratios, and when a teacher is absent, classrooms sometimes close because there is no one available to cover. Children, families, and staff all bear the consequences.

We asked leadership for a practical, temporary measure: pause new enrollment in classrooms without a dedicated, full-time assistant until that support is in place. Current students would remain in their classrooms.

Leadership agreed to staff up to licensing requirements and provide an undetermined number of additional floaters. That does not fulfill our request for consistent classroom assistance. Meeting licensing requirements is essential, but children’s daily needs do not disappear simply because a classroom meets the minimum ratio.

We are striking because repeated requests for support have not produced the commitment we need. We love teaching these children, and we need working conditions that allow us to care for them safely and effectively.

Please sign this petition to support the teachers’ strike and urge YWCA Richmond to pause enrollment in classrooms without full-time assistants, provide reliable backup and coverage, and communicate honestly with staff and families.

Our children deserve consistent care. Their teachers deserve the support to provide it.