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In response to Gail Collins’ recent op-ed in the NY Times on child care, I wonder if she knows what we’re doing in Iowa.

Iowans take seriously our ability to impact the political discourse and discernment of presidential candidates. For several years our early childhood advocates have been asking tough questions of the candidates and many provide political strategy (across the aisle) on behalf of our youngest citizens. We attend events, host forums, invite the candidates to our early childhood conferences, etc. This is also why Every Child Matters once again has an office in Iowa.

As we all know, children don’t vote, so it’s up to us to represent children’s interests. Certainly Senator Chris Dodd is to be commended for a strong history of supporting children’s issues but he isn’t alone. We should also recognize the work of Senator John Edwards.

In the spring of 2003 I heard Senator Edwards answer a question about education by saying that education begins in early childhood. He and Elizabeth have regularly addressed the need to improve quality of child care and access to early education because we know it is essential to a child’s full potential. As leading economists and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis have attested it is also the best return on the dollar for the country as well.

Senator Edwards has developed strong policies on these issues but rarely are they highlighted by the media. Discouraging as that is, I encourage all child advocates to show up at candidate events, ask the questions, follow up with the staff, volunteer, share your insights and thoughts. The time is now!

Beth Walling
Chair of Senator Edwards’ Cabinet on Children & Youth
Iowa

Thank you for this piece today. This is exactly what I was trying to address with a recent letter that I submitted to our local newspaper, which I will attach below. Parents and media need to know where these candidates stand with regards to the early care and education of our nation's youngest members. Kudos! to you Exchange for supporting that!
Sincerely,
Cathy Paradis
21C CHILDCARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL

To: The Editor-Eagle Times

From: Cathy Paradis
21C Childcare Resource and Referral
169 Main Street, Suite 220
Claremont, NH 03743
603-543-4295

Date: October 17, 2007
Re: Letter to the Editor

To The Editor:
Monday, October 15th, marked the first day that Presidential candidates could officially file for the New Hampshire Primary. The filing period ends three weeks from now, with a possibility of at least eighteen candidates, if not more, throwing their political hats into the ring.
Many conversations with the candidates and several broadcast debates have highlighted important issues that we, as a nation, both need and want answers to. Issues such as the war in Iraq and universal healthcare seem to top the list of conversational points, both worthy of their placement at the top of the list. However, as the director of the 21C Childcare Resource and Referral Program, on a daily basis, I as well as my colleagues across the country, work with parents who are struggling to afford quality childcare for their children.
Research shows that quality early childhood experiences can make a lasting impression on children and promote healthy and positive learning skills. Unfortunately, not all families can afford quality care and in some cases, must settle for less than quality care, thus leaving their children in sub-standard care. In a country where nationwide, nearly 12 million children under the age of 5 are in childcare each week, it is essential that the care offered to these children is quality, affordable care. This is a crucial issue for so many working families.
As our state primary approaches, it presents a unique opportunity for New Hampshire voters and media partners to challenge the Presidential candidates on this rarely discussed issue on the national campaign trail. I encourage your readers and your reporters to ask the candidates where they stand on this important issue. Simply asking them “What is your position on early learning and care, including preparing children for kindergarten?” should offer some insight to us, the voters, as to whether or not every child matters to them, as our future President. Please take the time to find out where your candidate of choice stands on this issue, especially if a child that you know or love is in childcare.
Respectfully,

Cathy L. Paradis
21C Childcare Resource and Referral

Correction: Candidate and NY Senator Hillary Clinton just co-sponsored the Quality Child Care for America Act in the Senate. The bill focuses on issues related to child care work force support and development.

THAILAND

And why would this be surprising? There is such moralizing about women in the work force. Whether women choose to work for personal or professional rewards or if they must work for financial reasons, there is still this moralizing and guilt-ifying work because we women are supposed to be mothers and be the cornerstones of their families. Hah! Many of us work full time and continue to do 95% of all the other work required in running a household.
Many Americans and politicians have their puritanical heads in the sand and are not willing to look at and embrace the reality of working mothers and the STRENGTHS this brings to children.