ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

The response to this EED is gratifying and yet I want it to be an ongoing dialogue that just doesn't stop. I have file drawers of articles going back to the 1970s and I have many printed reports from prestigious authors and organizations that measure over 12-inches in height. We can't expect an occasional article, even one with a name as startling as this one on the cover of a well-known magazine. I attended the event at the New America Foundation (www.newamerica.net; check out this website and explore their listserve; it could be useful) during which the author of the article spoke and after which 3 very knowledgeable persons commented (none of the five, including the moderator, are ECE folks; there were some gaps and somewhat misleading or ignorant statements made; I corrected some of them! I look forward to Exchange's article. President Obama should get much credit for this article and many others; his State of the Union address in February has generated great interest. We must keep up the work he and others have started, because there will be negative feedback as well. Don't let up!!! Be honest. Be polite. Be informed. Don't back down, don't cloud the issues, don't be nasty. And know your ECE history!!!

It is a very sad truth that the funding for quality childcare is extremely low in the US. Our tution costs are very competitive and lower than many centers around us. Even with the lower costs, CCCAP doesn't cover half the cost of care we charge our families that pay out of pocket.

While we meet licensing requirements and have well trained staff, many with college degrees, I know that many childcare centers do not employee people with these higher qualifications. Sadly, the amout most centers are able to pay is not going to meet the needs of people with higher degrees and more experience in quality childcare. The State of Colorado has pretty high expectations for center staff but the pay doesn't match what it takes to receive the training.

I think that we need a change of understanding of the importance of quality of childcare in the United States. Most people do not understand the important of early child development or the challenges families face finidng and affording quality care.

I often wonder what is needed for people to be able to connect the research, effective practices and the funding needed to ensure young children are in environments where the commitment is to make sure they have what they need to succeed in school and life.

My understanding is we are now about Early Care and Education, mindful of the importance of making sure infants and toddlers have experiences that maximizes the potential wiring of the brain and their potential to succeed.

I think the balance care and education can be perceived as complex. I often wonder what would be the effect of beginning by answering questions about the funds needed to achieve desired outcomes. For example, we have evidence that the educational level of the teacher has an effect on the quality of program for the children. Therefore, would it not make sense to determine what funds are needed to have a teacher with a Bachelor's degree in every room for children, beginning with infants. Next, what is the salary and benefits necessary for the professionals working with the children to meet their needs, so they are able to focus on their interactions with children.

Another question I wonder about is "What changes in culture is needed to create a 21st Century education system, rather than maintain an Industrial model/Farming culture. For example, if K-12 teachers have planning time, what are reasons not to provide this for teachers of younger children. Shifting from the place to the children served.

My hope this article will stimulate actions to update the culture of what education for all means today.

This report I just read is a tragedy, the continuing tragedy is that this story has not created an immediate change in our national childcare situation. Some states mandate education for early childhood employees or professionals but we still need to offer education to the families of children needing childcare. We need to inform families what the indicators are for what a quality program looks like and feels like.

Families need to "pop" in check on their children periodically during the days. We need to educate families what the cost of having children is and having children is a choice not a necessity. Neighborhoods and residents need to be educated on what is quality in childcare so they will watch for indicators of children being improperly cared for or recognize substandard child cares.

Earning a higher educational degree is expensive, either you have the money to acquire a degree or you go into extreme debt to get a degree. Our education in the United States is not FREE or accessible so many people have to settle for substandard jobs that don't support their family's needs. The national views on our young children need to change, we need to recognize the need to offer quality early childhood years to our children. Raising children is everybody's responsibility whether you have children or not. So what if some of your income/taxes go to support early childhood! These are the people that will probably be taking care of you when you are elderly! Wouldn't you want them have the best nurturing possible in their early years so they know what nurturing is and pass it on to you?

Yes some states offer child care subsidies but the subsidy amount only increases once every 10 years when child care rates have to increase every year. The subsidy does not keep up with the rising cost of providing care so more of the cost is pushed onto the parents when their cost of living is increasing every year. Our national society needs to be forced to change instead of "hiding their heads in the sands" thinking these problems will go away.

Immediately our law makers need to consult with Early Childhood Professionals to change state licensing laws and make strict licensing standards for all states. State licensing agents need to be held accountable for quality care. When licensing agents say they "felt" something was wrong and did not look into their gut feeling, they should be held accountable for the deaths of those children.

To reinforce again I believe in EDUCATION FOR ALL, YOUNG AND OLD!

When we finally are willing to "invest" public monies in the care and education of the youngest children, that is when we will see a change. I live in Minnesota and we have begun the Parent Aware voluntary rating system fore licensed providers. Their rating is tied to documented training in child development, safety practices, health practices, curriculum and assessment, diversity training, individualizing for special needs and making a commitment to professional growth. But it is hard to encourage people to enter a career which pays such low wages.