Early childhood education and intervention is invaluable in building a foundation for children?s cognitive functioning, behavior and social capacities, self-regulating capabilities and health. Research shows that long term benefits include greater academic progression and achievement, increased success and dedication in careers, and a decrease in crime and delinquency.
It seems a no-brainer to make early childhood education a priority for our state. But, is our state?s economy compromising a parent?s ability to provide the opportunity for this intervention? In 2012, Minnesota ranked third nationwide as having the highest childcare costs. Families are paying more for daycare in the Twin Cities then they do for their rent or mortgage. For a single mother, childcare costs over 52% of her income!
The cost of childcare in Minnesota is a real barrier. Parents are forced into a corner where they must get creative to cope with these costs or find an alternative plan. Parents are becoming entrepreneurs, discovering how to stay at home while making an income. Some parents may choose to enter careers with off shifts or forgo furthering their own education to balance the costs of childcare.
From 2003-2006, the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative discovered community, grass-roots organizations, were key in supporting early childhood education. Their ideas were simple. Community forms, professional home-visits to help guide home-based day care providers prepare children for Kindergarten, and simply recognizing a day-care provider's role and service in a child?s education all contributed to increased kindergarten readiness.
The programs are available but, due to the cost of childcare, they aren?t readily accessible for many families. How do you go to a community forum if you work every evening while your children are babysat at the neighbors? How can you bring your child a district?s free tot?s lunch, music and math class if you are online, working from home, while watching your kids? How can professionals provide guidance to your child?s care provider if you can?t afford a center-based or home day care?
The alternative solutions to traditional day-care that many parents seek force them to put their child out of reach for such interventions. Instead of holding an open community forum, it?s time for communities to directly communicate with parents?a phone call or an email--to find out how they can help each family reprioritize early childhood education.
Some school districts have made it easier. Prior Lake offers free preschool. ISD 191 offers home visits for early childhood special education and intervention. Many districts offer Early Childhood Family Education on sliding scale fees. For many in the middle class and below, the cost of childcare is widening the gap between communities, parents, and the need for early childhood education. Let?s start a discussion. We must find a bridge.
Posted in Education | Related Topics: Social Services? Early Childhood Education?
Source: http://www.mn2020hindsight.org/view/making-early-childcare-affordable
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