State Employees in Downtown Madison, WI Get Special $268,000 Child Care Subsidy

The Associated Press ran a story yesterday that caught my eye. In the midst of all the stories about parents struggling to find affordable child daycare in order to work and support their families, this story just struck me as odd.

According to the AP, about 100 state employees that work in downtown Madison have, for several years, benefited from a special $268,000 child care subsidy. All of these employees use the same downtown Madison, WI daycare center.

While the state of Wisconsin employs about 67,000 workers total, this subsidy is only offered to about 100 employees who use this particular chld care center. So, these workers average about $2,680 each per year help pay for care - at one center.

There was a move in the Wisconsin State Legislature to repeal the subsidy, but it failed, with subsidy supporters calling the opponents "petty".

According to a press release from State Representative Sue Jeskewitz, there are at least five other certified child care providers within a four mile radius of the capital that do not receive the subsidy, which has been in effect since 1991.

Why are the benefits only given to employees who use this particular location for child care? Why is it that the only State of Wisconsin employees who are given this subsidy are those that work in downtown Madison?

At the very least, it seems like the subsidy should benefit all of the certified, downtown Madison child daycare providers.


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$46 million in Colorado child care assistance goes unused

On May 1, 2007 the Denver Post reported that over $46 million of funds earmarked for low-income child care assistance has gone unused:

Day-care funds go begging

The state of Colorado and many counties, including Denver, tightened the qualifications for this low-income child care assistance back in 2001, anticipating deep cuts in federal funding that never came.

So, for the last six years, the number of families receiving assistance has declined by over 30%, while the programs have received the same amount of funding, which has resulted in the surplus.

Now, counties are scrambling to add families to the program, or risk losing their share of this money to other counties that do. In Denver, the income level to qualify for a family of 3 was $2,558 - now it's $3,200.

The counties are desperate to communicate the new income levels to parents who previously thought they wouldn't qualify. SO - DENVER PARENTS - CHECK INTO THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM! It might be easier to qualify than you think.

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New York Preschool Calls For Nationwide Ban On The Phrase Terrible Two's

Hi -

I found this interesting:

( EMAILWIRE.COM, May 29, 2007 ) New York, NY -- Smarter Toddler Nursery and Preschool in New York City has announced a ban on the phrase Terrible Two’s insisting that the term encourages and excuses bad behavior in Toddlers. “A two year old who people refer to as a Terrible Two may need either more physical activity, more stimulating academic challenges or simply more 1-on-1 attention,” said Jessica Collins, spokesperson for the school, “At Smarter Toddler we don't believe in the phrase Terrible Two's. What we do believe in is giving a child a combination of attention and special activities that help to keep their minds off of the need to begin what some would describe as bad behavior. Smarter Toddler does that by providing children with a warm, loving, fun environment that focuses on the artistic, cultural and social development of each child”.

The teachers and management of Smarter Toddler would like the support of not only parents with children at their center but also parents, guardians and teachers everywhere to not use the term Terrible Two’s.

“Educators and psychologists have proved that negative statements are more likely to encourage negative behavior in not only children but adults also," said Ms. Collins. "Call Johnny a bad boy and your likely to get a bad boy. Instead of saying Terrible Two, using the term Terrific Two is much more positive and likely to encourage and expect good behavior in a child”.

About Smarter Toddler:
Smarter Toddler is a Daycare Center and Preschool on Manhattan’s Upper West Side founded by parents of gifted toddlers who wanted a progressive preschool with an advanced arts-based curriculum that their own children could benefit from, hence the name. It has long been proven that a child’s brain is like a dry sponge capable of absorbing knowledge at a much faster rate than an adult's. As a result, at Smarter Toddler you’re never too young to begin learning. Since the first Smarter Toddler location at 89th street became popular a new location at 55th street and 9th avenue near Lincoln Center is planned for September 2007.

Smarter Toddler (Nursery, Daycare Centers, Preschools, Early Childhood Schools)
Upper West Side Location:
100A West 89th Street
New York, NY 10024

Midtown Location near Columbus Circle (opening September 2007)
400 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019

WEBSITE: www.SmarterToddler.net
PHONE: (212) 721.9782

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Survey Says NIH Study Causes 60% to Reconsider Daycare

A National Institutes of Health Study shows a slight increase in behavioral issues that are linked to spending time in daycare (NIH Website).

MamaSource.com conducted a survey of some 500 mothers, and found that 60 percent of the more than 500 respondents said the study made them think twice about using day care.

Parents - it's important to wisely choose your daycare provider - the good ones will focus on social development as well as the academic side of care. While price is always a concern, be careful that you don't get more than you bargained for.

Providers - be conscious of the environment you create for the children placed in your care, make it a happy, constructive place that fosters social, emotional, relational, and academic growth.

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Daycare Zoning Issues - Don't Invest Before You Know

I recently came across this article from Chesterton, IN regarding a family's fight with the local zoning authority to run a home daycare business:

BZA Approval of Daycare Not Automatic

This poor couple spent $25,000 to renovate their basement - adding a kitchen, bathroom, etc. so they could run a daycare for up to 12 children (Indiana Class 1 license). Then, they discovered that they needed to get a variance from the local zoning authority to run the business - and it doesn't sound very promising.

To all home daycare providers out there - LOOK INTO ZONING BEFORE YOU SPEND THE MONEY. Sometimes, it isn't a slam-dunk that your business will be legal in your zoning class.

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Even the Smallest can Have a Big Impact

Recently, a bunch of daycare kids in Gaylord, MI took it upon themselves to raise money for a local food bank. They sold candles, and netted $205.80 for the local food pantry as a result.

I LOVE stories like this - it's never too early to teach our children the value of giving. To Dianne Platt (the owner of the daycare) - EXCELLENT WORK!

Here is a link to the article:

Daycare Kids Raise $200 for Pantry

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Finding Quality Daycare

87% of parents describe their normal search for daycare as "Difficult & Frustrating". Count me as one of the 87%.

Recently, my wife and I began looking for a preschool for our recently 3-year-old son. He has spent three "half days" per week in a home daycare, and we have absolutely loved our provider. But, now that our son is older, it is becoming obvious that he needs a more structured environment to help him focus, follow directions, and interact socially in a group.

I used DayCareCrossing.com, which my company owns and operates, to find a great church preschool in my area that fit our price and had openings coming up in the Fall. We visited, loved it, and decided that was the place for our son this Fall.

We kindly, compassionately, and lovingly told our current provider that we would be switching in the Fall. She seemed to take it well, said she understood, and that she appreciated the abundant notice (4 months) that we were giving. Everything seemed to be OK.

But, we soon discovered that it wasn't.

She has since begun cancelling with no notice, becoming less cooperative, etc. After talking with some other in home providers who I have a relationship with through DayCareCrossing.com, I've come to discover that this isn't all that unusual.

So - even though I was able to easily find the quality care that we want for our child, I still have to deal with our current provider being offended because we are leaving in 3 months.

I can't imagine what parents do when they can't easily find quality care - that's why we built DayCareCrossing.com, to make the search easier, and to help connect parents and providers who match.

Good luck in your child care search!

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