Grade: B-

Issue Statement:

The quality of and availability of childcare impacts every sector of our community. Studies show that children enrolled in quality child care programs exhibit better language and social skills, higher school achievement and have less need for special services than children in poor child care programs. Children from low-income families benefit more from quality early care but they are less likely to have access to these services. Nationwide, employers are finding that investing in quality childcare for their employees helps recruit and retain personnel, lowers employee stress and absenteeism and increases productivity.

Needs analyses show that Boone County has a number of resources that can be deployed to improve the quality of early care in general. They also show a shortage of quality services for infants and toddlers, as well as care for children of parents working non-traditional schedules.

• number of children served in accredited facilities.

• qualifications of caregivers.

• cost of quality care and the percentage of income spent on childcare.

Progress Statement:

• This year we have made great progress is establishing the foundations needed to support a comprehensive system of quality childcare in Boone County. That work has yet to fully impact individual providers and programs.

• Established operating guidelines for the Community Childcare Consortium to formalize links between those community members, businesses and organizations with a stake in quality childcare.

• Secured $497,000 in funding for early care and education initiatives through the Missouri Department of Social Services and the Boone County Community Partnership. Initiatives will increase capacity, improve quality and provide support services to stay at home parents.

• Completed various components of NationsBank/United Way Success by Six planning grant. This included conducting focus groups with childcare providers and local businesses to further identify issues and prioritize community need.

• Recommended city funding to help low income parents whose income exceeds Division of Family Services guidelines.

• Increased by 10% the number of families receiving information from the resource and referral agency. The number of low-income families receiving information increased by 13%.

• Increased the number of accredited home childcare programs by 32% and supported the development of a statewide home accreditation system.

• Increased the number of providers pursuing the Child Development Associate credential.

Goal:

To promote growth and quality of child care services and make them accessible to all families.

• Increase awareness of childcare issues in community.

• Prioritize community needs and develop a plan for addressing those needs.

• Increase the number of Child Development associates or individuals with a comparable credential actively employed in childcare settings in the community.

• Address compensation for child care providers and child care cost issues for families.

Contact:

Lana Poole, Community Child Care Consortium, 573-874-7488.