I have been utilizing Child Care Aware’s Child Care Provider
section of the website for the last few weeks for my actual job. My program is
license exempt but I have the same standards and expectations that one would
find in a licensed program. I am currently trying to develop a code of
conduct/code of ethics as well as more formal policies and procedures that are
available to staff in one succinct manual. I have been using http://www.childcareaware.org/child-care-providers/management-plan/policies-and-procedures
and http://www.childcareaware.org/child-care-providers/training/types-of-training
to guide me through the process and help me to make sure that I am not missing
anything essential.
Child Care Aware has a tool for families to help determine
if they should stay at home with their children or return to work. This is
accessible through their ASAP (Accessing Support for All Families) program
portal, found here: http://childcareaware.org/node/1958.
The tool takes them through several questions regarding their thoughts and
feelings, logistics related to staying home or returning to work, finding
resources, and finances via a budgeting calculator. I thought this was
something that could be helpful for families who were uncertain about which decision
was right for them/their families. It also relates to the issue of families
making tough decisions based on affordability of care.
On their homepage, under “Quick Links,” Child Care Aware has
a link titled “Cost of Care Report.” After clicking the link, you are taken to
a very brief summary of the report, materials for downloading, and a graphic of
a map depicting the daycare cost for an infant as a percentage of a married
couple’s income. My state is in the highest percentage, more than 12%. More
information about the high cost of child care and how that affects children,
parents, and the community appears in the 67 page report. In the report, child
care is referred to as “workforce support” and a “sound economic investment.”
This echoes what we have learned this week about why economists and politicians
have interest in early childhood programs and education. This report can be
found here: http://usa.childcareaware.org/sites/default/files/Cost%20of%20Care%202013%20110613.pdf
I’m not sure if this is a new feature or if I just haven’t noticed
it previously, but Child Care Aware has an amazing Live Support/Chat with a
Child Care Expert function, found here: https://ccachat.childcareaware.org/StartChat.aspx?d=1.
This could be an invaluable tool for teachers, administrators, and parents.
Thank you for your post, this is helpful information as I know the decision and cost of child care can be difficult for some families. I also plan to look at the support/chat with child care expert function, I think as a teacher it may be a good resource. I have been taking note of many resources that I had no idea about prior to this class, so much useful information.
ReplyDeleteYou always have very detailed and informative posts. I love reading your posts and gaining the useful information you share. Good luck with developing a code of conduct/code of ethics.
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