9/07/2013
Top 12 Trends in Child Care
Child care is evolving, and most care providers and parents agree the changes are for the best. What are some of the latest trends in child care and what should parents be looking for when making an all-important child care decision?
1. Child Care Is Catering to Budget-Minded Families
More parents are taking a careful look at child care costs, and decisions to reduce hours or even pull their kids out of organized programs entirely due to job losses or expenses are affecting child care providers as well. As a result, more providers are offering flexible hours, keeping rates the same or even reducing them in some cases, and working out pay arrangements for struggling families to encourage families to stay. Special programs or fees are also being scrutinized as providers scramble to find ways to lessen costs while maintaining a quality care program for kids.
2. Child Care is Now Early Education
No longer is child care for young children simply babysitting. Child care centers have mostly transitioned to centers for early education, where young tots are involved with early learning. The trend to learning centers is partly due to high parent and school expectations; it's also attributable to research that shows that kids are capable of learning early academics and other skills that previously were not taught until later. Care centers often offer formalized early education curriculum, and staff receives extensive training in instruction geared for preschoolers.
3. Drop-In Child Care is More Common
It's no surprise that drop-in child care is on the grow. What may come as a surprise to some is that these facilities typically offer high-quality, safe, and affordable care options. The drop-in care facilities focus on fun activities for kids and often include mealtimes and special theme events to provide parents with a worry-free evening or time away from kids. Gyms, recreation centers, churches and even schools are getting into the act of offering Parent Nights Out or similar events. Look for this trend to continue with even greater flexibility in the future.
4. Corporate Child Care is Raising Quality Bar
Corporate child care is raising the bar in terms of quality child care. An increasing number of companies are either offering (or considering) in-house child care centers as a perk for attracting and retaining top employees. In addition, more companies are partnering with child care centers to offer discounted rates or even special hours for employees. Some developers are even focusing on including a child care facility as part of master planning of new areas, knowing that having a quality child care center nearby will make the area more desirable for both employers and employees alike.
5. Technology is Changing Provider/Parent Connection
An increasing number of facilities offer parents the piece of mind of being able to check on their child while at daycare as desired through videostreaming of classroom activities throughout the day. Other providers regularly take photos of children and send to parents, post daily or weekly blogs or e-newsletters online for parents to view, or even exchange emails or text messages throughout the day. The technology provides parents and providers with another tool for staying "in touch" and bonding with activities and events planned for youngsters.
6. Most Child Care is Becoming Safer
While no system is absolutely fail safe, and occasional stories will continue to occur about child pornographers or sex offenders found to be working around children, the truth is that most child care providers are increasing measures to protect children in their charge. Increased security concerning picking up of children, additional background checks and screenings being done on prospective employees, and more surveillance and monitoring (both overt as well as the covert varieties) are helping to increase safety. Training and more thorough checklists is also helping to keep kids safer on field trips and outings.
7. More Child Care Options Exist
Parents today can consider a wider menu of child care choices, and many families are choosing to use a variety of care options based on current needs. Some families may use a nanny for an infant, an in-home provider for a toddler, and then switch to a care center for a preschooler. Some families use one type of care during the school year and then another for summer months. Occasional care service options can include babysitters, drop-in care, specified parent night out nights, and even child care co-ops. Options do abound in most areas, although sometimes you have to really seek them out.
8. The Internet Can Help You Find Child Care
Word of mouth or driving around a neighborhood used to be the most common way to find child care. Today, however, many families, especially those who have moved to a new community, rely on the internet to find quality child care. Many websites offer free listings of child care; most states have a child care site for review as well. Web-based babysitting and child care services are on the increase, and parents can type in a zip code and find providers who meet the specifications designated. Entrepreneurs are increasingly advertising availability for child care as well. Of course, nothing replaces reference checks.
9. Communications Are More Frequent, More Useful
In today's instantaneous, "tell me now" society, communications between child care provider and parent continue to strengthen. Where once a month newsletters used to suffice in addition to daily greetings and goodbyes, child care providers are using a variety of tools to provide parents with ongoing information about their child's day. Some providers create websites where they post monthly menus, weekly day-by-day activities, and even behavioral reports. Others provide parents with a daily update that is then emailed (written during naptime). Even with technology, face-to-face communications is still the best.
10. Child Care Caters to Time-Crunched, Working Parents
Have you noticed how more and more child care centers are offering enrichment options for tots to participate in while still at child care? Parents nowadays are busier than ever, yet want their child to participate in an array of activities at the same time. The solution for some is to sign kids up for optional fee-based ballet, karate, soccer and gymnastics classes that kids participate in during the week while still in care. The instructor comes to the facility rather than the other way around. This type of option may not be for everyone, but it works for those who are very busy or have long commutes each day.
11. Vacation Destinations, Kid-Friendly Hotels Offering On-Site Care
In order to entice parents to stay at a particular hotel or area, many resorts and tourist-based communities have added on-site or close proximity child care. While some facilities may have pricey fees for kids to participate, others are free and include crafts, special movie nights, field trips and more. As tempting as it can be, make sure you thoroughly check out the facility and are comfortable with the rules, safety procedures, staff training, health practices, and activities planned for the kids. If everything checks out: have fun!
12. After-School Programs and Care Provide Child Care Flexibility
Choosing a quality after-school care program can have a tremendous impact on your child's academics, self-esteem and overall happiness. Many daycares transport school-aged children from school back to the center, provide a healthy snack, and then start kids on their homework, so that it is mostly done by the time parents arrive. Some schools have on-site programs as well to avoid kids going home to an empty house until parents get off work.
1. Child Care Is Catering to Budget-Minded Families
More parents are taking a careful look at child care costs, and decisions to reduce hours or even pull their kids out of organized programs entirely due to job losses or expenses are affecting child care providers as well. As a result, more providers are offering flexible hours, keeping rates the same or even reducing them in some cases, and working out pay arrangements for struggling families to encourage families to stay. Special programs or fees are also being scrutinized as providers scramble to find ways to lessen costs while maintaining a quality care program for kids.
2. Child Care is Now Early Education
No longer is child care for young children simply babysitting. Child care centers have mostly transitioned to centers for early education, where young tots are involved with early learning. The trend to learning centers is partly due to high parent and school expectations; it's also attributable to research that shows that kids are capable of learning early academics and other skills that previously were not taught until later. Care centers often offer formalized early education curriculum, and staff receives extensive training in instruction geared for preschoolers.
3. Drop-In Child Care is More Common
It's no surprise that drop-in child care is on the grow. What may come as a surprise to some is that these facilities typically offer high-quality, safe, and affordable care options. The drop-in care facilities focus on fun activities for kids and often include mealtimes and special theme events to provide parents with a worry-free evening or time away from kids. Gyms, recreation centers, churches and even schools are getting into the act of offering Parent Nights Out or similar events. Look for this trend to continue with even greater flexibility in the future.
4. Corporate Child Care is Raising Quality Bar
Corporate child care is raising the bar in terms of quality child care. An increasing number of companies are either offering (or considering) in-house child care centers as a perk for attracting and retaining top employees. In addition, more companies are partnering with child care centers to offer discounted rates or even special hours for employees. Some developers are even focusing on including a child care facility as part of master planning of new areas, knowing that having a quality child care center nearby will make the area more desirable for both employers and employees alike.
5. Technology is Changing Provider/Parent Connection
An increasing number of facilities offer parents the piece of mind of being able to check on their child while at daycare as desired through videostreaming of classroom activities throughout the day. Other providers regularly take photos of children and send to parents, post daily or weekly blogs or e-newsletters online for parents to view, or even exchange emails or text messages throughout the day. The technology provides parents and providers with another tool for staying "in touch" and bonding with activities and events planned for youngsters.
6. Most Child Care is Becoming Safer
While no system is absolutely fail safe, and occasional stories will continue to occur about child pornographers or sex offenders found to be working around children, the truth is that most child care providers are increasing measures to protect children in their charge. Increased security concerning picking up of children, additional background checks and screenings being done on prospective employees, and more surveillance and monitoring (both overt as well as the covert varieties) are helping to increase safety. Training and more thorough checklists is also helping to keep kids safer on field trips and outings.
7. More Child Care Options Exist
Parents today can consider a wider menu of child care choices, and many families are choosing to use a variety of care options based on current needs. Some families may use a nanny for an infant, an in-home provider for a toddler, and then switch to a care center for a preschooler. Some families use one type of care during the school year and then another for summer months. Occasional care service options can include babysitters, drop-in care, specified parent night out nights, and even child care co-ops. Options do abound in most areas, although sometimes you have to really seek them out.
8. The Internet Can Help You Find Child Care
Word of mouth or driving around a neighborhood used to be the most common way to find child care. Today, however, many families, especially those who have moved to a new community, rely on the internet to find quality child care. Many websites offer free listings of child care; most states have a child care site for review as well. Web-based babysitting and child care services are on the increase, and parents can type in a zip code and find providers who meet the specifications designated. Entrepreneurs are increasingly advertising availability for child care as well. Of course, nothing replaces reference checks.
9. Communications Are More Frequent, More Useful
In today's instantaneous, "tell me now" society, communications between child care provider and parent continue to strengthen. Where once a month newsletters used to suffice in addition to daily greetings and goodbyes, child care providers are using a variety of tools to provide parents with ongoing information about their child's day. Some providers create websites where they post monthly menus, weekly day-by-day activities, and even behavioral reports. Others provide parents with a daily update that is then emailed (written during naptime). Even with technology, face-to-face communications is still the best.
10. Child Care Caters to Time-Crunched, Working Parents
Have you noticed how more and more child care centers are offering enrichment options for tots to participate in while still at child care? Parents nowadays are busier than ever, yet want their child to participate in an array of activities at the same time. The solution for some is to sign kids up for optional fee-based ballet, karate, soccer and gymnastics classes that kids participate in during the week while still in care. The instructor comes to the facility rather than the other way around. This type of option may not be for everyone, but it works for those who are very busy or have long commutes each day.
11. Vacation Destinations, Kid-Friendly Hotels Offering On-Site Care
In order to entice parents to stay at a particular hotel or area, many resorts and tourist-based communities have added on-site or close proximity child care. While some facilities may have pricey fees for kids to participate, others are free and include crafts, special movie nights, field trips and more. As tempting as it can be, make sure you thoroughly check out the facility and are comfortable with the rules, safety procedures, staff training, health practices, and activities planned for the kids. If everything checks out: have fun!
12. After-School Programs and Care Provide Child Care Flexibility
Choosing a quality after-school care program can have a tremendous impact on your child's academics, self-esteem and overall happiness. Many daycares transport school-aged children from school back to the center, provide a healthy snack, and then start kids on their homework, so that it is mostly done by the time parents arrive. Some schools have on-site programs as well to avoid kids going home to an empty house until parents get off work.
Top 10 Things Child Care Providers Want YOU To Know
Child care is a profession, not a babysitting service. And, as a business, there are certain things that the care professionals would like everyone to know. Here are 10 things the rest of us need to know about the challenging and rewarding career of being a child care provider.
1. Child Care Is A Business--Not A Babysitting Service
Child care is a business and providers are professionals; please don't refer them as babysitters. As such, it is reasonable to expect that care providers will have established rules, hours and pay rates that keep the door open and quality care provided to all. Parents should be appreciative that a provider takes time to create a handbook, contract, and other details that help to foster communications and understanding.
2. Providers Have The Right To Charge Late Fees; Other Applicable Charges
Providers have the right to add fees if parents are late picking up children, may charge even if a child is not taken to care on a particular day (the slot is still being held for this child), and should charge families in advance and not make exceptions. Why? They often get taken advantage of by families if they don't. Providers are empathetic to the kids in their care and their families; however, sob stories will not pay their bills. After all, would you work for free?
3. Hear The Calling? Calling For Bills To Be Paid Like Anyone Else
Child care providers have a "calling" for caring for kids. But, I also like the Child Care Forum's moderator (Symphony) definition of calling. She says: "I also had a calling. The gas company was calling. The phone company was calling. My mortgage company was calling. They all wanted to be paid and I needed to make enough to pay them." After all, parents are using care providers usually because they are working themselves to also collect an income.
4. Care Providers Are NOT Housekeepers
Do not expect care providers to do your child's laundry and wash their cups or items. Professional care providers don't have the time to do loads of laundry or wash dishes--and, would you rather them do housekeeping work or care for your kids? That's not to say that providers won't sometimes wash soiled clothing, rinse mud off shoes, or wash a sippy cup. But, parents should realize that a provider is being gracious and is going above what is required.
5. Boundaries and Rules Are Good For Kids & Their Parents
Parents and providers should be clear on rules surrounding transportation (some providers take kids to the park or library; others do not for liability reasons), food that is served, discipline approaches taken, and other care issues. Parents and providers should be comfortable with the provider's rules. If not, they have a choice to go elsewhere, and providers have the choice not to keep a child.
6. Treat Providers' Home Like Your Own
Mi casa es su casa. The well-known Spanish phrase of "my house is your house" often does not extend to children in care, much to the chagrin of child care professionals. Parents won't let a child with muddy shoes walk on their carpet, yet the same parents will bring their child into the home with mud (or worse) on the bottoms of the shoes. Respect of property and a person's home is important aspect of a successful child care arrangement.
7. Cost Is Well-Deserved: You Get What You Pay For!
The same parents who seem incensed at a weekly child care rate of $75 or $125 think nothing of spending excessive money on personal items, clothes, cars, etc.--yet say their child is their most important asset. Parents should certainly consider cost when making a child care choice. At the same time, they should consider the quality of care and what they are getting for their money, and not grumble about having to pay for the service they receive.
8. Leave Providers Out of Domestic Spats and Custody Battles, PLEASE!
Don't put a provider in the middle of spouse disagreements, custody battles, or other domestic concerns that don't involve child care. Providers lament being told, "if my ex comes for my child, don't you dare let my kid leave." Providers act in accordance with signed agreements of who can and cannot bring/pick up a child, and this is not a day-to-day variance. If there is a court order, the provider needs to have a copy. But, don't put them in the middle please!
9. Scrapes and Scratches Will Happen
Accidents will happen. So, why is it that parents will become outraged sometimes when their child gets scratched, bumps a knee, or even, regretfully, bitten? Providers do their very best to keep kid play safe and positive, and to have all children be best of friends. But, falls and scrapes do happen. Just like they do at YOUR house.
10. What Do You Mean, "Do As I Say But Not As I Do?"
To the chagrin of many a provider, some parents dictate rules that are hard to abide by (such as absolutely no sweets), only to see a child handed a cookie as they leave. While parents certainly should have a say over food or certain rules, a provider must be able to equitably provide meals, snacks and discipline. Obviously, allergies or healthy eating are a given; it's the inconsistencies that cause pause.
Do you agree with these provider tips to parents?
Do you agree with these lists of what providers want parents to know? Why or why not? Do you have other suggestions as well? Parents, do you have suggestions of your own? Remember--mutual understanding, respect, and clear communications are the key. Above all, care providers take their jobs seriously, and our children are the ones that are rewarded with proper care and nurturing.
1. Child Care Is A Business--Not A Babysitting Service
Child care is a business and providers are professionals; please don't refer them as babysitters. As such, it is reasonable to expect that care providers will have established rules, hours and pay rates that keep the door open and quality care provided to all. Parents should be appreciative that a provider takes time to create a handbook, contract, and other details that help to foster communications and understanding.
2. Providers Have The Right To Charge Late Fees; Other Applicable Charges
Providers have the right to add fees if parents are late picking up children, may charge even if a child is not taken to care on a particular day (the slot is still being held for this child), and should charge families in advance and not make exceptions. Why? They often get taken advantage of by families if they don't. Providers are empathetic to the kids in their care and their families; however, sob stories will not pay their bills. After all, would you work for free?
3. Hear The Calling? Calling For Bills To Be Paid Like Anyone Else
Child care providers have a "calling" for caring for kids. But, I also like the Child Care Forum's moderator (Symphony) definition of calling. She says: "I also had a calling. The gas company was calling. The phone company was calling. My mortgage company was calling. They all wanted to be paid and I needed to make enough to pay them." After all, parents are using care providers usually because they are working themselves to also collect an income.
4. Care Providers Are NOT Housekeepers
Do not expect care providers to do your child's laundry and wash their cups or items. Professional care providers don't have the time to do loads of laundry or wash dishes--and, would you rather them do housekeeping work or care for your kids? That's not to say that providers won't sometimes wash soiled clothing, rinse mud off shoes, or wash a sippy cup. But, parents should realize that a provider is being gracious and is going above what is required.
5. Boundaries and Rules Are Good For Kids & Their Parents
Parents and providers should be clear on rules surrounding transportation (some providers take kids to the park or library; others do not for liability reasons), food that is served, discipline approaches taken, and other care issues. Parents and providers should be comfortable with the provider's rules. If not, they have a choice to go elsewhere, and providers have the choice not to keep a child.
6. Treat Providers' Home Like Your Own
Mi casa es su casa. The well-known Spanish phrase of "my house is your house" often does not extend to children in care, much to the chagrin of child care professionals. Parents won't let a child with muddy shoes walk on their carpet, yet the same parents will bring their child into the home with mud (or worse) on the bottoms of the shoes. Respect of property and a person's home is important aspect of a successful child care arrangement.
7. Cost Is Well-Deserved: You Get What You Pay For!
The same parents who seem incensed at a weekly child care rate of $75 or $125 think nothing of spending excessive money on personal items, clothes, cars, etc.--yet say their child is their most important asset. Parents should certainly consider cost when making a child care choice. At the same time, they should consider the quality of care and what they are getting for their money, and not grumble about having to pay for the service they receive.
8. Leave Providers Out of Domestic Spats and Custody Battles, PLEASE!
Don't put a provider in the middle of spouse disagreements, custody battles, or other domestic concerns that don't involve child care. Providers lament being told, "if my ex comes for my child, don't you dare let my kid leave." Providers act in accordance with signed agreements of who can and cannot bring/pick up a child, and this is not a day-to-day variance. If there is a court order, the provider needs to have a copy. But, don't put them in the middle please!
9. Scrapes and Scratches Will Happen
Accidents will happen. So, why is it that parents will become outraged sometimes when their child gets scratched, bumps a knee, or even, regretfully, bitten? Providers do their very best to keep kid play safe and positive, and to have all children be best of friends. But, falls and scrapes do happen. Just like they do at YOUR house.
10. What Do You Mean, "Do As I Say But Not As I Do?"
To the chagrin of many a provider, some parents dictate rules that are hard to abide by (such as absolutely no sweets), only to see a child handed a cookie as they leave. While parents certainly should have a say over food or certain rules, a provider must be able to equitably provide meals, snacks and discipline. Obviously, allergies or healthy eating are a given; it's the inconsistencies that cause pause.
Do you agree with these provider tips to parents?
Do you agree with these lists of what providers want parents to know? Why or why not? Do you have other suggestions as well? Parents, do you have suggestions of your own? Remember--mutual understanding, respect, and clear communications are the key. Above all, care providers take their jobs seriously, and our children are the ones that are rewarded with proper care and nurturing.
Do men make good child care providers?
Question: Do men make good child care providers?
Is there a stigma facing men who desire to become a child care provider? While the child care profession is comprised mostly of women, is there any reason that men can't become a child care provider as well? And, will parents trust their children with a male care provider? These are the questions an increasing number of men are asking as they consider a career in child care.
Answer: While being a male child care provider isn't exactly breaking new ground, finding men who are actually qualified and fulltime child care professionals are still far and few between. But there is no reason a male can't have a successful career as a family child care provider or even a manny.
As traditional gender roles and careers continue to change, society is much more accepting of men as nurses, teachers, flight attendants, and other jobs previously held by females. The same is true of a male child care provider. While it may catch some parents off-guard initially, families who utilize men as child care providers often express extreme satisfaction about the care of their children.
Like any job, performance and overall comfort level of a care provider charged with caring for kids is based on qualifications, experience, how a person interacts with and responds to children, essential caregiver services, and the ability to keep kids safe, happy and healthy. Gender shouldn't be the consideration; overall qualifications are the key criteria that should be judged.
Still, to overcome any hesitancy on the part of parents, male child care providers may choose to be extra-organized and detailed to provide an extra level of trust with parents. Potential families will know plans for daily activities; how the caregiver will respond to certain situations; how mealtimes, playtimes and naptimes are coordinated; disciplinary approaches; and whether the provider has the ability to multitask various childcare situations simultaneously.
In addition, men may want to initiate conversations about sexual predators and agree to a background check to allay any potential concerns a parent may have about gender and contact appropriateness. Parents may have an initial sense of discomfort about a male changing the diaper of a female child, for example, that they may be hesitant in bringing up. (Parents should always bear in mind that sexual predators can be women as well as men.) Since men today are often charged with the same parenting responsibilities as women, any uneasiness can often be dispelled through honest, upfront conversations.
Male child care providers should take appropriate child care training, and be prepared to discuss their first-aid and CPR qualifications among any early childhood training or specialty qualifications they may have.
Parents using male care providers often talk about how the male presence is a strong positive with their child. Like with any child care provider, the ultimate decision is whether parents and the child are comfortable and happy about a particular arrangement and schedule and feel a rapport with the provider (male or female) they choose.
Is there a stigma facing men who desire to become a child care provider? While the child care profession is comprised mostly of women, is there any reason that men can't become a child care provider as well? And, will parents trust their children with a male care provider? These are the questions an increasing number of men are asking as they consider a career in child care.
Answer: While being a male child care provider isn't exactly breaking new ground, finding men who are actually qualified and fulltime child care professionals are still far and few between. But there is no reason a male can't have a successful career as a family child care provider or even a manny.
As traditional gender roles and careers continue to change, society is much more accepting of men as nurses, teachers, flight attendants, and other jobs previously held by females. The same is true of a male child care provider. While it may catch some parents off-guard initially, families who utilize men as child care providers often express extreme satisfaction about the care of their children.
Like any job, performance and overall comfort level of a care provider charged with caring for kids is based on qualifications, experience, how a person interacts with and responds to children, essential caregiver services, and the ability to keep kids safe, happy and healthy. Gender shouldn't be the consideration; overall qualifications are the key criteria that should be judged.
Still, to overcome any hesitancy on the part of parents, male child care providers may choose to be extra-organized and detailed to provide an extra level of trust with parents. Potential families will know plans for daily activities; how the caregiver will respond to certain situations; how mealtimes, playtimes and naptimes are coordinated; disciplinary approaches; and whether the provider has the ability to multitask various childcare situations simultaneously.
In addition, men may want to initiate conversations about sexual predators and agree to a background check to allay any potential concerns a parent may have about gender and contact appropriateness. Parents may have an initial sense of discomfort about a male changing the diaper of a female child, for example, that they may be hesitant in bringing up. (Parents should always bear in mind that sexual predators can be women as well as men.) Since men today are often charged with the same parenting responsibilities as women, any uneasiness can often be dispelled through honest, upfront conversations.
Male child care providers should take appropriate child care training, and be prepared to discuss their first-aid and CPR qualifications among any early childhood training or specialty qualifications they may have.
Parents using male care providers often talk about how the male presence is a strong positive with their child. Like with any child care provider, the ultimate decision is whether parents and the child are comfortable and happy about a particular arrangement and schedule and feel a rapport with the provider (male or female) they choose.
9/01/2013
Our Daycare Angel
Sadly 3 years ago a beautiful little girl from one of the Acacia Hill centres passed away from childhood cancer, our Daycare Angel. Imogen fought a tough battle and was given her Angel wings on 1st May 2010. Since Imogen’s passing her mum has worked tirelessly to give back to those who helped them. Fiona (Imogen’s mum) would like your help by purchasing one of her ‘ladybirds’ for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation.
How One Little Princess Ladybird Continues To Make Wishes Come True
The creator behind inspiring hand-made local business Imogen’s Angels, Fiona Holmes, today announced that for the second year she will be hosting Princess Ladybird Week commencing 24th April 2013 to raise funds for the Make- A- Wish® Australia.
In 2010 Fiona’s daughter Imogen earned her soft feathery wings and joined the other angels after a courageous journey through illness. Known as the Princess Ladybird, Imogen was a loving, determined, smiley, loud, boisterous, happy, bossy character who was literally “louder than life” says mum Fiona.
“While Imogen left us nearly 3 years ago, she is still very much with us and by creating Princess Ladybird I can help myself and my family to remain close and connected to her and at the same time we have a chance to give back to an organisation that helped Imogen to fulfil a wish of her own.”ladybirds
Imogen had a unique fondness for ladybirds, something she shared with her mum and the women in Fiona’s family. For them the ladybird represents luck, innocence, magic and joy. During one of Imogen’s treatment sessions a little ladybird somehow made its way into the completely sterile treatment room, earning Imogen the nickname Princess Ladybird from the nursing staff at Princess Margaret Hospital.
During the week of 24th April to 1st May each year, Fiona sells Princess Ladybird brooch pins to raise funds for the Make- A- Wish Foundation with 100% of the profits going directly to the foundation. This helps to support Make- A- Wish to grant wishes to other seriously-ill children and their families so that others can experience the magic that Fiona, her husband Jason, big brother Kody, little brother Ashton and Imogen were able to experience when they went to Queensland thanks to Make-A-Wish in 2009.
Imogen lives on each and every day in the creative magic Fiona shares with her range of high quality products she hand-makes with love and sells through Imogen’s Angels.
For more information and to find out how you can purchase your own Princess Ladybird visit www.imogensangels.com.au.
About
Organisation name: Imogen’s AngelsContact name: Fiona Holmes
Contact number: 040 777 6549
Contact email: fiona@imogensangels.com.au
Website: www.imogensangels.com.au
Only the Rich Can Afford to Have Kids in You.
There are two common ripostes to this problem from those who don’t think it’s the government’s job to help parents pay for child care. The first is that people shouldn’t have kids they can’t “afford.” At this point, that means only the well-off can afford to have kids. Quart interviews lawyers, professors, and accountants who are all barely making ends meet after they pay for child care.
The other response is that one parent should stay home if a family can’t afford child care. But that too is a simplistic answer. Child care isn’t the only expense—most families need two working parents to feed and clothe their offspring. Also, if one parent—and yes, it’s usually the woman—stops working for a prolonged period of time, this has a ripple effect on the future earning potential for the entire family. For every two years a woman is out of the workforce, her earnings fall 10 percent.
Children are going to be born to Americans who are not wealthy. This is a fact. Those children need to be cared for, for their own good and the good of society—another fact. According to Helen Blank, the director of child care and early learning at the National Women’s Law Center, parents pay about 60 percent of child care costs, the government pays about 39 percent through tax credits or directly subsidizing child care, and the private sector pays less than 1 percent. That’s a calculus that has to change, but there’s no miracle solution, Blank says.
“There’s been progress for 3s and 4s,” Blank explains, with more states funding universal prekindergarten and with Obama proposing a federal tobacco tax to pay for expanded early childhood education. But from birth to toddlerhood, American parents are generally on their own, with only 11 percent of American parents getting any paid family leave after their children are born.
There’s no quick fix, but quality child care should be an extremely important cultural imperative. Whether parents get help with funding from larger tax credits, more subsidies, or even through the largess of a Bill Gates–style billionaire, it is in the interest of everyone—not just parents—that our youngest citizens get the care they need and deserve, no matter how much money their parents make.
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