There is a CRISIS situation in child-care!
There is a crisis situation in the availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality child-care for the infant and toddler age group.
Excellent care and programs are MOST IMPORTANT for the healthy development of children in this age group.
Learn more:
Dr. Dale Farran's presentation, Early Experiences and Development [.pdf]
You can make a difference...
Consider the actions you can take to promote quality care for all children.
1. Public Policy
Currently the priority is to call your legislators to advocate for a child care certificate reimbursement increase in the TN state budget. It is imperative to call, write, email or make personal calls to the Finance, Ways and Means Committees of the State Legislature.
Get started:
Good points to bring up to a policy maker [.pdf]
Legislator contact list [.pdf]2. Communication
Discuss with your Boards, staff, volunteers, and parents about the issues presented today. Collect parent and provider "stories" that can convey the need for more availability, funding, and resources for infant and toddler care.3. Public Awareness
Take every opportunity to speak to community groups, faith based groups, parent groups and businesses and business leaders about the infant and toddler care issues. Invite groups to visit your centers. Brainstorm you are your professional group who in the communities would be good partners. Inform and enlist new advocates in all the above groups.4. Get Involved
Join the professional organizations, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC), and the Nashville Area Association for the Education of Young Children (NAAEYC). Join the emailing list of the Infant and Toddler Community Task Force by emailing melba.marcrum@mcneillycenter.org for further information and updates.
Week of the Young Child | Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Tennessee Children | Reading | Early Education | Children with Disabilities