Thank you for the September 17 article about childcare in Cook County. Childcare is such an important aspect of our economy and well being that it deserves attention.
I could write a book, but will try to keep this short by focusing on some of the good things that the Y/Community Education collaboration “CCYAC” has done for the child care community this past year, after a survey showed that the demand for child care was far greater than the supply. . They open their doors free of charge every Tuesday/Thursday for families and childcares for Open Gym and have now added open swim on Fridays during that time frame (again, free of charge). . They received a grant to get more people trained as childcare providers and to assist with training for those interested in going through the Parent Aware Process. . They met with Birch Grove and another potential provider in the West End to address the lack of infant/toddler care there. . They trained 16 new providers in Cook County this year, most who ended up working for Cooperation Station, the Y or Grand Portage. These trainings were offered to the entire community, including foster parents those interested in becoming providers. . They tried finding people that would be interested in becoming providers in their homes before they decided to open another program. . They provided the following trainings for free: the required AHT/SUIDS class, CARS training, two CPR/First Aid classes, an 8-hour Early Childhood Indicators of Progress class and an 8-hour Child Development class. Many of the current in-home providers attended and benefited, and so did I to be able to sub for the Y and Cooperation Station. Licensed providers need 16 hours of training per year. They could have gotten this and more for free from the Y. . They are almost finished with their “Traveling Trunks” project. When this project kicks off, there will be 26 two-week themed kits that area providers (including in-home providers) can check out. They will include lesson plans, activity ideas, a CD with music related to the theme, books that go with the themes, dramatic play props, and manipulatives. This idea came from some of the suggestions received from licensed providers. . Their resource library will be available to all of the daycares in town. I have donated some books to this library.
Licensed Family Child Care Providers are eligible for an annual grant through Child Care Aware but as “for profit” businesses (and yes, child care is a business!), they are not eligible for grants that require a nonprofit status. (There are resources for small businesses however—here in Cook County you can contact Pat Campanaro.)
As a nonprofit, the Y is in a position to apply for grants that will help all childcare providers, and is eager to do so. They need your input. I know this because I have given mine through participation in the Early Childhood Coalition.
I have always thought it would be a great thing to have an active childcare provider group in Cook County. Over the years there have been attempts that have come and gone. If you have ideas and concerns, now is the time to get involved. Check out some of the Family Childcare Collaboratives in other communities. There are many ways to work together and still retain your individual program’s unique identity.
This year the Y has focused on training, traveling trunks and filling the critical need for more childcare especially for infants and toddlers. The Y/Cooperation Station collaboration and Early Childhood Coalition need everyone’s input in order to best serve the community and avoid the unintended consequences that some providers pointed out in last week’s article.
The Coalition meets monthly. A childcare provider committee would be welcomed—you could choose the best way for you to get together, and become a part of the solution. Just call the Community Education office for the contact person.
Patty Nordahl
Former Family childcare provider –
Lutsen Barnehagen
and Cooperation Station
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