Note: If you closely follow politics in Minnesota go ahead and skip the next two paragraphs. If not, tune in and I'll explain some of the shenanigans that have been going on in this frozen, god-forsaken state...
In Minnesota's last election, Republicans took control of both the state House and Senate, while the Democratic candidate Mark Dayton was elected Governor - somewhat similar to the US's national government, but with the Republicans controlling the Senate as well as the house. Unlike Obama, Mark Dayton came out with a strong budget proposal that would balance the state's budget with two thirds spending cuts and one third tax increases on the wealthiest 2% of Minnesotans (click here for excellent op-ed by Dayton explaining his position). Republicans rejected this of course, though one would think they had already won with over half of the budget being balanced with spending cuts. The problem with that sentence is the word "think" - there's been altogether too little of that by anyone lately.
Anyway, Dayton and Republican leaders couldn't agree on a budget before the deadline, so the state government has shut down! Governor Mark Dayton named a list of services that are considered "essential" that would continue during the shutdown, and all other state government functions would stop(which begs the question: If something is not "essential" then why do it in the first place? But again, pretty much nothing in this whole mess makes SENSE.) Child care assistance was not on the list of essential services.
Some background is in order on the Childcare Assistance Program, for those who are not in the know. The Minnesota Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program (commonly referred to as CCAP) pays tuition for over 100,000 low-income children in Minnesota. These families rely on the program to pay for childcare so that they can go to work. Without these payments, many families will not be able to afford high-quality childcare (which as I have mentioned here, here and here is extremely important!). They will be forced to either get unlicensed childcare, which is at best less educational and structured than licensed programs, and at worst dangerous and neglectful of children, [Note: See comments for discussion of this sentence] or quit going to work - a terrible choice that no one should have to make.
In addition, family child care providers and childcare centers are both left not knowing what will happen with their CCAP families. Many do not have the cash on hand to withstand a prolonged shutdown, and will have to close if there is not a compromise soon. I personally have worked with providers that have a majority of their children on CCAP, and some childcare centers are almost all CCAP children. Click here for an article from the Saint Cloud times (hat tip to Anna for the link) about what family childcare providers are going through.
There's some hope on the horizon, as Dayton has now asked that childcare be added to the list of essential services, but no one knows what the Judge will rule (link here). The Republicans refuse to raise anymore money from at all from millionaires and billionaires, no matter who is hurt. Sometimes I feel like Will Ferrell in Zoolander:
Cy, I enjoy reading your blog, love your posts, and generally agree with them 100%. While I agree with everything political you say in your article, I have to take a little issue with your generalization that unlicensed childcare is less education, structured, and safe than licensed childcare.
ReplyDeleteGeneralizing childcare providers like this can, in itself, be quite damaging. I am currently doing unlicensed childcare from my home, and was, before the shut down, in the process of becoming licensed. I can absolutely assure you that my curriculum is no less educational or structured than that of many licensed providers, and quite probably more appropriately educational, structured, and healthy. I am educated, experienced, attentive, knowledgeable about all safety standards and nutritional guidelines (and surpass them), and dedicated to providing a nurturing atmosphere. I have been considering choosing NOT to spend the money to become licensed so that I can afford to keep my numbers lower for more individualized attention.
It's also quite important to consider that getting licensed in MN doesn't require any higher education, and doesn't require the provider to offer any educational activities, and is no guarantee that the provider will not put the children in dangerous or neglectful situations. This happens every day, more than anyone wants to know. Being licensed as a home provider in MN requires a provider to have passed a background study (which, of course, is a good thing), record certain safety checks, use a contract, and attend a few hours of classes each year.
When I was looking for childcare for my children, I was really disappointed by the options for licensed providers in my area, and was considering sending them 45 minutes away, before I decided to become a provider myself. Please, instead of generalizing licensed vs. unlicensed, encourage parents to do a lot of research about each individual provider. Visiting a provider, observing day-to-day operations, and asking lots of questions is really the only way to determine good vs. bad providers.
I absolutely agree that the government not continuing to fund CCAP is an enormous problem, and only took issue with that one sentence. I hope you can forgive me for jumping up on my soapbox!
Hey Allison, first of all thanks for reading and taking the time to comment! I'm glad you like this blog.
ReplyDeleteAs to the question of unlicensed care, you are absolutely right, and I should not have generalized that unlicensed care is worse than licensed care. I was focused on the big picture of this post, and didn't think that sentence through. I agree that the best way for parents to determine where to send their kids is to visit and ask questions with different providers and centers, and you're right that there are unlicensed providers that have higher quality care than licensed providers. Like you say, there are no higher education requirements for licensing, and it is no guarantee that kids will be safer.
That said, licensing does guarantee a few good things: a background check (which you mentioned), the provider has training in SIDS, SBS, and CPR, the home has been inspected by the fire department, the provider has a set of policies (including emergency policies), and other things. So I think these guarantees are good to have.
Anyway, I think the larger point stands, which is that thousands of families and kids are being hurt by the lack of Child Care Assistance. More importantly than licensed/unlicensed, I think a lot of kids will just be watching TV at a neighbor's house or staying with someone who does not have any Early Childhood education/experience. They won't be getting the love and care they need to be ready for school.
P.S. I didn't know you were a family childcare provider! How are you managing with the shutdown?