Connect for Kids / Child Advocacy 360 / Youth Policy Action Center - Child Care

Choosing Care for a Child with Special Needs

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:00:00 -0500

Finding quality, affordable child care can be difficult for any parent. For those with a special needs child, it can also be a very confusing and emotional experience. Rebecca Freshour looks at what the law says, and what parents need to know to find care for their children.

Breaking the Piggy Bank: Parents and the High Price of Child Care

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:29:23 -0500

Newsflash is it isn't—many families know this too well—but a new national survey finds that child care is expensive. In fact, in 49 states, child care fees for two kids of any age exceed the median cost of rent. Low-wage families with very young children are especially hard hit. The report calls for more federal, state, and local investment in high-quality child care. (The 2006 federal budget has been criticized for failing to provide adequate child care funds for all low-wage workers.)

When it Comes to Child Care, Centers are Safest

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 14:23:46 -0600

While paid child care is very safe overall, centers are much safer than all other forms of child care, according to a new national study from the City University of New York Graduate Center. The fatality rate for children who receive child care in private homes is sixteen times higher than the fatality rate for children in child care centers.

Legislative Report Card on Policies Affecting Kids

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:29:34 -0500

The Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego law school has released its 2005 Children's Legislative Report Card, which describes the year and examines several child-friendly bills in the areas of economic security, nutrition, health and safety, child care, and child protection.

Informal Care Not the Best Option, Study Finds

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:32:06 -0500

Another new study finds that informal care—using family, friends, or other arrangements—was associated with lower cognitive-ability test scores in kids ages 3 to 6. By contrast, formal, center-based child care had no negative impact compared with remaining in mothers' care.

The "Early Child Care Report": The Debate Goes On

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:36:41 -0500

Four years ago, this controversial report offered evidence that children in child care were more aggressive than those whose mothers stay home. An update to the study finds that some of the apparent effects on children's behavior disappear by the third grade, but other socialization problems may remain.

Southeastern Pennsylvania School Age Child Care Project

Tue, 24 May 2005 13:11:53 -0500

The Project's mission is to expand the availability of high quality after school programs in Pennsylvania through the provision of professional development activities for staff and technical assistance for programs, based on best practices and research in the field.

Pennsylvania Home-based Child Care Providers Association

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:25:32 -0600

The mission of the PHCCPA is to support all facets of home-based child care, to educate child care providers, as well as parents and other interested persons and to take an active role in all issues that affect the quality of child care and advocate for children in Pennsylvania.

Mississippi Forum on Children & Families, Inc.

Wed, 08 Jun 2005 10:43:42 -0500

The Mississippi Forum on Children and Families provides community resource development through information, education, and training. The Forum is using education, research, and demonstration in the areas of early childhood education and care, child health, youth development, employment preparation and family support. The Forum has four primary objectives:

Establishment of quality programs
Distribution of information

Finding Financing

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 08:12:07 -0500

This Northwest Finance Circle Toolkit gives child care centers an accounting outline to calculate the true cost of quality budgets. Even if the budget is beyond the reach of what parents can pay, it c

Better Child Care, Preschool and Afterschool Toolkit

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 13:37:17 -0500

Family Initiative's Action Kit has a step-by-step guide and tools to take action and create better quality, more affordable child care choices for families.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future

Sun, 19 Dec 2004 15:17:19 -0600

Talking with your kids when they are young can build the patterns and relationships you can rely on when they're older and confronted with alcohol or smoking. Building Blocks for the Future's newly revised Web site has concrete ideas for how to start a good conversation with a 3-year-old, or news parents can use about the impact of TV and computers on young children's development.

Breastfeeding Public Awareness Campaign

Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:01:44 -0600

"Babies are born to be breastfed" is the slogan for the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' campaign that encourages first-time mothers to breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. The National Women's Health Information Center's free breastfeeding help line is at 1-800-994-WOMAN.

States Putting Preschool High on the Agenda

Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:02:53 -0600

States are seeing quality preschool as a good investment, but the economy has not been kind to funding for state preschool efforts. Recent state funding for preschool dropped or remained flat in 16 out of 19 states where data was available, cutting the numbers of children served and/or money for efforts to improve quality in the programs. Linda Jacobson's brief for the Education Writers Association provides an overview and questions reporters can ask to explore preschool funding and programs in their own states.

Finding a Great Sitter

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 12:27:38 -0600

Summertime means no school. For many families this means they need to find childcare. Health A to Z offers strategies for finding and keeping a good sitter.