Monday, November 7, 2011
Quality Programs for All Children
I hope that our Nation will see a need for all children to have quality early care. In my job I see many people who come to do a Head Start intake and they are barely over income. They cannot get into Head Start because they make too much money. The money they make is barely enough to live on but it is too much for Head Start. They struggle to make ends meet to pay daycare so they can work. I also see many people who can afford to put their children in an early care program but they don't because they don't want to spend the money. One of the counties that I service has VPI which is Virginia Preschool Initiative. this program isn't based on income and doesn't cost anything so any child can take advantage of this quality program at no cost. I hope to see public opinion that wants this for all children, not just those in poverty. The change in public opinion will influence early childhood education because they will be interested in and supporting that all children will have access to early care programs regardless of their ability to pay.
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Susann,
ReplyDeleteThe VPI program sounds exactly like what I hopw the entire nation will adopt one day in the future. As advocates we have a degree of power to make this happen nationally. I hope one day soon we will see universal federal or state funded early care for every child in our country... and then the world!
Susann
ReplyDelete"I hope that our Nation will see a need for all children to have quality early care" I totally agree with your statement when it comes to education I think that the "almighty dollar" should not be a determing factor in who gets it. I believe that all children and families should be afforded the same opportunities when it comes to education.
Susann I believe that all children deserve education! When will Early Education be seen the same? Everyone does not believe in early education and it is so important, especially in this day and time.
ReplyDeleteBravo to Virginia! I can only imagine that this does not serve all children but at least it is reaching some families that maynot be able to afford child care. I so agree that quality childcare needs to be available to all children.
ReplyDeleteSusann,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the issues you speak of. My family makes literally $150.00 too much to qualify for program assistance that we REALLY need. That is minimal money these days and barely covers the gas we use to get to and from work in a few weeks. It is not fair that we miss out on certain programs and much needed assistance because of baseline criteria. There should be exceptions to the rule, especially when it comes to Head Start. Perhaps I will make a better advocate since I have experienced these issues than had I never been in this situation at all... best to look on the bright side I guess!