Report to the Board of Regents Presented by Robert M. Capuozzo, Ph.D. June 5, 2009

 The CCTF was charged with the following:  Review how childcare is provided to the University community through Tanaina Child Development Center  How to provide affordable childcare to more UAA students  Whether there should be a role for College of Education faculty and students  How are the childcare needs of current students, staff and faculty are being met  How to provide grants and/or scholarships to single parents and others in need

 Current provider on UAA campus  A 501(c)3 organization established in 1979  Provides childcare to young children (18 months to 6 years) of University students, faculty, and staff  Capacity of 60 children  A robust waiting list

 Two issues at work : affordability and capacity  Currently TCDC rates are close to the upper end of all childcare in Anchorage and are arguably NOT affordable for students  Childcare fund provides tuition assistance to students in need  TCDC has a waiting list and could easily serve young children BUT the current space does not allow for this

 To address issues of affordability and capacity the Task Force has inquired with other major employers and childcare providers in Anchorage:  BP (BP Early Learning Center)  Southcentral Foundation (Bright Horizons)  Alaska Pacific University (currently no childcare)  Providence Medical Center (Center for Child Development)

 The COE does have a role in childcare at UAA  The COE and Tanaina CDC have an informal partnership  Early Childhood Education (ECE) Faculty provide professional development for the teachers at Tanaina CDC  Practicum students enrolled in ECE courses observe and implement lessons at Tanaina  Teachers at Tanaina are encouraged to enroll in an ECE program

 3 faculty members (2 T&TT, 1 term)  Represent multiple state and municipal boards  4 options within program  Early Childhood Certificate  Associate of Applied Sciences degree  Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education  Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Only  Student Credit Hours Generated  1,355 (2009), a 13.6% change from 2008  Enrollment  456 (2009), a 15.4% change from 2008

 Qualified early childhood educators are an emerging need for the state of Alaska  The Early Childhood program at UAA is preparing educators to work in elementary schools, publicly funded preschool programs, Head Start centers, and community based centers. 