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Why should we invest in early care and education in Estes Park?

The Research :

85 % of a person’s intellectual, emotional and cognitive ability is developed by age 5..

The first few years are foundational. Children are born learning! Children are born learning! Infants’ brains are twice as active as adults. Infants’ brains are twice as active as adults. Early learning experiences hardwire the brain for future learning. Early learning experiences hardwire the brain for future learning. Building brains is like building houses: Building brains is like building houses: Architecture matters; stress weakens brain architecture Architecture matters; stress weakens brain architecture

Early Learning & School Success Teachers report that 1/3 of children entering K & Grade 1 are unprepared to learn. Teachers report that 1/3 of children entering K & Grade 1 are unprepared to learn. 46% of America’s kindergarteners are behind 46% of America’s kindergarteners are behind

The achievement gap starts BEFORE school does……… yet, 95% of our public investment in education happens after age 5.

Children from low wage families are 1-2 years behind in language and pre-literacy skills. Children from low wage families are 1-2 years behind in language and pre-literacy skills. At EP Elementary School: At EP Elementary School: One-third of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. One-third of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 24% of the students are English Language Learners 24% of the students are English Language Learners

Early Years Matter Children who receive quality care and education in the early years experience: ~ greater success in school ~ higher graduation rates ~ higher earning potential, AND ~ are more likely to become contributing members of the community

Do communities benefit economically from quality early childhood care and education?

YES! An investment in the early years costs communities less down the road in crime, delinquency, welfare and remedial education.

Other economic benefits: Parents can pursue employment Parents can pursue employment Workplace morale and retention are improved; absences decreased Workplace morale and retention are improved; absences decreased Childcare businesses create jobs, pay taxes, buy goods and services, and meet a community need Childcare businesses create jobs, pay taxes, buy goods and services, and meet a community need

The Federal Reserve reports that investing in early care and education generates a 16% return.

“The ROI from early childhood development is extraordinary… …resulting in better working schools, more educated workers and less crime” ~ Arthur J. Rolnick Federal Reserve Bank

What we know about families:

Top considerations for families when moving to an area are: * Quality education * Availability of human and community services

Parents are a child’s first and best teacher, but many undervalue their role in school readiness: Parents are a child’s first and best teacher, but many undervalue their role in school readiness: ~ don’t know what to do to promote early learning ~ don’t think they have time to do what it takes

~ TRENDS ~ Young families have moved from our community in recent years, as evidenced by declining school enrollment.

Parents and young families need support!

What we know about childcare:

It’s expensive for families It’s expensive for families Quality is important to parents Quality is important to parents It’s not a lucrative business It’s not a lucrative business It’s an essential community service It’s an essential community service

What we know about childcare and early childhood education in Estes Park:

4 Childcare Centers serving children ages 1 – 6 5 Licensed Home Providers Serving children birth to school age 2 part-day only Preschool programs serving 3 & 4 year olds 1 Licensed after-school care program

Capacity & Availability Currently, options are limited for infants, toddlers and school-age children.

Challenges for Providers Cost Cost Families want flexibility Families want flexibility Undervalued Undervalued Securing space, meeting building codes, licensing, health regs., etc. Securing space, meeting building codes, licensing, health regs., etc. Staffing Staffing Seasonal fluctuations Seasonal fluctuations

Cost of Providing Care Average pay for preschool teacher is $9/hour, with no benefits. Must meet increasingly strict educational and experience requirements. On average, personnel costs account for % of a center’s income.

Average cost of care in Estes Park: Full-time weekly fees Center care: under 2:$ 175 Boulder:$ :$ 150$ 201 Home care: under 2:$ 145$ :$ 134$ 207

An Estes Park family with 2 young children in full-time care pays up to $ a month for child care. An Estes Park family with 2 young children in full-time care pays up to $ a month for child care. That’s $15,600 a year That’s $15,600 a year That’s $7,800 for one child That’s $7,800 for one child ~ That’s more than annual in-state tuition costs for a student at our colleges and universities in Colorado.

A single parent working full-time at $9/hr. in Estes Park spends everything he/she makes on childcare. But…….what about assistance?

CCAP ~ assistance to low income families. What does this mean in real life? A single parent, with one child, making just $11/hr. would not qualify. Two working parents, with 2 children, making $31K together, would not qualify.

EVICS Scholarship Program: Helps families in the “gap”, but is limited and is currently only available for short term assistance. ~ $12K budget for 2007 ~ Since June 2006, EVICS has granted $15,700 in child care scholarships to 36 qualifying families.

Families’ Concerns

In talking with, and surveying, Estes Park parents, we found ~ The biggest concerns for most parents are: warmth & caring of provider quality of program cost of care availability of care consistency of care finding care for under 2-year olds lack of after-school care bilingual teacher or caregiver

Task Force Recommendations

1 - Increase care options and accessibility: Increase infant care Increase infant care Explore options for after-school care Explore options for after-school care Remove barriers for families and providers Remove barriers for families and providers

2 - Coordinate a community-wide public education campaign to increase awareness : Why?How?

3 - The creation of a Family Resource Center Provide support, information and resources to families, childcare providers and preschools. Provide support, information and resources to families, childcare providers and preschools. Form partnerships to grow financial resources and establish steady funding. Form partnerships to grow financial resources and establish steady funding. Provider recruitment and training, parent education, public education/awareness Provider recruitment and training, parent education, public education/awareness

How? Partnerships are critical to success! Financial resources Financial resources Shared resources Shared resources In-kind support In-kind support Strengthen services Strengthen services Maximize resources Maximize resources

Who are the partners? EVICS EVICS Town of Estes Park Town of Estes Park School District School District Early Childhood Council Early Childhood Council EPMC & Medical Comm. EPMC & Medical Comm. Library Library Senior Center Senior Center Private Business Private Business Service Agencies Service Agencies Churches Churches Crossroads Crossroads Salud Salud Recreation District Recreation District Board of Realtors Board of Realtors Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce YMCA YMCA Non-profit Resource Center Non-profit Resource Center

How can our partnerships respond to the accumulated research findings about the importance of the early years?

How can our partnerships respond to the everyday realities of the needs of today’s children and families?