I received this e-mail from the NAFCC - you'll note the link at the bottom to contact the White House, if anyone is interested.
Please join the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) in applauding President Obama for the aggressive legislative agenda that he proposed during the State of the Union speech on February 12, 2013.
"In States that make it a priority to educate our youngest children...
studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own. We know this works. So let's do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind."
President Barack Obama
State of the Union, February 12, 2013
President Obama called on Congress to expand high-quality preschool for all children.
His proposal includes the following:
Cost sharing partnership with states to expand preschool to all low and moderate income four year olds who reside in families at or below 200% of poverty. He envisions expansion of publicly funded preschool programs for four year olds and expansion of Head Start for three year olds.
NAFCC supports the expansion of publicly funded preschool for four year olds and Head Start for three year olds and believes that accredited family child care providers should play an integral part in this expansion through contracting and partnerships.
States would be required to meet quality benchmarks that are linked to better outcomes for children, which include: state-level standards for early learning; qualified teachers for all preschool classrooms; and a plan to implement comprehensive data and assessment systems.
NAFCC Accreditation is recognized as the highest indicator that a family child care program is a quality environment. In states where Quality Rating Systems have been implemented, NAFCC Accreditation is often the "top" level in the rating system.
Preschool programs across the states would meet common and consistent standards for quality across all programs, including: well-trained teachers, who are paid comparably to K-12 staff; small class sizes and low adult to child ratios; a rigorous curriculum; comprehensive health and related services; and effective evaluation and review of programs.
The President will also launch a new Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program.
NAFCC believes that accredited family child care homes are the most natural setting for our nation's youngest children. The low child adult ratio, home-like setting, and consistent care giver enable children to build trusting relationships that open up their curiosity to learning about themselves and their environment. Family child care partnerships with Early Head Start grantees are the perfect fit for children and providers. Through these partnerships, providers continue to develop their knowledge of young children through professional development, mentoring and coaching, and on-going evaluation and review.
NAFCC encourages members to reach out and share your ideas with President Obama and Congress to make sure family child care is central to this historic expansion in early care and education.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/su...s-and-comments