Recommendation: Children

A. Area of interest

 

Promoting the successful development of children

 

Children from families at 200% of poverty or less will be cared for in environments that provide appropriate developmental activities that result in school readiness.

 

 

The most critical time for a child is between birth and the age of five years old. Many crucial cognitive and physical developments are made during these formative years. A stable support structure is critical in the development of children of all ages. Environmental pressure, influences from school, friends and family all make an impact on the development of a child. Despite this, the parent/primary caregiver is the child’s most significant influence. Research shows that children are more likely to succeed when they live in economically, culturally and educationally enriched environments.

 

With the increase in the percentage of families in which parents work, as well as other contributing factors, children are increasingly left in the care of others. As a result, beginning at infancy, many children are cared for in settings outside of the home. The trend away from married-family households with children and the increase in the number and percentage of families with young children with all parents in the labor force suggest a growing need for childcare that provides appropriate developmental activities. Approximately half of Stark County children are cared for in formal settings outside the home.

 

Locally, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton has made quality child care a priority. The Sisters of Charity have moved to increase the number of quality day care centers, as well as pushed to have centers accredited by the National Association for the Education for Youth Children (NAEYC). Additionally there has been several statewide initiatives including, Step Up to Quality, Build Ohio and the Early Learning Initiative. Quality child care requires age appropriate activities for children.

 

Barriers include, but are not limited to, affordability and availability. Child care availability is an issue. In 2007, there were enough slots available at licensed or certified child care facilities to cover 20% of the infants born in Stark County for that year. Additionally the cost of child care can be very expensive. The cost of providing full-time care for a child can exceed $7,000 annually (compared to the $3,810 tuition costs for a student going full-time at Stark State College of Technology or $4,770 for a full-time student at Kent State Stark). Families ineligible for child care subsidies must find a way to pay for quality early care and education for their children.

 

The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study has found that the benefits of early care and education through preschool can be significant. This study found that of the study group that attended preschool, 65% graduated from high school. This is in contrast to the 35% graduation rate of those who did not attend preschool. The study also found that 21% of those who attended preschool repeated a grade level, whereas 41% of those who did not attend preschool repeated a grade level. The cost-benefit analysis of the study found that for $15,166 per student in initial investment, the public benefit totaled $195,621, which equals a rate of return of $12.90 per dollar invested. Additionally, research shows that the gap in achievement between children entering kindergarten persists throughout their educational experience

 

Existing successful efforts, both locally and statewide, need to be supported and expanded to meet the demand for high quality early care and education.