ENSURING CHILDREN IN SMALL CHILDCARE SETTINGS

ARE SAFE AND READY FOR KINDERGARTEN

Roadmap to Success

What Is a Small Childcare Setting?

A Small Childcare (SCC) Setting is:

A Small BusinessPaid Care and

Education ServicesFor Non-Related

ChildrenFor 6 Children or

FewerOften (but not always)

in the provider’s home

Family Child Care HomeImplies…

Small Childcare Setting

Family- mostly serving children who are related to the provider

Family- care is primarily a favor rather than operating as a business

Home- that care is always provided in a residence and can be confusing since it has multiple meanings in statute

Small- the maximum capacity is significantly smaller than Child Care Centers

Childcare- paid care for children in a setting outside their own homes

Setting- includes residences and other settings that house these businesses

Why Not Call It Family Child Care?

IN LOUISIANA, SCCS DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER, HAVE INSPECTIONS,

HAVE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, OR MEET ANY HEALTH OR

SAFETY STANDARDS.

CRAWFISHING HAS HIGHER STANDARDS.

Why Regulate SCCs?

Minimum Standards for SCCs Ensure Protection

Parents rely on the state to ensure basic health and safety for their children.

Most child deaths and injuries in child care settings happen in facilities that lack consistent standards and oversight.

In the absence of an effective licensing process, parents face the nearly impossible task of assessing danger on their own. Few parents are prepared to conduct a comprehensive criminal background check, look for fire hazards, or inspect food safety.

Louisiana Parents…Louisiana Parents who choose SCCs…

Value the chance to choose the setting that best meets their child’s needs

Are often unaware that not all child care settings must meet minimum standards

Are unable to participate in the SRTC

Cannot take advantage of Quality Start

Are less protected because they choose (or must choose) a smaller setting

Regulating SCCs Supports Parent Choice

Kindergarten Readiness“Only half of Louisiana’s children enter kindergarten ready to learn. We can change this if we have high standards for our earliest learners, clear information for parents, and support for teachers.”

-John White, Louisiana Department of Education Superintendent

About 59% of the children in SCCs are 0-3, and will soon enter the PreK/K landscape

The first three years (birth-3) is a key period of development for language, social, emotional, and numeracy skills critical for school success

Most regulation for SCCs across the country includes standards that improve educational outcomes.

IF EACH SCC CURRENTLY SERVES 6 OR FEWER CHILDREN, IT

SHOULDN’T HAVE MUCH IMPACT… RIGHT?

How Many Are We Talking About?

8, 288

40,000There are likely more.

Because Louisiana Law does not require SCCs to be regulated, the total is

unknown.

Known ProvidersServing

Children

Known Small Childcare Settings

1. Louisiana has no mandatory regulations for SCCs.

2. SCCs outnumber all other childcare settings and currently serve more than 40,000 children.

3. Parents have many reasons to choose SCCs.4. SCCs are businesses that help Louisiana thrive.5. Louisiana is lagging behind other states in

safety and accountability for this setting.6. Improving the quality of SCCs would benefit the

state in the long term.

Coalition Participants

In 2012, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Success By 6 Collaborative convened a broad group of advocates and concerned citizens interested in improving the quality of what is currently known as family child care in Louisiana. The goal of the resulting coalition is to improve oversight and support for providers across the state so that all of Louisiana’s children in paid child care settings enter kindergarten ready to learn. Following is a list of organizations that have helped guide the coalition’s conversations.

Coalition Participants

Agenda for Children Child Care Association of Louisiana

(CCAL) Children's Coalition of Northeast

Louisiana Children's Defense Fund Coaxum Enterprises Dillard University Education Consultant Education's Next Horizon Entergy The First Three Years Forelle Consulting Group K&K Providers Key Community Volunteers Kids Count Data Center Kingsley House (Child Care Center) Louisiana Association of United Ways

Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families

New Orleans Outreach NSU Child and Family Network OAJ Enterprises OPEN Orleans Parish Health Department Partnership for Youth Development Picard Center Royal Castle Child Development Center

(Child Care Center) Seamless Transitions SSG Consulting Services United Way of Southeast Louisiana

(UWSELA) Volunteers of America Partnerships in

Childcare Whitney Bank Women’s Leadership Council (WLC)