Beech Tree News Network

For Kelsey Lee of Morgantown, locking in quality child care was such a priority that she put her name on a top local provider’s waiting list while she was pregnant. More than five years later, she said that decision has helped her son be more than ready to thrive in kindergarten next year and in the school years ahead.

“He knows how to write his first and last name, and he can recognize every letter,” Lee said of her son, Walker. “He knows what letter everybody’s name in the family starts with — I can put down a letter and he knows who it goes with.”

Kelsey credits certified child care provider Lisa Lee (no relation to Kelsey) with instilling basic academic skills, interesting conversation, and strong social habits for the six children who buzz around the center created in Lee’s converted basement and sprawling backyard.

Kentucky officials are working to expand the ranks of providers like Lisa Lee, who opted for extra training to boost the learning experiences she can provide youngsters she cares for in her home. Across Kentucky, the need to increase access to quality child care is deep.

The state’s goal is to increase the ranks of certified family child care providers — adults who care for 10 or fewer children in a home setting — to assure child safety, build students’ school readiness, and raise the professionalism of providers to see themselves as accomplished small business owners.

State officials and early care advocates are promoting the benefits of becoming certified among small-scale child care providers currently operating outside of state regulations. They also aim to make more families and parents aware of the benefits of seeking providers certified or licensed by the state.

“Because of limited awareness of what certified family child care is, these providers are a hidden gem in a lot of communities,” said Jessica Cain, program coordinator for Expanding High Quality Family Child Care in Kentucky through the state’s Division of Child Care. “If parents knew what to look for, this could be utilized a lot more.”

Currently in Kentucky, child care is often delivered by unregulated providers — typically family members, neighbors, or friends watching a few children in their homes. Adults caring for young children whose families receive child care assistance are expected to be registered as early childhood professionals. Becoming “registered” requires basic criminal background checks and an inspection to assure safety and health conditions.

The next step for providers — moving from registered status to becoming certified or licensed — permits home-based care for larger numbers of children while also offering providers coaching in quality learning experiences, awareness of school readiness skills, and resources that can range from access to federal food programs to ways to sharpen organizational and business skills.

Increasing the skills of local, small-scale child care providers is a practical strategy for increasing the quality of early childhood learning and school readiness in Kentucky, proponents of family child care programs say. They point to providers who opted to become certified or licensed to show how the steps connect with improved results for providers and children alike.

Lisa Lee of Morgantown, who serves six children from her home at the end of quiet country road, said the state assistance for certified providers marked a big step forward for her ability and what she can help children accomplish. She first got involved in child care as a picky young mother looking for a strong preschool experience for her young son.

“I couldn’t find a daycare that suited me. I knew what I wanted for my child and couldn’t find it,” she explained. Over time, and working through the certified family child care program, she has increased her own knowledge to the point where she can track the development of the two-year-olds who start in her home as become five-year-old learners eager to keep learning at home and ready to thrive at school.

Because of limited awareness of what certified family child care is, these providers are a hidden gem in a lot of communities.— Jessica Cain, program coordinator for Expanding High Quality Family Child Care in Kentucky

“We focus on how they get involved in group play — that’s how we all learn,” Lee said. “I want every child who leaves here to be someone who enjoys learning and believes there is nothing they can’t learn. I find what they are interested in and tap into that.” A typical day at her center may provide time for playing instruments, marching, painting, working with measuring cups in the sandbox, telling stories, learning new words, or trying to find answers to others’ questions.

“Kentucky has the best resources — we get so much help,” Lee added, pointing to collaboration with state early childhood program staff as a major force in building the reputation of her center, Lee’s Family Childcare.

Story and photo by Lonnie Harp

Credit : Prichard Committee