Sharing Web Resources

Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead? The stories of interest were in regards to funding and an article entitled Pre-K Students Unprepared for Kindergarten—Imagine Learning English Helps which indicates that a literacy-rich curriculum assists children in excelling in kindergarten.

If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying.

What new information is available? An article that ranks each states child care centers regulation and oversight. Go to http://www.naccrra.org/ and click on the article entitled We Can do Better: 2011 Update: NACCRRA’s Ranking of State Child Care Center Regulation and Oversight to view your states’ ranking.

Additionally, find out if the site you selected at the beginning of this course offers any information about the issue of this week: In an article on the NACCRRA’s website entitled The Economy’s Impact on Parent’s Choices and Perceptions about Child Care the report revealed that “quality and cost remain the most important factors for parents when choosing child care” (NACCRRA, 2011).  Here again inequities in funding rear its head.

Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education? Allocation of funding continues to be a major issue.

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?  I received an e-mail on this week from the NACCRRA e-newsletter.  On the NACCRRA website Capitol Connections **Breaking News** --

Complicated Federal Budget Situation Continues:

Government Shutdown Likely; How a Shutdown May Affect CCDBG;

Negotiations Continue for Remainder of the Year;

We Need You To Take Action!

“The House of Representatives may vote on the Ryan budget resolution next week.  It is important that House Members hear from you as soon as possible.  Ask them to oppose the Ryan budget resolution which cuts funding for programs helping families with children (like child care and education).  Tell them that you oppose tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. Now is not the time for $700 billion more in tax cuts, which would be paid for by cutting children’s health care, family food assistance, and early childhood programs.” (NACCRRA, 2011).

References

NACCRA, 2011. The economy’s impact on parent’s choices and perceptions about child care. Retrieved April 9, 2011 from http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/economy-impact.php

NACCRA, 2011. We can do better: 2011 update: NACCRRA’s ranking of state child care center regulation and oversight.  Retrieved April 9, 2011 from  http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/publications/states/Virginia.pdf