Final Blog

I learned a lot of information regarding early childhood.  1).  There are similar challenges regarding early childhood that are being faced in other countries in the early childhood field, just to name one would be the allocation of funds.  2) It was awesome to subscribe to an online newsletter of an early childhood organization.  In subscribing to the newsletter I was able to keep abreast of upcoming policies regarding the early childhood field and also invite others to share their views with their policymakers in regards to certain policies.  3) My desire to be an advocate for young children is greater after the interaction with my peers during the course learning from their international contacts and the study of different issues and trends throughout this course.

One of my goals is to continue to seek additional international contacts to continue my advocacy of young children and seeking answers in bettering programs.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

Two of my professional goals are to gain a wealth of knowledge as it relates to the early childhood profession and to serve as a advocate for young children.

In viewing the UNESCO website in regards to quality in the field of early childhood care we must focus on the development of the child holistically versus preparation for schooling.  The site also addresses the importance of family and community involvement.  Resources remain one of the issues that are lacking when it comes to expansion of quality in the field.  Governance of the program will only be successful with the different sectors, national, local, public and private, working together as a unit.

References

UNESCO, (2011).  Education. Retrieved April 16, 2011 from  http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/quality/

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

Getting to Know International Contacts

I have not heard back from my international contact, but here is the information that I gained from the Center on the Developing Child website and the audio from this week. I learned about the initiative established by the world’s government to “end poverty and hunger, ensure that every child worldwide completed at least a primary education and reduce child mortality by two-thirds by 2015” (Center on the Developing Child, 2010).  The initiatives are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
 

Dr. Shonkoff at the “World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Wealth of Nations” September 27-29, 2010 speaks to the importance of brain science in child development and the unhealthy effects of early-life adversity have ramifications both on long-term health of the individuals and society” (Center on the Developing Child, 2010).

In addition to the information gained from the Center on the Developing Child website I enjoyed the audio from Vasquez on the Excellence and equity of care on education on this week. As she discussed Standards, School Readiness, Achievement Gaps and Assessment Challenges.

References

Walden University (2011). Excellence and equity of care and education. Retrieved March 30, 2011 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4895003&Survey=1&47=7787673&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Center on the Developing Child Harvard University (2010). Global gathering in Moscow put spotlight on early childhood issues.  Retrieved April 2, 2011 from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/topics/global_child_development/moscow-conference/

SHARING WEB RESOURCES

The information from the article “Mobilizing Science to Revitalize Early Childhood Policy” is relevant to my current professional development.  In the article “President Barack Obama has called fro a greater investment in the healthy development of the nation’s youngest children” (Shonkoff, 2009).  This seems to be so relevant because the article discusses limiting funding and finding away to allocate funds appropriately.  The article also urges us to think about the facts that have already been proven through research.  There are benefits to early childhood development.  “Documented benefits include higher rates of high-school graduation and increased adult incomes, as well as lower rates of special education referral, welfare dependence, and incarceration” (Shonkoff, 2009).

An article on that NACCRRA website entitled “The Current Economy’s Impact on Child Care.”   The article discusses how the current economy has affected child care.  It states that “the most recent data shows that over 14.5 million Americans are out of work” (NACCRRA, 2011).  Whenever employment rates are low parents are forced to rely on subsidy to provide care for their children while they either seek employment, return to school or “they are taking their children out of organized child care and making due with whatever arrangement they can find” (NACCRRA, 2011).

VERY INSIGHTFUL – “Some  metro-east business leaders believe and support the adage that children are the future and teaching them well – and early – will help lead the away toward economic recovery” (Buss, 2011).   We concur that children really are our future but education is key in determining how successful that future will be.

References

Buss, W. (2011).  Local business leaders say early learning program are key to economic recovery.  Retrieved March 26, 2011 from http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/25/1644174/early-learning-key-to-business.html

NACCRRA (2011).  The current economy’s impact on child care.  Retrieved March 26, 2011 from http://www.naccrra.org/policy/economy/

Shonkoff, J. P. (2009). Mobilizing science to revitalize early childhood policy. Issues in Science & Technology, 26(1), 79–85. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ProQuest Central database. 

N ACCRRA (National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies)

The web link for the organization is http://www.naccrra.org/.  NACCRRA’s vision is: “A nation that supports the development and learning of all children” (NACCRRA, 2011).  The mission of the organization is: “To promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community Child Care Resource & Referral” (NACCRRA, 2011).

CURRENT/ISSUE:

The House of Representatives approved legislations (H.R.1) to cut federal programs by over $60 billion for current fiscal year which means that child care funding will be cut.  NACCRRA is urging parents to contact their local Senator and vote ‘NO.’

SHARING:

There was nothing on the website or newsletter this week that related to the topic on this week.  However, what I found to be interested was  NACCRRA conducted a study in which they ranked states, including the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense on 10 regulations and 5 oversight benchmarks.  This information was based on State Licensing Regulations.  The results: average score was 83 out of 150 points – the equivalent of an F.  Where does your state rank?  Go to http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/we-can-do-better-2009-update and click on to the link Child Care Center Combined Scores for Oversight and Regulations – Alphabetical listing of states.

Resources

Naccrra, 2011.  Public policy.  Retrieved March 13, 2011 from http://capwiz.com/naccrra/issues/alert/?alertid=22381536

Naccrra, 2011. We can do better:2009 update. Naccrra ranking of state child care center regulation and oversight. Retrieved  March 13, 2011 from http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/we-can-do-better-2009-update

EXPANDING RESOURCES

My choice to use the NACCRRA - National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies website to explore.  The website was very inviting, user-friendly and overall seemed to have information that would peak my entrance in regards to Public Policy and Advocacy.

I also signed up to receive weekly newsletters to include: "Capital Connection: (A weekly newsletter of the latest legislative action happening in Congress); State Connection: (A weekly newsletter, soon to begin, summarizing pending legislation affecting child care in the states); and Parent Central Newsletter (a monthly newsletter of helpful resources for parents and news that parents can use in promoting healthy child development)" (National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, 2011).

Resources
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (2011).  Retrieved March 5, 2011 from http://capwiz.com/naccrra/mlm/signup/