Early childhood educators in Emporia spoke to legislature members and candidates to get the message across that early childhood educators are setting a road map for children’s future and are setting the stage for their education.
As a part of the Kansas Coalition for School Readiness’ “Ready for School Week,” Republican Sen. Jim Barnett, Republican Rep. Don Hill, and Carol Strickland, Democratic candidate for the 76th District House seat, gathered at Emporia Child Care Center III on Monday morning to take a tour of the center and learn about issues important to the field of early childhood education.
Kitty Frank, Democratic challenger for Barnett’s 17th District Senate seat, and Republican 76th District Rep. Peggy Mast gathered at Center II. Deb Crowl, administrator of Emporia Child Care, spoke about the importance of funding for early childhood programs.
The goal of the Ready for School Week is to educate leaders on issues such as opportunity and accountability, return on investment, brain development, building on success, and improving academic incomes in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Standing outside speaking to Crowl and Emporia Child Care Center Board of Directors Chair Lisa Kirmer, Strickland asked about the infant and toddler center’s waiting list. The waiting list for infants and toddlers is very long, often with dozens of children on it.
“If there is a waiting list then we need to expand,” Strickland said.
Strickland added that affordable and accessible early childhood education not only benefits the child but the parents as well. In some cases, it allows the parents to go back to school. It also provides the children with a road map for their education.
“These children will not be high school dropouts,” Stickland said. “Good education is important, this is what these children are learning.”
Parents, in turn, will be able to make more money and that will circulate back into the economy because they are able to get out and go to work and get an education, Strickland said.
Hill said the investment into early childhood is a solid one.
“There isn’t anything that has more potential on dollars we spend than early childhood,” he said.
Hill said there are some solid advocates supporting early childhood education but the revenue flow is uncertain. The agriculture economy, however, is doing well, Hill said.
Chris Irwin, vice-president for community investment for the United Way of Greater Topeka, also came to the center Monday. She said private and public groups need to work together and become part of the funding solution for early childhood education.
Kirmer agreed.
“It’s a constant balancing act to struggle to make it all work,” Kirmer said, adding that the industry needs to keep up with salaries and try to find a way to give teachers raises without putting the burden on the parents.
Crowl said the goal is to have early childhood education available to every child.
“Every child should have the opportunity to go to an early childhood program — not just if parents can afford it,” she said.
Part of that goal is showing leaders, community members and other possible funding sources what early childhood education is about.
“We need to show (them) what a quality program is,” she said.
Stickland agreed.
“(You’re) not baby sitters,” she said. “You’re educators. These are the formative years.”
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Posted by kseyetie (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good story; good program. Early education should not be required, but there are lots of reasons why most parents, regardless of income or skill level as a parent, would want to get their child involved.
Posted by Pollyanna (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know if I would be opposed to making it required. It's apparent in public schools in kindergarten and beyond who was involved in early education and who was not. Those who opted to not attend any preschool or have any academic skill development slow down the rest of the class.
Posted by 4Jayhawks (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I always thought Emporia Child Care was a day care center basically but it sounds like it is more of a preschool. Maybe they should consider changing their name to reflect that.
The school district has a preschool program at Maynard but it also has a "waiting list". It is pretty much impossible to get into once school starts. The school district should expand this program so all parents who want to enroll their child can be included. The "No Child Left Behind" shouldn't start at kindergarten. Now days a child who does not attend at least a 4 year old program starts kindergarten behind.
Posted by emporia4life (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a mom of two children that will be old enough to go to the preschool next year. I have been told that one child will defiantly be able to go because of their exceptionality. The other child they will have to see if that child will qualify to be a “typical” peer. I have been told from outside sources that not many typical peers are chosen. Do preschoolers need good peer role models? I know how important it is to have many levels in a classroom. How can we limit who is entitled to get preschool? Just because there will not be extra funding because a child is lacking an exceptionality, is that a reason to exclude them? I am a firm believer in early childhood education. I just wish the system in Emporia was more fair to all children. I can tell you that a normal child without preschool will be behind their peers in kindergarten that have received preschool.
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