Providers & Families Share their Experiences during the Pandemic

By Douglas McAllister on May 06, 2021

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the child care system in the United States was already fragile and underfunded. The U.S. spends less than 0.5% of GDP on child care, which is far lower than the majority of developed countries.

In addition, children of color and children from low-income families are less likely to be enrolled in high-quality child care programs. Child care staff are undervalued and underpaid, and female caregivers, especially women of color, bear the brunt of formal and informal care.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Family & Community Engagement, Family Stories, Health & Safety

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Practical Steps to Prepare for and Respond to Child Care Disruptions

By Jennifer Drake on April 29, 2021

Disruptions to the child care industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic have created financial hardships and other challenges for child care providers. Child care programs that were closed may re-open only to close again due to outbreaks of the virus in their program, an uptick in community spread, staff shortages or simply because their business models are no longer sustainable. Meanwhile, for many parents, it can be difficult to find alternative child care arrangements. And for employers, disruptions to child care impact their abilities to have employees that are consistently present to meet work requirements and commitments.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Professional Development, Health & Safety

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Child Care is Essential: Celebrating Provider Appreciation Day® May 7

By Kandi Novak on April 13, 2021

 

Celebrate child care professionals on May 7! Join Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) in saying thank you to providers for taking care of our nation’s children. To say that being a child care provider this past year has been challenging would be an understatement. Providers were essential long before COVID-19, but the pandemic has underscored how essential child care is. Child care provides opportunities for families to go to work, children to learn, businesses to operate and the economy to grow. Child care providers are “opportunity makers.” Child care providers are brain-builders. They are among our nation’s unsung heroes!

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Family & Community Engagement, Brain Building Tips

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COVID-19: CCR&R Successes During Unprecedented Times

By Julie Looper Coats on April 07, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic inundated the child care system, Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) received helpful funds from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to support and provide relief to Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) member organizations across the country. In the summer and fall of 2020, CCAoA used the funds to provide CCR&Rs with resources to meet pressing needs within their communities.  

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Systems Building, Professional Development, Health & Safety, emergency preparedness

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Child Care Staff and the COVID-19 Vaccine

By Falen Petros on April 05, 2021

With millions of COVID-19 cases nationwide, child care providers have had to maneuver and innovate in extraordinary ways to address health and safety concerns while still experiencing reduced income or program closures. Imagine the day child care professionals can gather with staff to care for children and support families without the concern of contracting COVID-19. That day is coming, but only if we act now to stop the spread of COVID-19 so we may keep ourselves, our families, our communities and our country safe.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Health & Safety

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6 Ways Child Care Providers Support Families Returning to Child Care

By Courtney Penn on April 01, 2021

COVID-19 has sent many of us on a winding road of change and unprecedented challenges. As we now have three vaccines for the virus and the number of cases is starting to go down, many communities are starting to open up and return to a more “Pre-COVID-19” life. For many families, this means children returning to child care after having been away from the setting for a year or even longer.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Parenting, Health & Safety

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