Guest Opinion by Beth Oppenheimer | Idaho Statesman
Can’t find child care in Boise area? Rates are up, centers are closing. What to know
Rachel Spacek | Idaho Statesman
Early Education Advocates and Partners Gather for Early Learning Day at the Capitol
On Wednesday, February 23, early education organizations from across the state gathered in the Idaho Statehouse for Early Learning Day, an event organized by the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), to share the work being done to enhance early childhood education within their communities.
Idaho's children and their families deserve real leadership from our legislators
By Beth Oppenheimer | Opinion on Idaho Statesman
Treasure Valley parents struggling to secure child care amid daycare staffing shortages
Struggling to find affordable child care? You're not alone.
Finding and securing child care in the Treasure Valley is a lot easier said than done. Many parents are on year-long waitlists, in part, due to staffing shortages.
Read the entire article on KIVI Channel 6.
Federal Aid is Propping Up Child Care. It Isn't a Long Term Fix.
By Sophie Quinton | Updated January 12, 2022 | Stateline Pew Trusts
Photo: Elaine Thompson | Associated Press
Federal COVID-19 relief dollars for child care providers will continue to flow through the states this year, cheered by both Republican and Democratic governors who say parents need affordable child care to get back to work.
Boise explores changes to childcare worker licensing to relieve worker shortage
By Margaret Carmel - BoiseDev Sr Reporter
Boise is hoping to bring a little relief to the struggling childcare industry.
This fall, the city council gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to a series of three proposals to relieve some of the regulatory hoops childcare workers have jump through to get licensed in city limits. These suggestions were proposed by a childcare task force made up of local business leaders, childcare providers and industry experts convened by Mayor Lauren McLean earlier this year.
Lee Pesky Learning Center Receives Funding to Continue Early Childhood Programming
Read the entire article on the Idaho Press.
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) recently received support in the amount of $600,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to increase high quality childcare through training and coaching early childcare providers using research-based best practices to support whole child development.
Idaho child care shortage straining not only families, but businesses
Image courtesy of Mary Altaffer / Associated Press
Listen to the interview on Idaho Matters.
Child care resources across our state have been shrinking—which has led to fewer options for working families. And many childhood experts say we are now at a point of crisis in Idaho.