Nurse-Family Partnership’s Post

More important reporting from the Minneapolis Star Tribune this morning on Minnesota's troubled childcare sector. The U.S. early childhood education and childcare system is a clear example of market failure that desperately needs public policy solutions. Until we press our government to step up and fix this situation, childcare shortages and unaffordability will continue to harm the wellbeing and economic security of kids and working parents, and pose a drag on our economy. https://lnkd.in/gGPnUJ8Y

Good government starts with identifying important challenges that are not being met. (My usual tax administration community - bear with me as this is way outside my usual subject matter.) Those of you who are of my generation fondly remember childhood trips to our grandparents' homes. The visits were part of growing up and small-town routines. Here is something that is notable for today. My grandparents' parents and/or their uncles/aunts were almost always part of these visits. It was normal 60 years ago to have frequent interaction with not only our grandparents but their parents, our great-grandparents. Most of our families have lost this intergenerational connection outside of brief holiday moments. In most cases, our oldest citizens and younger children rarely get to connect and engage socially. Sitting with each other in the same room and sharing games or household tasks together just isn't part of what we do anymore. This is a notable social 'gap' and a potential nexus for several policy problems. How do we address them? We need more social engagement with those in elder care. Childcare needs creative activities and new locations to meet the needs of a generation whose parents and caregivers are (all) in the workforce. Could pairing child care with eldercare and engagement be a policy solution? This initiative is very hopeful on a policy-level and heart-warming. It makes sense to me as I remember my time with Great Grandma Frey. It is a noble and thoughtfully constructed pilot effort. #PublicAdministration #GovernmentInnovation #ElderCare #ChildCare

I believe that targeting a specific investor group for childcare expansion may not be the most effective approach. There are multiple avenues available for expanding affordable childcare, including models that have worked well in countries like Germany. Is it fair to limit expansion to small business ownership only? This could potentially limit the efficiencies and innovation that could come from scaling up. Instead, let's explore other options like PPP models and incentivizing good providers to invest in order to receive government funding. #childcare #affordablechildcare #publicprivatepartnerships #innovation #scalingup #earlyyears #education #earlyyearseducation #nurseries #preschools #privateequity #venturecapital https://lnkd.in/dgrxer53

This is a great article that covers the current landscape of childcare in Northeast Wisconsin, including the perspectives of our assembly and seniors in our state. Please take a look. https://lnkd.in/gnG4JXmc

YAYY! 🙌 Have a read of our article, new provider in focus piece on The Sector website and discover the QCCS difference. #QCCS #ChildcareProvider #QLD

It was great to attend the Department for Education Southeast Early Education and Childcare Expansion Provider Roadshow on Thursday. Why so good? The Deputy Director for the Early Years and Childcare Expansion shared the DfE’s, ‘You said, we did,’ slides. On the day, the DfE lived this out by listening to feedback during the day and pivoting the schedule and timetable to create a Wraparound Care specific roundtable for discussion. He also included Wraparound Care in his introduction. Thank you! What could be better? What’s my ask of the government? I believe the Wraparound Care sector needs to stand on its’ on own feet, rather than always being hidden within the umbrella of Early Years or off to the side. Here’s my suggested starting points in order of ease: 1) Plan to create a Wraparound Care specific round table discussion space at the next event, rather than reacting on the day. Do this at all childcare and Early Years event. 2) Ensure the Minster for Early Education actually mentions Wraparound Care in their speeches and introductions. It was forgotten. It creates a tone. 3) Engage the variety of PVI’s and settings that actually provide Wraparound Care including those where it is a secondary delivery model. Whether we like it or not, they are a sizable part of the sector and are not being engaged. Engagement with DfE has been offered but not taken up. 4) Continue to create Wraparound Care specific events like last academic year. 5) Add the words 'Wraparound Care' to the title of 'Minister for Early Education,' who has Wraparound Care in their portfolio. It would highlight the sector. 6) Ensure all Wraparound Care settings have the same inspection regime, regardless of regulatory position. The DfE does not want to differentiate in outcomes but there are different regulatory spaces in the sector that vary. #WraparoundCare #Childcare #Dfe #DepartmentforEducation #expansion #ChildcareExpansion #Minsister #government

Kudos to Massachusetts!! "Survey data from fall 2023 — around the time that providers in other states began to feel the strain of stabilization funds disappearing — shows that the early care and education field in Massachusetts has rebounded. The licensed capacity of the state’s system now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, with around 237,000 child care slots total today, compared with 229,000 before COVID-19. The number of licensed providers, too, has recovered." #earlychildhood #childcare #earlychildhoodeducator https://lnkd.in/eU_DzR3g

What about existing and long suffering staff and nursery owner-operators that are struggling. The priority should be the #fundingformula and then the rest will take care of itself rather than short-term headline gimmicks like this!! #nurseries #taxfreechildcare #parents #freechildcare #earlyyears #families https://lnkd.in/eyzMFvyz

Agree with Jordan Tully on the fact that "Why?" is the question we should all be asking about the disheartening decline in the percentage of men working in early years education. Despite efforts to raise awareness, the number has dropped from 3% to 2%. So, why is this happening, and what can we do to change it? For me, the answer is clear, and I will never get tired of saying it: nurseries are not putting practical efforts into supporting men in these roles beyond marketing. We need policy changes, male-only recruitment campaigns, mentoring programmes aimed at retention, and so much more. The real question is, are nurseries ready to invest in these necessary activities? Or will they continue to say "We support men in Early Years" without following up on any practical strategies?