WeVision EarlyEd

Quality in the child care sector is complicated. Expectations shift depending on which government agency is paying for services and the type of building services are provided in. To make matters worse, quality expectations are higher than what practitioners receive to implement them. Some are calling for more regulations while others are calling for deregulation. Dig deeper into how we are doing too much but not enough about quality, and what we can do to begin to address this conundrum: https://lnkd.in/gXweqiEv

It was an honor to host the Future of Family Child Care Roundtable at the 34th Annual Conference for The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), with the support of our amazing facilitation team School Readiness Consulting, where more than 100 family child care professionals packed the room, ready to shape the future. With evidence of future trends in their hands, they discussed and shared perspectives on pressing issues as they relate to the big three — child care quality, affordability and accessibility. It was exciting to hear from so many family child care professionals who are ready to lean in and inform policy decisions that impact their practice and the wellbeing of the children they support. #NAFCCTHRIVE24

While increased public investments in the child care sector are essential, we are deepening our understanding of untapped funding sources. And, as we strive to reimagine child care, a core mindset shift highlighted in WeVision EarlyEd is rethinking what child care costs and how to pay for it. On day 3 at National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) PLI, our VP of Early Childhood, Marica Cox Mitchell, expanded on this core mindset shift alongside Gretchen Preston, CEO of Gretchen's House (operating since 1985), and Rhian Allvin, CEO of Brynmor Early Education & Preschool (operating since 2023). Gretchen and Rhian shared insights into their dynamic business models for investing in the child care sector while centering both, quality early learning and educator wellbeing. As we continue to reimagine child care to make the ideal real, we must be unapologetic about the true cost of running quality and accessible early learning programs.

Ever notice how public funding for child care is only available during extreme circumstances and for certain families? It’s time to change that mindset. Our latest blog dives into that issue, highlighting the need for public funding for child care that supports all families, not just a select few. We need to let go of outdated mindsets that put conditions on who should be able to access what type of child care and under what circumstances. Instead we need to shift towards viewing child care as not just a reactive intervention, but a proactive investment in each child and community. Check out our blog to learn four ways to shift our advocacy messages to get closer to what families want in a reimagined child care system. https://lnkd.in/evgipnrQ

Ever wonder what work schedule would be ideal for early childhood educators to deliver quality services? (Hint: it’s time away from children.) Check out our latest blog to learn more about how they define their ideal work schedule.  #WeVisionEarlyEd #MakingTheIdealReal #childcare https://lnkd.in/ed5ZWrJz

Are you ready for the ideal child care system? Check out our latest blog as we explore the fundamental questions that we need to address about access, costs, and quality. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/eTF_5MAb #WeVisionEarlyEd #MakingTheIdealReal #childcare

We know the current child care system is deeply flawed but WeVision EarlyEd is about reimagining the future. Here is what families, educators, and child care administrators our “proximity experts” want to see.

Child Care Aware of America CEO Susan Gale Perry connected with Carol Brunson Day at an event hosted by the Bainum Family Foundation. This week, 50 national #earlyed influencers gathered to celebrate, connect, and explore futuristic solutions to begin making the ideal #childcare system real. This event was inspired by the WeVision EarlyEd initiative.

In the words of the futurist Trista Harris, “Once you have a clear view of the future, the present is no longer comfortable.” We’re honored to be able to spend the past two days with 50 national early policy influencers having the crucial conversations needed to reimagine child care and make the ideal real. Thank you to our speakers and facilitators for helping us see like WeVisionaries, think like futurists, and act like systems thinkers.

It's been an incredible year since the launch of WeVision EarlyEd in 2022. This initiative provides the time and space for “proximity experts,” early childhood professionals and families closest to the child care system, to reimagine child care and make the ideal real.  We’ve collected additional data and insights from around the country using a traveling WeVision EarlyEd conference exhibit as well as virtual and in-person sessions.  Check out our latest blog to read about some of what we have learned thus far along with our next steps as we begin to explore solutions: https://lnkd.in/eq-7Vcfr #MakingTheIdealReal #WeVisionEarlyEd