KIDS COUNT SAYS WEST VIRGINIANS WANT CHILD CARE SERVICES

(02/21/2008)

West Virginia Kids Count says the availability of quality child care is a critical problem in the Mountain State. Calhoun County has only one licensed child care center, Minnie's Rainbow Day Care at Minnie Hamilton Health System in Grantsville. That program, open to the public, can serve 24 children ages two-to-12. Margie Hale of Kids Count says last summer the organization conducted extensive focus groups and did survey research on child care in WV. They found that parents of young children, childcare providers and community leaders are unanimous in their desire for a way to improve the quality of childcare, and they want state government to take the lead in making it happen. The study says parents are getting early childhood care the best way they can, and high quality care is a luxury they cannot afford. Early childhood providers struggle to have money to meet standards, at a price parents can afford to pay. Without dramatic increases in staff salaries and benefits, many providers struggle to provide care. Kids Count is working to improve the situation in the Mountain State. www.wvkidscountfund.org

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