Next Step in Adequate Child Care: Get More Interested in the Field; HOW ABOUT YOU?

Original coverage by Steve Brandy for Vermilion County First.

Last week we talked about discouraging unemployment numbers, followed by Neuhoff Media’s chat with Vermilion Advantage’s Tim Dudley.  That’s where it was mentioned that a big factor is that more child care is needed; especially for single parents, so they can pursue solid jobs.

Our next conversation on this was with Tammy Pollitt of Birth of Five Illinois. As Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five’s Region 54, Pollitt explained that there are only enough Early Childhood Education and Child Care spots within Region 54 (Vermilion County) for 23% of 5,622 children.

With such a huge gap to close to help get more parents working, where do we turn?  Pollitt says we need to focus on the future, and getting more candidates interested in careers in Child Care and Early Childhood Education.

Pollitt says there are grants and scholarships available, and one great place to look into is Danville Area Community College’s Early Childhood Education Program.

AUDIO: They will help pay for your child care. They will give you books. They will give you a computer,  just to go back to school to get that education. That will help our workforce, and help us get more teachers and more child care providers in our region.

Pollitt says this will all take time to reach the needed number of trained personnel. But the sooner we get more Child Care and Early Childhood Education professionals in the mix, the better.

AUDIO: We’re working together to try to get it done as quickly as possible. It is going to take some time to get people in this field; and to get those positions paid, so that the people who are in these careers, they can actually make a living doing this.

For more information, you can go to birthtofiveil.com, contact DACC’s Early Childhood Education program; or contact Tammy Pollitt at 309-393-2503, or at TPollitt@birthtofiveil.com.

And if you are seeking Child Care or Early Childhood Education for your kids, google Child Care Resource and Referral in Champaign.