>> MORE THAN HALF OF ALL MOTHERS IN AMERICA RETURN WK THIN A YEAR OF THE BTH OF THEIR BABIES.

IT'S A FACT OF LIFE FOR FAMILIES TODAY THAT TH PARENTS NEED TO BRING IN MONEY.

SO AT SOME TIME OR OTHER MOST CHILDREN ARE CAD FOR BY A NONFAMI MEMBER OUTSIDE OF THE HOME.

CHILD-CARE PRODERS THEN OFTEN PLAY AS CRITICAL A ROLE AS PARENTS IN A CHILD'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT.

INDEED, RESEARCHELLS US THAT THE FIRST THR YEARS OF LIFE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WE ONCE THOUGHT.

>> WE USED TO THINK THE BABY SLEPT AND ATE AND AS LONG AS WE PTHEM WARM AND WITH CLEAN DIAPERS THAT WAS ALL, BUT WHAT WE KNOW NOW IS THAT THEY'RE LEARNING VERY, VERY QUICKLY AT A VERY YOUNG AGE.

>> CHILDREN BY THE TIME THEY'RE THREE HAVE LEARNED ABT HA OF WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW IN THEIR ENTIREIVES.

>> TO ENSURE THE BEST QUALITY OF CARE FOR CHILDREN, RENT-CHILD CENTERS IN VERMONT ARE TRYING TO INCREASE PARENTS' AWARENESS OF WHAT QUALITY CARE IS.

HOW CAN PARENTS PROVIDE IT IN THEIR HOMES?

HOW CAN THEY RECOGNIZE IT IN CHILD-CARE FACITIES?

HERE IN MONTPELIER THE WASHINGTON COUNTY PARENT-CHILD CENTER HOLDS FREE MORNING PLAY GROUPS ONCE A WEEK.

AS MANY AS 50 TO 100 PEOPLE TURN UP REGULARLY.

>> THEY HAVE NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

WE ADVERTISE THEM WIDELY SO THAT PARENTS MAY SEE A POSTER DOWNTN AT THE SUPERMARKET OR AT THE COUNTRY ORE, AND IT REALLY GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO KNOW WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AY GROUPS ARE THE GAWAY TO OTHER SERVIS AT PARENTS MAY DESIRE BUT NOT KNOW HOW TO FIND.

BETWEEN 25% AND 30% OF THE FOLKS WHO COME TO PLAY GROUPS END UP ACCESSG OTHER SERVIC THROUGH THE PARENT-CHILD CENTER OR THROUGH OTHER COMMUNITY AGENES, AND WE THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE BEING A RENT IS THE HARDEST JOB THERE IS IN THE WORLD AND MOST OFTEN YOU D'T GET TRAINING BEFORE YOU START THIS JOB.

>> AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS MOM ANYME WHO SPENDS MOST TIME LOOKING AFTER THE KIDS.

>> I TAKE CARE OF MY TWO KIDS.

I STAY HOME WITH THEM, AND THAT WHY I COME HERE, JUST TO T THEM OUT OF THEOUSE.

>> I WORK ON SECOND SHIFT, CAPITAL CITY PRESS, SO THAT GIVES ME THE DAY AND ENJOY TAKING THEM HERE.

>> IT'S KIND OF THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

IT'S THE BEST OF DAY CARE BECAUSE IT'S LOTS OF STIMULATION AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AND KIDS AND ALSO I CAN BE THERE.

>> PLAY GROUPS LIKE THIS ARE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TOXCHANGE IDEAS, TO SHARE PROBLEMS AND TO GET ADVICE FROM CHILD-CARE PROFESSIONALS.

>> CHILDREN DON'T COME WITH A LITTLE OWNER'S MANUAL.

THERE'S NOT A GUIDE TO IT, AND SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO BRAINSTM TOGETHER.

YOU JUST NEED TO THROW AROU SOME IDEAS.

>> I FIND A LOT OF TIMES PARENTS ALREADY HAVE THE ANSWERS, THEY JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS OKAY.

WE HE CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS D, SO WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN SETTI UP THE SPE SO THAT WE'LL BE READY FOR WHOEVER COMES THROH THE DOOR.

>> WHILE THE KIDS THINK THAT 'S JUST FUN AND PLAY AND THE PARENTS MAY EVEN THINK THAT IT'S JUST FUN AND PLAY, WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE THINGS TT CHILDREN ARE DOING ARE FORMING THE FOUNDATION SO THAT THEY WILL BE SUCCESSL LEARNERS.

(SINGING) >> THERE ARE 16 PARENT-CHILD CENTERS THROUGHOUT VERMONT WHERE FALIES CAN FIND SUPPORT LIKEHIS.

THESE CENTERS ALSO PROVIDE A REARCH AND REFERRAL SERVICE TO PARENTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR DAY CARE.

EVERY FAMILY HAS DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

COST, PERSONAL PREFERENCES, LOCATION AND WORK SCHEDULES ALL AFFECT THE CHOICES PEOPLE MAKE.

>> WHEN I'M LOOKING FOR DAY CARE I'M LOOKING FOR AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S STIMULATING AND THAT'SAFE WITH A CONSISTENCY OF CARE.

>> MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN.

>> FLEXIBILITY WOULD PROBABLY BE THE MOST NUMBER ONE.

>> SOMEONE LOCAL SO WE DON'T HA TO TAKE HIM IN THE CAR.

SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE TOO MANY CHILDREN TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> PARENTS SHOULD BEWARE OF SETTLING FOR THE SIEST OPTION.

TO BECOME GOOD CONSUMERS DAY CARE, THEY NEED TO DO THEIR HOMERKNDHOP AROUND.

THE RESEARCH AND REFERRAL SERVE CAN SUPPLY PENTS WITH A LIST OF REGULAT CHILD-CARE FACILITIES.

MOST ARE HE BASED, BUT ERE ARE ABT 400 LARGER DAY-CE ERS IN VERNT.

TODAY DENISE AND BUCK BUCHANIN ARE VISITING TURTLE ISLAND DAY-CARE CENTER IN MONTPELIER.

DENISE IS EXPECTING THEIR RST CHILD, SOHEY WANT TO COMPARE WHAT'SVAILAB BEFORE MAKING UP THEIR THEY AGREED TO LET US TAG ONG.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEKED OUT DAY CARE BEFORE AND I'M NOT SURE WHETHER I WOULD GET MO PROFESSIONAL CARE WITH A BIGGER FACILITY OR WOULD I PREFER TO HAVE MORE PERSONAL CARE WITH SOMEBODY IN THEIR HOME.

I NARROWED IT DOWN TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO I HAD TALKED TO AND I MADE APPOINTMENTS WITH THEM.

AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY ON THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM.

ONE WAS A PERSON IN HER HOME D ANOTR WAS ONE OF THESE BIGGER FACILITIES.

>> I'M PAM.

'S NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> FIRST IMPRESSIONS, WHETHER THEY BE ON THE PHONE OR IN PERSON, ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND ALSO I LIKE TO TRUST MY INTUITION.

>> BESIDES YOURSELF, WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO GET IN HERE?

CAN ANY PERSON JUST OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL JUST WALK UP AND SAY, HEY, I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF DS?

>> WE DO NOT SAY PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE EARLY EDUCATION DEGREES.

WE LOVE IT WHEN THEY DO, BUT EVERYBODY BRINGS DIFFERENT SKILLS HERE.

BUT WE DO SEEK PEOPLE OUT THAT ARE AS QUALIFIED AS POSSIBLE.

>> YEAH, WELL, IF EVERYBODY NEEDED A COLLEGE DEGREE, IT WOULD COST A FORTUNE TO SEND THE KID HERE, BELIEVE ME.

>> IT WOULD, YEAH.

>> IT DOES.

>> THE PRICE OF DAY CARE RANGES FROM $50 TO $150 A WEEK.

TURTLE ISLAND COSTS AROUND $125 FOR AN INFANT.

IT'S A POPULAR CHOE IN MONTPELIER WITH A GOOD REPUTATION, BUT WHILE COST IS A BIG CONSIDERATION, DENISE AND BUCK WANT TO BE SURE THEY MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR THEIR BABY.

SO WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE AGE THE CHILD, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT TYPE OF CARE THEY'RE LOING FOR, WHETHER THEY WANT A VERY HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT OR WHETHER THEY WANT A CENTER-BASED PROGRAM.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO KNOW THE TRAINING OF THE PERSON WHO IS DOING THE CARE, THE EXPERIENCE AND THE QUALITY OF THE INTERACTION THAT SHE OR HE HAS WITH CHILDREN, AS WELL AS WHAT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES TYPICALLY ARE HAPPENING DURING THE DAY.

THE RATIO OF ADULTS TO CHILDREN IS ALSO FOUND TO BE VERY MUCH CONNECTED TO POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN.

>> EVEHILD IN THIS RM WHEN THEY'RE STILL A TDLER AND THEY'RE STILL NOT POTTY TRAINED, HAS A SHEET THAT IS DO ON A DAILY BASIS THAT YOU CAN TAKE HOME WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO FEEL THAT THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS.

THEY'RE NOT INTRUSIVE, THEY'RE NOT OUT OF BOUNDS, THEY REALLY ARE PART OF THE PARENTS' JOB IN TERMS OF FINDING OUT WHAT IS GOING BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR CHILD CA FOR THEIR PARTICUL CHILD.

>> SO THIS IS THE GYM, AND TURTLE ISLAND IS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS SPACE.

KIDS LOVE TO COME DOWN HERE.

IT'S AN EXCITING PLACE TO COME BECAUSE IT TAKES THEM OUT OF THEIR ROOM.

SO NEXT WE'LL GO OVER TO THE CAVE WHICH IS OUR KINDERGARTEN ROOM.

>> THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE OF RIGHT UP FRONT.

FOR EXAMPLE, RIGID RULES ABOUT WHEN PARENTS CAN SHOW UP AND PICK UP THEIR KIDS.

ANYTHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE A RED FLAG FOR ME.

AND ALSO CLEANLINESS OF THE FACILITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I'M THE PERFECT UNEDUCATED CONSUMER.

WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR US TO GO SHOPPING AROUND, I HAD TO RELY ON OPRAH, AND DONAHUE AND 20/20.

>> DO YOU USE TIME OUT OR WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A CHILD'S BEHAVIOR?

>> WE WILL USE TIME OUT AS KIND OF A LAST RESORT.

OF COURSE, WE DON'T DO ANY KIND OF HITTING.

THERE'S NONE OF THIS GO TO THE CORNER.

WE WORK TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> BESIDES A DAY-CARE CENTER, WE WENT WITH DENISE AND BUCK TO A HOME DAY CARE RUN BY DAW LAFRANCE.

DAWNA HAS BEEN AEGISTERED HOME-CARE PROVIDER FOR 13 YEARS.

THEY FEEL IT IMPORTANT FOR BOTH OF THEM TO MEET HER.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT PERSON.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I SHOULD GO, TOO, BECAUSE THAT'S MY CHILD TO BEGIN WITH, AND WE'RE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND WE PERCEIVE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> SHE LOOKS FOR THINGS THAT I DON'T AND I LOOK FOR THINGS THAT SHE DOESN'T.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> SO WITH BOTH SETS OF EYES AND EARS I THINK THAT TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A SOUND DECISION.

>> THIS IS OUR TOY ROOM IN HERE.

THE KIDS PLAY IN HERE AND KEEP THEIR TOYS IN HERE.

>> WOW, IT'S NE.

>> WE PICK IT UP AND WE BRING THE BIG MATS IN HERE THAT YOU SAW IN THE SLEEPING ROOM FOR THE OLDER CHILDREN.

AND WE TRY TO TRAIN THEM TO KEEP EVERYTHING IN THIS ROOM.

>> AND WITH THESE KIND OF TOYS, DO YOU EVER HAVE TO WASH THEM AND STUFF BECAUSE THEY PUT THEM IN THEIR MOUTH?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> PARENTS SHOULD ASK MANY OF THE SAME QUESTIONS OF HOME-CARE PROVIDERS OF PROVIDERS IN A DAY-CARE CENTER.

ONE DIFFERENCE IS THAT A HOME-CARE PROVIDER IS LESS LIKELY TO HAVE MUCH FORMAL TRAINING, SO IT'S IMPOANT TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE SHE'S HAD.

>> HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN DOING CARE?

WHAT TRAINING HAS SHE PARTICIPATED IN?

DOES THE CHILD-CARE PROVIDER KE CHILDREN OUTSIDE EVERY DAY?

IS THERE A SAFE OUOOR PLAY SPACE FOR THE CHILDREN TO USE?

ALL THOSE QUESTIONS ARE IMPORTANT ONES BECAUSE CHILDREN OFTEN SPEND SIX, EIGHT, SOMETIMES TEN HOURS A DAY IN THIS CHILD-CARE ENVIRONNT, WAY MORE THAN THEY MAY BE SPENDING ACTUALLY AT THEIR OWN HOME WITH THEIR PARENTS.

>> DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO INFANT C.P.R.?

>> YES.

>> YOU DO.

>> WE HAVE TO BE REQUAFIED EVERY YEAR TO BE IN DAY CARE.

>> DAWNA IS LOOKING AFTER FOUR PRESCHOOL KIDS AND ONE INFANT FULL TIME, BUT SHE CAN TAKE ONE MORE INFANT UNDER STATE REGULATIONS.

SHE WORKS OUT CHEAPER THAN TURTLE ISLAND, AT AROUND $70 PER WEEK PER CHILD.

SO DO DENISE AND BUCK HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION YET TOAKE A DECION?

>> THE IN-HOME DAY CARE WAS QUITE NICE, AND IT WAS LIKE GOING TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WHEN EVERYBODY WAS THERE.

>> I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHEN MY CHILD CRIES, THEY PICK UP MY CHILD AND HOLD THEM, AND FEED THEM AND DO THE THIN THAT I WOULD BE DOING IF I WAS HOME.

>> THE LARGER DAY-CARE CILITY, THE EDUCATIONAL FACTOR THERE WOULD BE VERY ADVANTAGEOUS.

IF I HAD A THREE OR FOUR YEAR OLD, I WOULD PROBABLY LEAN TORD THAT FOR THE INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN, FOR THE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS THAT WERE REALLY CHALLENGING BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT ROOMS AND SO MANY PLAY PLACES.

AND THERE'S A GYMNASIUM AND THEN THERE'S THE OUTDOOR PLAY PLACES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> I CAN TELL YOU MY KID AIN'T WEARING NOTHING LIKE THAT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> PARENTS EXPTING A NEW BABY MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENT DECISION FROM PARENTS WITH AN OLDER CHILD.

THE NEEDS OF INFANTS AREN'T THE SAME AS THOSE OF TODDLEROR OF CHILDR NEAR SCHOOL AGE.

SO, IDEALLY, PARENTSHOULD CHOOSEOMEONE W CAN ADAPT TO A CHILD'S CHANGING NEEDS, AND THAT'S WHERE TRAINING IS A BIG ADVANTAGE.

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY THERE ARE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR DAY-CA PROVIDERS TO GET FURTHER TRAINING.

IT'S PART OF AN FORT TO COORDINATE EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES FOR 12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HERE IN ENOSBURG WE SITED ONE OF THREE LABORATORY PRESCHOOLS WHE'S AN AERNATIVE TO THE USUAL WORKSHOPS OR COURSES.

>> THERE ISN'THE KIND OF TEACHER-TO-TEACHER OPPORTUNITIES AND THE OPPORTUNY TO TALK ABOUT W YS OF INSTRUCTION.

I LIKE TO THINK THAT THE LABORATORY PRESCHOOL PROJECT FILLS THE GAP.

>> SUE RILEY HAS ONLY BEEN A REGISTERED HOME-CARE PROVIDER FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW.

THIS IS ONE OF HER FIRST OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH OTHER DAY-CARE PROFESSIONALS.

THE LAB PRESCHL IS OPEN TO ANY CHILD-CARE PROVIDER, BUT IT'S ESPECIALLY USEFUL FOR THE WHO WORK AT HOME ON THEIR OWN.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE SIX HOURS OF TRAINING PER YEAR.

AS FAR AS EARLY EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, I DON'T HAVE ANY.

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY IN A PRESCHOOL.

I THINK IT WILL HELP ME WORK BETTER WITH THE KIDS.

I HAVE SIX KIDS DURING THE DAY, I HAVE TWO THAT COME HOME AFTER KINDERGARTEN.

AND THEN I HAVE SOME THAT LEAVE, AND I HAVE FOUR THAT COME AT 3:00.

THE FIRST CHILD ARRIVES AT 6:45 IN THE MORNING AND THE LAST ONE LEAVES AT 5:45 IN THE AFTERNOON.

>> IT'S A LONG DAY, AND R MOST HOME CARE GIVERS THE JOB IS FAIRLY ISOLATED.

>> THERE'S CERTAINLY AN ISOLATION ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OPERATING BY THEMSELVES IN A RURAL AREA WITHOUT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO WO WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

THERE'S A CERTAIN LEVEL OF STIMULATION AND GROWTH THAT COMES OUT OF JUST BEING ABLE TO TALK TO OTHER ADULTS WHO HAVE THE SAME INTERESTS THAT YOU DO.

WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS CREATE THE BEST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT WE COULD FOR YOUNG KIDS BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HOW CHILDREN LEARN, AND THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE ALLOW CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS TO COME IN, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, RECOGNIZE SOME THINGS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TORY AND TO HELP THEM DO THAT.

>> ONE THING THAT REALLY INTERESTED ME WAS THE WAR TABLE, AND I HAVE GOTTEN ONE SINCE FOR MY DAY CE.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO WITH A WATER TABLE.

YOU CAN PUT SAND IN IT, YOU CAN PUT RICE, BEANS, ANYTHING.

AND THE KIDS JUST LOVE IT.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT THEY DO THAT I REALLY LIKED IS THEY MOVED THEIR STION AROUND SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS E SAME WEEK AFTER WEEK.

THERE'S NOT ASANY ACVITIES IN A HOME DAY CARE, BUT I FEEL THAT THEY GET MORE ATTENTION.

"COWS DON'T SURF," MARTHA SAID.

"I KNOW, I KNOW," ROB SAID.

"NO MOON, NO MILK."

"NO MOOOON, NO MILK," MARTHA CONFIRMED.

MY GOAL AT THE PRESCHOOL WAS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR READING PROGRAM.

THEY ACT OUT THE STORIES, AND I WAS REALLY INTERESTED IN THAT.

I THINK THAT KEEPS KIDS REALLY INTERESTED IN BOOKS.

THE FIRST PIG BUILT HIMSELF A COZY STRAW HOUSE.

BEFORE LONG A WOLF KNOCKED AT THE DOOR.

>> Children: KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

>> Children: LITTLE PIGS, LITTLE PIGS, LET US COME .

>> Children: NOTY THE HAIR OF MY CHINNY CHIN CHIN.

>> IT'S KIND OF HARD TO EP THEM INTERESTED IN WHATEVER YOU'RE DOI WITH THEM.

AND I THINK I'VE LEARNED A LOT AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

>> WITH THE SUPPORT OF T STAFF AT THE PRESCHOOL, SUE HAS PICKED UP IDEAS FOR HOW TO MAKE STORY TIME MORE ACTIVE BY USING PROPS AND ALLOWING KIDS TO ROLE PLAY.

>> IF I HADN'T COME HERE, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN THOUGHT OF LETTING THE KIDS DO THAT ONLY BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN EDUCATED IN THAT AREA.

>> YOU MEAN AS FAR AS THE WHOLE PRESCHOOL AND CHOOSING ACTIVITIES OR AS FAR AS SPECIFICALLY THE STORY?

>> WELL, THE STORY IN PARTICULAR.

>> DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY PROGRAMS IS NOT A ONE-SHOT OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO INCORPORATE INTO THE LAB PRESCHOOL ARE CONTRACTS OR AGREEMENTS WITH CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS THAT REQUIRE A MORE LONG-TERM COMMITMENT SO THAT THEY WOULD COME BACK SEVERAL TIMES, AT A MINIMUM, MAYBE OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

>> I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT HOW PARENTS WERE GOING TO FL THAT I HADN'T HAD ANY EARLY EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, BUT IT'S WORKED OUT REAL GOOD FOR ME.

(SINGING) >> FOR THE PARENTS OF THE KIDS SUE LOOKS AFTER, IT'S RATNSHIPS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> THE FIRST THING I LOOK FOR IS THEIR PERSONALITY AND HOW THEY DEAL WITH CHILDREN.

SUSIE'S GREAT.

>> WHAT SUE LEARNS AT THE PRESCHOOL PARENTS SEE AS A REAL BONUS.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PARENTS THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO PRESCHOOL OR PRESCHOOL IS ONLY FROM 9 TO 11 AND IF YOU'RE WORKING, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

>> HI.

DID YOU HAVE A NICE DAY?

>> I STAYED HOME FOR TWO YEARS AND REALIZED HOW HARD IT IS TO FILL THE DAY WITH GOOD THINGS.

I, ALSO, AS AN EDUCATOR, REALIZE THAT THE TIME BEFORE SCHOOL IS A MEANINGFUL TIME.

>> I HAD A REALLY GREAT EXPERIENCE IN ENOSBURG, AND I'D LIKE TO DO IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> WE DON'T PROACH IT AS THOUGH WE HAVE THE ANSWER ABOUT WHAT QUALITY CHILD CARE IS, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT COLLECTIVELY WE CAN RAISE THE LEVEL OF QUALITY FOR EVERYBODY BY DOING IT IN PARTNERSHIP.

>> THE BETTER THE TRAINING WE GIVE TO CARE GIVERS, THE BETTER THE QUALITY CARE WE'LL GET FOR KIDS.

ONE PROBLEM THOUGH IS THAT THERE'S A VERY HIGH TURNOVER OF PEOPLE DOING THIS WORK.

>> IN VERMONT, ABOUT 26% OF THE TEACHERS IN CHILD-CARE CENTERS AND BETWEEN 35% AND 45% OF THE FAMILY CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS LEAVE THEIR JOBS EVERY YEAR.

>> THEY ARE VERY UNDERPAID.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE HAVE HIGH TURNOVER WHICH DOES NOT HELP THE CHILDREN IN ANY WAY BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN IN TERMS OF QUALITY IS THE CONTINUITY OF CARE AND THE RELATIONSHIPS.

>> IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU WERE WORKING WITH ANOTHER PERSON AND EVERY SIX MONTHS THAT PERSON CHANGED, YOU WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME MAINTAINING A POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP AS AN ADULT.

PUT YOURSELF IN THE PLACE OF A CHI.

IT'S VERY DIFFULT FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE LOVING AND CONNECTING RELATIONSHIPS IF THEY ARE CONSTANTLY FACED WITH THOSE KINDS OF DISRUPTIONS.

SO THE FACT THAT THERE IS HIGH TURNOVER, MUCH HIGHER THAN IN ANY OTHER HELPING OR TEACHING PROFESSION, HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN.

>> FINDING MONEY TO INCREASE WAGES FOR CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS AND TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES IS A DAUNTING CHALLENGE IN THESE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES.

IT WOULD MEAN FAMILIES PAYING MORE OR GOVERNMENT INCREASING ITS SUBSIDY.

AS IT IS, COMMUNITIES ARE HARD PRESSED AND NEED TO RAISE FUNDS FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

>> WE HAVE RIGHT NOW T DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES.

LOCAL, WE GET $50,000 FR THE TOWN OF BRATTBORO EVERY YEAR, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNDG THAT WE CEIVE BECAUSE IT'S THE SEED FUNDING, THE BASE FUNDING, THE MATCH FUNDING FOR EVERYTHING ELSE; STATE FUNDING; FEDERAL FUING AND PRIVATE FOUNDAON FUNDING; AND WE NEED IT ALL, AND WE NEED TO KEEP JUGGLING IT BECAUSE WE LOSE ONE GRANT AND THEN WE HAVE TO PICK UP ANOTHER.

>> HERE IN BRATTLEBORO THE PANT-CHILD CENTER WON THE PANT-CHILD CENTER WON A FEDERAL GRANT TO PROVIDE AN URGENTLY NEEDED EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>> OUR TEAS, AND OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORSND PARENTS WERE BECOMING VERY CONCERNED THAT WE HAD SO MANY CHILDREN COMING IN TO SCHOOL WHO REALLY WERE NOT SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY OR COGNITIVELY READY FOR SCHOOL.

SO WE DECIDED WEANTED TO FOCUS A LITTLE EARLIER.

>> CHILDREN OF LOW INCOME PARES E AT HH RISK IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT, AND IN BRATTLEBORO 19% OF FAMILIES LIVE IN POVERTY.

THE PROGRAM CALLED EARLY HEAD START FOCUSES N JUST ON THE KIDS BUT ON THE WHOLE FAMILY.

>> THE GOALS OF EARLY HEAD START ARE TO HELP CHILDREN GROW AND DEVELOP STARTING FROM A VERY EARLY AGE AND AT T SAME TIME TO HELP THEIR FAMILIES BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

IF THE PROBLEM IN THE FAMILY HAS TO DO WITH ECONOMICS, AND THAT'SHAT THE FAMILY WANTS TO WORK ON, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

IF IT HAS TO DO WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON.

IF THE FAMILY NEEDS TO GO CK TO SCHOOL, A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY AND GET MORE EDUCATION, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE WORK ON.

AND THE GOAL IS TO HELP THE FAMILY DEFINE WHAT THEIR DREAMS ARE, WHAT THEIR HOPES ARE, WHERE THEY WANT GO AND HELP THEMET THE.

>> 50% OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN BRATTLEBORO HAVE SINGLE MOMS AND MANY GET PREGNANT IN THEIR TEENS, LIKE MELISSA SCHERLIN.

SHE JOINED THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM BEFORE THE BIRTH OF HER CHILD, CRYSTAL.

CRYSTAL GOES TO PRESCHOOL IN THE MNING, THEN MELISSA TAKES CARE OF CRYSTAL AND HER SECOND CHILD, CODY, UNTIL SHE GOES TO WORK ATIGHT.

>> I GOT PREGNANT WITH MY DAUGHTER WHEN I WAS 15.

AND I HAD AN APARTMENT WITH MY BOYFRIEND AT THE TIME, AND WE DIDN'T GET ALONG.

AND THEN FAMILY SUPPORT HELPED ME GET OUT OF THAT SITUATION AND HELPED ME GET AN APARTMENT.

THEYELPED ME GET MY LIFE TOGETHER AND THEY HELPED ME GET A JOB.

>> AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, THE FAMILY GETS WEEKLYOME VISI.

IT'S HELPED MELISSA WITH PARENTING SKILLS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GU UP TO?

HAVING A SNACK?

>>EFORE I WAS A LOUSY PARENT AND I DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO DO MUCH WITH CRYSTAL.

NOW I PLAY WITH HER.

>>HERE'S A NEW SENSE OF PATIENCE ABOUT HER AND A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING, AND I THINK THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE DEVELOPMENTAL SUES OF THE KIDS.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY CAN DO AT WHAT AGE HAS HELPED HER A LOT.

>> THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE A SNAKE.

WHAT LETTER LOS LIKE A SNAKE?

A LOT OF THE PARENTI ILLS THAT I'VE ADDRESSED WITH MELISSA ARE IN THE EXPECTATION AREA.

ONE BIG ISSUE FOR MELISSA HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET CRYSTAL TO PARTICIPATE IN PICKING UP HER ROOM.

>> I'M DOING IT THE WAY I WANT.

>> THAT'S A GOOD GIRL.

>> MELISSA BEGAN WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT CRYSTAL SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLEAN HER ENTIRE ROOM.

IT TOOK A WHILE FOR ME TO CONVINCE MELISSA THAT'S REALLY NOT AN APPROPRIATE EXPECTATION; TH NO MATTER HOW HARD SHE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SHE COULDN'T.

IT'S TOO OVERWHELMING FOR HER AGE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S REAL EASY TO BRING UP KIDS, AND A LOT OF TEENAGERS GET PREGNANT THINKING IT'S REAL EASY, BUT IT'S NOT.

IT'S REAL HARD.

>> CAROL HELPS MELISSA WITH ADVE AND WITH ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS THAT A APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR AGES.

SHE DOES REGULAR SCREENINGS TO CHECK IF CRYSTAL AND CODY ARE DEVELOPING ALONG A NORMAL COURSE.

>> NO TWO CHILDREN DEVELOP EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THE SAME TIME, BUT THERE'S AN APPROXIMATE TIME LINE THAT WE USE.

>> MELISSA, SOMETHING YOU CAN DO WITH CODY RIGHT NOW IS HE'S LEARNING CAUSE AND EFFECT, SO IF YOU STACK BLOCKS UP AND EN SHOW HIM HOW TO KNOCK THEM DOWN.

.

.

CODY IS AT A WONDERFUL AGE RIGHT NOW.

PART OF THE THING WE'VE BEE WORKING ON WITH HIM IS PICKING THINGS UP, HANDLING THINGS BACK AND FORTH FROM ONE HAND TO ANOTHER.

I THINK THE MOST WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THE TIME THAT SHE'S BEEN IN THE PROGRAM IS SHE'S BEGINNING TO BE FORWARD THINKING.

SHE'S PLANNG MORE ABOUT DOWN THE ROAD.

SHE ISN'T LIVING FROM DAY TO DAY.

E'S THINKING ABOUT WHAT SHE WANTS SIX MONTHS FROM NOW OR A YEAR FROM NOW HOW SHE SEES HERSELF.

THAT'SNOTHER PART OF MELISSA'S GROWTH.

MELISSA HAS IN THE LAST YEA REALLY BEGAN TO BE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE PARENT ACTIVITIES.

IT GETS HER OUT WITH OTHER MOMS HER OWN AGE.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR SHE'S BEEN INVOLVED WITH FAMILY TIMES, AND I THINK SHE'S ENJOYING IT.

>> FAMILY TIMES IS A PARENTING WORKSHOP THAT'S OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES IN BRATTLEBORO.

THEY DISCUSS ANYTHING FROM POTTY TRAINING TO FANTASY PLAY.

>> THEY PLAY TOGETHER THE GAMES.

ONE'S E MOTHER; ONE'S THE BY.

ONE'S THE DOG; ONE'S THE MASTER.

>> FANTASYLAY, OR PRETEND PLAY OR IMAGINATIVE PLAY, THOSE ARE ALL RELY DIFFERT NAMES FOR WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> YOU LEARN THAT YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT'S HAVING PROBLEMS.

THEN THEY TELL YOU WAYS THAT YOU CAN DEAL WITH YOUR KIDS.

>> SHOWING PARENTS THAT THEY ARE REALLY THE CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHERS AND THAT ALL THE EXPERIENCES THAT THEY CAN SHARE WITH THOSE KIDS BEFORE THEY GET TO SCHOOL ARE WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE CHILDREN GOOD LEARNERS WHEN THEY GET TO SCHOOL.

>> CRYSTAL IS NEARLY READY TOO TO KDERGARTEN NOW, SOELSAILL SO LOSE THE SUPPORT SHE'S EN GEING, BUT TO HELP WITH THE TRANSITI TO SCHOOL THERE'S YET ANOTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICE IN BRATTLEBORO.

IT'S THREE-WEEK INTRODUCTI TO SCHOOL CALLED S.C.A.M.P.

>> IT'S DESIGNED TO BE A KINDERGARTEN-LIKE EXPERIENCE TO INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO THE ROUTINES OF A KINDERGARTEN DAY, THE LANGUAGE OF A SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

WE OFTEN FORGET THAT GOING TO SCHOOL IS TREMENDOUSLY DEMANDING EMOTIONALLY, SOCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY ON CHILDREN.

>> SCHOOLS FIND THAT WHAT KIDS NEED MOST WHEN THEY START KINDERGARTEN IS NOT HELP WITH THEIR A.B.C.s SO MUCH AS HELP WITH THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS.

>> TO BEGIN TO MAKE CHOICES, TO BEGIN TO SHARE, TO LEARN HOW TO INTERACT WITH OTHER CHIREN, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE EXPERIENCES THAT REALLY HELP CHILDREN MAKE THAT TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN SUCCESSFULLY.

(BELL RINGING) >> IT IS TIME TO START CLEANUP.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO HELP CHILDREN BE ABLE TO GIN TO TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES.

CLEANING UP AFTER THEY'VE EATEN IS A WAY NOT ONLY OF TING CARE OF THEMSELVES BUT ALSO SHONG CONSIDERATION TO OTHER CHILDREN AND OTHER PEOPLE, AND WE CAN'T ASSUME THAT CHILDREN HE HAD THOSE EXPERIENCES AND HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT.

>> Class: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB.

ITS FLEECE W WHITE AS SNOW.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES TO SCHOOLS IS NOT TO TRY TO FIT THE CHILD TO THE SCHOOL STRUCTURE BUT REALLY REMAIN ADAPTABLE AND FLEXIBLE TO MEET CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE.

>> Class: THE WHEELS OF THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND, ROUND AND ROUND, ROUND AND ROUND.

>> PROGRAMS LIKE S.C.A.M.P., EARLY HEAD START AND PARENTING RKSHOPS ARE BECOMING MORE AVAILABLE IN MANY COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT VERMONT.

PARENTS CAN HELP GET THEIR KIDS READY FOR SCHOOL BYINDING OUT WHAT THEIR COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER, BY GETTING INVOLVED AND BY BECOMING BETTER CONSUMERS OF CHILD CARE.