♪ ♪ >> Renee: ACCORDING TO A VETERAN EARLY EDUCATION EXPERT, CHILD CARE IS THE INDUSTRY THAT SUPPORTS ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES.

BUT IS IT ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE?

Dr. SARAH TAYLOR VANOVER JOINS THE SHOW TO TALK ABOUT HER NEW BOOK, AMERICA'S CHILD CARE CRISIS, RETHINKING AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS.

WHY IS CHILD CARE AT SUCH RISK AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT ITS COLLAPSE?

LEARN WHY AND HOW NOW ON CONNECTIONS.

♪ ♪ >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS EDITION OF CONNECTIONS TODAY.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

ACCORDING TO TODAY'S GUEST, AMERICA'S CHILD CARE SYSTEM WAS FACING CRUSHING CHALLENGES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

ISSUES SURROUNDING STAFFING, FUNDING WERE CONSTANT AND THE STRUGGLE FOR FAMILIES TO FIND AND AFFORD QUALITY EARLY LEARNING CENTERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN IS REAL AND ONGOING.

JOINING US TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE WAYS TO ADDRESS THE THREATS OF THIS FOUNDATIONAL AND NECESSARY INDUSTRY IS Dr. SARAH TAYLOR VANOVER, SHE HAS WORKED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

HER RESEARCH AND WORK ARE FOCUSED ON SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS AND ASSESSING QUALITY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

Dr. ADVANTAGEOVER IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF CHILD CARE UNDER THE KENTUCKY CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

HER BOOK, THE NEW BOOK IS CALLED "NETWORK'S CHILD CARE CRISIS: RETHINKING AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS."

BUSINESS."BUSINESS."

BUSINESS."BUSINESS."BUSINESS.

"BU SINESS."SINESS."

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU Dr. VANOVER.

IT'S A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: WE FOUND OUT BEFORE WE STARTED TAPING, THERE ARE SEVERAL CONNECTIONS YOU HAVE TO KET AND SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO WORK HERE AND SO WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON THIS TURF AND REUNITED AT LEAST IN SPIRIT.

THIS BOOK THAT I'VE MENTIONED, THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST BOOK.

AS I MENTIONED, YOU HAVE MORE THAN 22 YEARS IN THIS INDUSTRY.

THIS IS YOUR SIXTH BOOK, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> Renee: WHAT HAVE YOU FOCUSED ON BEFORE THIS WORK?

>> PREVIOUSLY I'VE WRITTEN TWO BOOKS THAT HELPED PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM AND THE PROCESS OF PREFERRING YOUR CHILD FOR AN EVALUATION IF YOU THINK THEY MAY HAVE A DISABILITY.

I'VE ALSO WRITTEN SEVERAL BOOKS FOR EARLY EDUCATORS ON THE SCHOOL READINESS IMPACT OF QUALITY INFANT AND TODDLER CLASSROOMS, CASE STUDIES TO TRAIN NEW DIRECTORS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT COMPLEXITIES OF RUNNING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM, AND THEN ALSO A BOOK ON EMERGENT CURRICULUM THAT LOOKS AT FOLLOWING THE CHILD'S INTEREST TO PROVIDE THE BEST CURRICULUM POSSIBLE.

>> Renee: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING CENTERS AND ALL OF THIS HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM ITS ORIGINAL INCEPTION TO JUST PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE FOR CHILDREN.

THAT IT DIDN'T START OFF MAYBE BEING THIS EMPHASIS ON REALLY FOCUSING ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS SO KEY BEFORE KIDS ENTER KINDERGARTEN.

>> YES, THE INITIAL PURPOSE OF CHILD CARE WHEN IT FIRST BEGAN WAS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHILE A FAMILY HAD TO BE AT WORK.

AND THAT'S ESSENTIAL, TOO.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PILLARS OF WHAT CHILD CARE IS.

HOWEVER, AS WE'VE LEARNED MORE ABOUT HOW CHILDREN GROW AND DEVELOP, WE'VE LEARNED THAT SO MUCH LEARNING HAPPENS UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE AND UNDER THE AGE OF THREE.

SO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HAS CHANGED TO MAKE MORE LANGUAGE INTERACTIONS, TO MAKE ACTIVITIES THAT CREATE PROBLEM SOLVING AT A YOUNG AGE.

AND REALLY TO WORK ON SOCIAL SKILLS WHERE CHILDREN ARE READY TO ENTER A KINDERGARTEN ENVIRONMENT AND TO FOLLOW SOCIAL RULES AND TO IDENTIFY THE EMOTIONS OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS.

>> Renee: GETS THEM PREPARED FOR THE REAL WORLD AT A VERY EARLY AGE.

YOU WRITE IN YOUR BOOK, THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY AND I SAID IT AT THE BEGINNING, THE FOUNDATIONAL INDUSTRY IN WHICH EVERYTHING ELSE CIRCULATES.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE EVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY.

EXPAND ON THAT LINE OF THINKING?

>> IT HAS TWO FOLD.

FIRST OF ALL, PARENTS WILL NOT GO TO WORK IF THEY DO NOT FEEL THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

SO THE ECONOMY AT LARGE CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT WORKING FAMILIES.

THERE ARE SO MANY WORKING SINGLE FAMILIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMY.

AND AS A WORKING PARENT MYSELF, IF I DON'T THINK MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE, I'M NOT GOING TO GO TO WORK.

I WOULD QUIT MY JOB BEFORE WOULD I PUT MY CHILDREN IN A SITUATION THAT THEY WEREN'T SAFE.

SO HAVING SAFE AND SECURE CHILD CARE MAKES SURE THAT PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN GO TO WORK AND BE PART OF THE ECONOMY.

THE OTHER PORTION OF THAT IS THAT AT A YOUNG AGE, AS OUR CHILDREN START LEARNING, WE ARE TEACHING THEM ESSENTIAL SKILLS TEACHING THEM ESSENTIAL SKILLS ESSENTIAL SKILLS BY DEVELOPING IN-DEPTH LEARNING SKILLS.

WE ARE CREATING FUTURE ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS AND TEACHERS AND DOCTORS AND SO CHILD CARE HELPS PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE WORKFORCE, ALSO.

>> Renee: RIGHT AND I THINK WE HAVE MADE TRIED TO MAKE THAT CASE.

YOU HAVE BEEN PART OF THE PROGRAMS IN THE AUDIENCE WHEN WE DID THOSE HERE.

THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM IS TOO THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM IS TOO THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM IS TOO WHY IS IT SO FRAGILE AND HOW HAS COVID MADE IT WORSE?

>> PRIOR TO COVID, WE WERE OR DEALING WITH NATIONWIDE STAFFING CRISIS IN CHILD CARE.

FAMILIES WERE SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY, TO HAVE AN INFANT IN CHILD CARE COST MORE THAN A FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE TUITION.

EMPLOYEES AT CHILD CARE ARE BARELY MAKING ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE IN MANY PLACES AND WE THINK I'M PAYING $200 OR $250 A WEEK.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

THAT SHOULD PAY FOR THE PERSON TAKING CARE OF MY CHILD BUT WHEN YOU BREAK THAT DOWN AND SAY MY CHILD IS IN CHILD CARE FOR 50 HOURS A WEEK, IF YOU THINK ABOUT A 40 HOUR A WEEK JOB AND COMMUTE AT THE END OF EACH DAY.

IF I DIVIDE THAT INTO THE $250, THAT'S $5 AN HOUR AND IT'S NOT JUST PAYING FOR ONE PERSON TO WATCH YOUR CHILD.

IT'S PAYING FOR FOUR OR FIVE TEACHERS THAT INTERACT WITH YOUR CHILD THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE DAY.

PAYING FOR ADMINISTRATORS, COOKS, CONSUMABLES, CONSTRUCTION PAPER, FOOD, MORTGAGE, BILLS, INSURANCE, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

SO WHEN IT GETS DIVIDED UP, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS HAVE VERY LITTLE MONEY LEFT THAT GOES TO SALARY.

AND REALLY AND MOST CHILD CARE PROGRAMS GOAL IS TO BREAK EVEN.

IT'S NOT A PROFIT INDUSTRY.

PARENTS DO THE MAJORITY OF THE SUPPORT.

$42 BILLION A YEAR GOES INTO CHILD CARE FROM PARENTS EACH YEAR IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO PARENTS ARE FUNDING THIS.

THERE IS VERY LITTLE STATE OR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT THAT GOES IN AND PARENTS CAN ONLY PAY SO MUCH.

SO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS CAN ONLY CHARGE SO MUCH.

THEY AREN'T REALLY CHARGING THE COST OF QUALITY.

THEY'RE CHARGING AS MUCH AS THEY THINK THEY CAN GET FROM THE FAMILY.

>> Renee: AND ALL OF THOSE POINTS, EVERY QUESTION THAT I HAD FROM THAT POINT, BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT, YOU EVEN MENTIONED IN A WEBINAR THAT I HAD WATCHED, THAT THE CHILD CARE FOR YOUR TWO BOYS ALMOST EQUALED YOUR MORTGAGE YOUR HOME MORTGAGE.

>> SURPASSED IT.

>> Renee: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF THE PARENTAL AND CARE GIVING SIDE, YOU KNOW, THEY WOND ERR WHY AM I SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY BUT YOU MADE THE CASE THAT IT'S NOT JUST TO SUPPORT THE ONE TEACHER WHO MAY BE INTERACTING WITH THE CHILD BUT THE STAFF THAT PROVIDES THAT SUPPORT.

I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT COVID DID SPECIFICALLY.

WE KNOW IN KENTUCKY AND OTHER STATES, THERE WERE RESTRICTIONS AND GUIDELINES THAT MAYBE FORCED THE CLOSURE IS THAT THE CORRECT WAY OF PUTTING IT.

THEY FOUND THEMSELVES IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY COULD NO LONGER BE OPERATIONAL BECAUSE CAPACITY WAS LIMITED.

>> STATES HANDLED THE SITUATION IN DIFFERENT WAYS BUT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, MANY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS CLOSED THROUGHOUT THE U.S.

SOME DID VOLUNTARILY BECAUSE FAMILIES WERE KEEPING THEIR FAMILY HOMES TO PROTECT THEM AND THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH CHILDREN ENROLLED.

OTHER STATES TRIED TO BE PROACTIVE AND CLOSED THEM FOR A TEMPORARY TIME PERIOD.

THE ISSUE IS THAT DURING THAT TIME PERIOD, FIXED EXPENSES STILL EXIST.

>> Renee: THE LIGHT BILL STILL HAS TO BE PAID.

>> MORNING, INSURANCE, AND STAFF, YOU KNOW, SOME CENTERS TRIED TO PAY THEIR STAFF AS LONG AS POSSIBLE EVEN THOUGH THEY WEREN'T GETTING ANY REVENUE AND OTHER PLACES STAFF HAD TO GO ON UNEMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY TO STRETCH THAT.

WHILE STAFF WERE ON UNEMPLOYMENT, IF THEY HAD OTHER JOB OPPORTUNITIES, THEY MAY HAVE LEFT TO GO TO OTHER AREAS AND ONESTLY, MANY OTHER JOB PROFESSIONS PAY MORE THAN CHILD CARE.

SO TRYING TO ATTRACT PEOPLE BACK TO THE FIELD OF CHILD CARE WHEN THE PROVIDERS ARE PAID SO MUCH LESS THAN THEY DESERVE, IT'S VERY CHALLENGING AND THAT UNEMPLOYMENT WAGES IN MANY STATES WERE MORE THAN THE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WERE MAKING WHEN THEY WERE THERE 40 HOURS A WEEK.

>> Renee: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ADJUSTMENTS THE STAFF IN THE CHILD CARE CENTERS HAD TO MAKE DURING COVID.

YOU WANT TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD SO MAYBE TEACHERS WEREN'T GOING FROM CLASS TO CLASS TO CLASS AND YET THEY HAVE FEWER KIDS AND LESS INCOME BUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

WE NOA THAT AND AS YOU ALLUDED TO, THE CENTERS OPERATE IN THE MARGINS ANYWAY, NOT NECESSARILY A PROFIT MAKING ENTERPRISE.

HOW DID THOSE ADJUSTMENTS EVEN CHANGE THEIR WHOLE DYNAMIC MANY CENTERS REDUCED THEIR REVENUE AND INCREASED STAFFING.

THEY WERE OPERATING WEEK AFTER WEEK AT A LOSS BECAUSE IF CLASSROOMS, MANY CLASSROOMS WERE SET UP AT THE CDC RECOMMENDATION OF KEEPING PODS OF CHILDREN TOGETHER SO THEY HAD EIGHT CHILDREN THAT MIGHT BE TOGETHER ALL DAY LONG BUT IN MANY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN CHILDREN START TO BE PICKED UP BY THEIR PARENTS, THEY MIGHT COMBINE TWO CLASSROOMS SO ONE STAFF MEMBER COULD GO HOME.

THOSE TYPES OF COMBINATIONS COULD NOT HAPPEN DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY AT THE HEIGHT OF THE VIRUS SO PLUS THERE WERE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS THAT HAD TO DO TEMPERATURE CHECKS AS CHILDREN CAME IN THE DOOR.

ADDITIONAL CLEANING, FINDING WAYS TO, YOU KNOW, OFFSET SHARING A PLAYGROUND, MAKING SURE MULTIPLE CLASSES WERE NOT ON THE PLAYGROUND AT THE SAME TIME.

ALL THOSE THINGS LED TO A LOT MORE STAFFING WITH A LOT LESS REVENUE.

WE SAW CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ALL OVER THE U.S., OWNERS AND DIRECTORS THAT WERE TAKING MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS EMPTIYING THEIR I.R.A.S, TAKING OUT SMALL BUSINESS LOANS, MAXING OUT THEIR CREDIT CARDS TO DEEP THEIR PROGRAM OPEN BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE OF TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON A POINTED YOU MADE ABOUT THE MONEY CHILD CARE CENTERS RECEIVED FROM THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

DID US THAT HAPPEN WE KNOW THAT REGULATED CHILD CARE CENTERS WHETHER THEY'RE CENTERS AS WE THINK OF THEM OR IN HOME THAT THEY'RE REGULATED, BOTH OF REGULATED.

AND YOU I WANT YOU TO EMPHASIZE THAT POINT BUT ARE THERE SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE FOR PARTICULAR WILL I LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO OFFSET THE COST OF CHILD CARE IF THEIR CHILD IS IN A REGULATE ENVIRONMENT?

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES EVERY STATE FUNDING EVERY YEAR ANNUALLY FROM THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT.

SOME OF THE FUNDS GO TO HEAD START AND OTHERS GO TO LICENSED AND REGULATED CHILD CARE.

BUT THE PREDOMINANT PURPOSE OF THAT MONEY IS TO HELP SUCTION DIES CHILD CARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC IN KENTUCKY, WE HAD LOTS IN CHILD CARE FOR OVER 165,000 CHILDREN.

ONLY 17% OF THOSE SLOTS WENT TO CHILDREN ON SUBS DAY SO 83% OF THOSE SLOTS ARE PAID COMPLETELY BY PARENTS SO CENTERS THAT HAVE HIGHER COST RATES, THEY CAN GET A LOT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS BUT THEY USUALLY MAX OUT AT A CERTAIN COST.

MAYBE THEY SAY THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT IS 50% OF THE MARKET RATE FOR CHILD CARE SOME THAT AREA.

ONLY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF CENTERS WILL THE COST OF SUBSIDIES COVER THE WHOLE COST.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE EXPENSIVE CENTER, A FAMILY ON SUBSIDY, EVEN IF THE OVERAGES IS $50 A WEEK, IT ADDS UP AND $200 A MONTH MAY STILL BE MORE THAN THEY CAN PAY TO BE IN THAT.

MANY OF OUR SUBSIDY FAMILIES CONCENTRATE TO A CERTAIN GROUP OF CENTERS AND THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT GET SOME GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY BUT THERE ISN'T JUST A BLANKET AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY TYPICALLY THAT GOES TO ALL CENTERS LIKE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Renee: IS THE QUALITY IN QUESTION AT THOSE CENTERS AT ALL OR DOES IT SEEM TO BE ON PAR REGARDLESS?

>> IT DEPENDS.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS IN KENTUCKY AND IN ALL THE STATES THAT WE INCENTIVIZE HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS.

MANY OF US HAVE A STAR RATING SYSTEM.

WE HAVE ONE IN KENTUCKY A 1-5 STAR SCALE.

THE HIGHER YOU ARE, THE MORE INCENTIVE MONEY YOU GET.

AND THE MORE CHILDREN YOU TAKE THAT RECEIVE SUBSIDY, EVEN MORE INCENTIVE MONEY SO WE TRY TRY TO INCENTIVIZE MAKING SURE CHILDREN IN LOW INCOME BRACKETS GET HIGH QUALITY CARE AND MANY OF THE PROGRAMS ARE HEAD START PARTISANSHIPS SO HIVE HIGH PARTNERSHIPS SO THAT BRINGS HEAD START FUNDS TO THE TABLE AND HELPS WITH ACCESS.

IF YOU ARE A MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY AND YOU DON'T QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDIES, IT CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING TO PAY FOR HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM.

>> ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

I YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE ON SITE CARE AT A PLACE OF BUSINESS; THAT THERE ARE CREATIVE THINGS THAT BUSINESSES COULD DO TO HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES AND IF YOU WILL GO INTO THAT FOR US.

>> WE KNOW THAT COMPANIES BENEFIT MOST WHEN THEIR EMPLOYEES COME TO WORK ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT CALLING IN, WHEN THEY'RE NOT LATE.

WHETHER THEY'RE CONSISTENT.

AND FOR MANY WORKING SINGLE FAMILIES, CHILD CARE IS THE BIGGEST REASON THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME.

IF THEIR CHILD CARE IS INCONSISTENT, THEY'RE GOING TO CALL IN MORE AND THE COMPANY IS GOING TO SUFFER.

NOT EVERYBODY HAS A LARGE ENOUGH BUSINESS THAT THEY CAN PUT A LARGE FACILITY ON SITE.

MAYBE, YOU KNOW, HOSPITALS OR LARGE FACTORIES MAY BE ABLE TO PUT ON SITE CHILD CARE AT THE FACILITIES.

BUT COMPANIES WHO DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY CAN STILL PARTNER WITH CHILD CARE PROGRAMS.

EVEN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES, THEY CAN PARTNER WITH.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE NEEDS ARE, THE STAFF, THE AGE OF THEIR STAFF, HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED CHILD CARE.

BUT A LOT OF TIMES, IF YOU REACH OUT AND CREATE A PARTNERSHIP WITH MAYBE A CENTER AAND A COUPLE OF CHILD CARE FAMILY HOMES.

I WILL REFER ALL OF MY EMPLOYEES WITH CHILD CARE TO YOU FIRST IF YOU WILL SAVE SPOTS FOR US AND SUBSIDIZE 5% OR 10% AND IT CAN BECOME A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WHEN BOTH ENTITIES BENEFIT BECAUSE THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM CAN REACH FULL ENROLLMENT THAT WAY AND THE BUSINESS ITSELF, THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING STAFF AND RETRAINING PEOPLE WHICH IS AN EXPENSIVE PROCESS.

PEOPLE LOSE FUNDING EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF EMPLOYEE LOSS, EMPLOYEE TURNOVER AND EMPLOYEES THAT CALL IN LATE ALL RELATED TO THEIR CHILDREN.

MAKING CHILD CARE A BENEFIT CAN BE A HUGE ASSET TO A COMPANY.

>> SO THESE KINDS OF PARTNERSHIPS, DO YOU TIEBD THAT MORE IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE IS A DIRTH OF CHILD CARE CENTERS OR IS THAT A GENERALIZATION I'M MAKING ABOUT WHERE THAT'S MORE PROMINENT.

>> IT DEPENDS.

RURAL AREAS IN KENTUCKY, WE ARE VERY SHORT ON CHILD CARE.

WE USE THE TERM CHILD CARE DESERT TO DESCRIBE AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE MORE CHILDREN THAT NEED CARE THAN SPOTS AVAILABLE.

IN OUR 120 COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY, WE HAVE 65 COUNTIES THAT ARE CHILD CARE DESERTS.

MOST OF THOSE ARE RURAL.

THE REASON IT HAPPENS IN RURAL AREAS IS BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE OFTEN SPACED SO FAR APART.

AND A CENTER NEEDS 20 FAMILIES, 30 FAMILIES THAT CAN ALL COME TO IT BUT IF TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE, THEY WON'T FILL UP.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES DO BETTER IN RURAL AREAS BECAUSE ONLY TWO OR FAMILIES HAVE TO COME TO REACH THE ENROLLMENT.

A LOT OF OUR RURAL AREAS, THERE MIGHT BE JOBS THAT DON'T FIT A TYPICAL SIX A.M. TO SIX P.M.

SCHEDULE.

CENTERS REALLY OPERATE ON THAT 6-6 TIME PERIOD.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE A SECOND OR THIRD SHIFT JOB OR WORK ON THE WEEKENDS?

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES REALLY SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE THOSE ALTERNATE HOURS SO THEY CAN BE A GREAT AS SET IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE NOT JUST RURAL AREAS.

>> Renee: AND THOSE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES ARE UNDER THE SAME REGULATORY RULES AS THOSE THAT ARE STAND ALONE CENTERS.

BACK GROUND CHECKS IN PLACE, HOME INSPECTIONS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR MEALS AND CURRICULUM AND THINGS JUST LIKE A LICENSED CENTER.

>> NOT A GLORIFIED BABYSITTING SERVICE.

AND THE POINT YOU MAKE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CERTIFIED EDUCATION SYSTEM CURRICULUM AS WELL.

NOT THAT YOU ARE JUST GOING TO PLOP THEM DOWN.

WE LIKE PEOPLE TO WATCH SESAME STREET AND EARL CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS BUT IT IS MORE THAN THAT.

QUALIFICATIONS IN TRAINING, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN A FORUM WE DID PRE-PANDEMIC ABOUT PROFESSIONALIZING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

I THINK PART OF THAT AND YOU ARE THE EXPERT HERE, DOES IT CENTER ON, WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A CHILD CARE PROVIDER?

DO THEY HAVE TO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL OR GROW OR EQUIVALENT OR A LEVEL OF TRAINING AND HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE PROFESSIONALISM THAT PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY ASSIGN TO THESE TYPES OF EDUCATORS?

>> THE MINIMUM STANDARD THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THE BASIC BARE BONES LICENSING REGULATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR G.E.D.

FOR SOMEONE TO BE ALONE WITH CHILDREN.

A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COULD BE A STAFF MEMBER BUT THEY COULDN'T BE A SOLE TEACH.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE SUPPORT.

HEAD START, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EDUCATION.

FOR AN INFANT TEACHER THEY NEED CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHER THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE A FOUR YEAR DEGREE IN THE FIELD AND MANY CENTERS DO HAVE SOME REQUIREMENTS THEY REFER TO HIRE CA CANDIDATES, SOMEONE WITH A DEGREE, BUT THEY STILL CAN'T COMPENSATE THEM WHEN THEY HAVE THE EXTRA EDUCATION, AND SO, YOU KNOW, MANY OF OUR STUDENTS HERE IN KENTUCKY, THEY GO THROUGH A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM AT EKU OR U OF L, A DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WITH A SPECIAL ED FOCUS.

THEY GET OUT AND HIRED AT A CHILD CARE PROGRAM, MAKING CLOSE TO MINIMUM WAGE AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS WITH THAT.

SO IT'S HARD BASED ON THE SALARY TO HIFER THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND THAT BECOMES A STRUGGLE.

A LOT OF TIMES CHILD CARE PROGRAMS WILL HIRE PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO THE WORKFORCE, YOUNG AND GO INTO TRAIN THEM THROUGH THAT PROGRAM AND HELP THEM TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE AND GET SCHOLARSHIPS THAT WAY, TO GET A DEGREE.

BUT THEY START OFF IN THE PROGRAM WITH VERY MINIMAL TRAINING AND THEN MAYBE THEY GROW UP AS AN EDUCATOR, WORKING THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> Renee: I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT APRIL APPREHENSION OF PARENTS NOW THAT WE ARE EASING OUT OF COVID, WHICH I HOPE IS THE CORRECT WAY TO CHARACTERIZE THAT.

ARE YOU SEEING CHILD CARE CENTERS IMPROVE IN THEIR BOTTOM LINE OR ABILITY TO BE STABLE?

ARE PARENTS STILL APPREHENSIVE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING MAY BE OKAY AND THEY'RE FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES, BUT MAYBE MY CHILD IS IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR I AS A PARENT HAVE A PREEXISTING CONDITION AND PUTTING A CHILD IN THAT ENVIRONMENT AND COMING HOME COULD CAUSE SERIOUS RISK.

WHAT YOURY SAG WHEN IT COMES TO PARENTS CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR CHILD WILL BE SAFE AND NOT BE A DANGER TO THEIR PARENTS OR OTHER CAREGIVERS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WILL SAY CHILD CARE IS ONE OF THE MOST REGULATED INDUSTRIES IN THE NATION.

EVEN PRIOR TO COVID, THERE ARE SO MANY CLEANING REQUIREMENTS.

THERE ARE SO MANY PRECAUTIONS PUT IN PLACE, HOW THE PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING A DIAPER AND WHEN YOU PUT GLOVES ON AND WHEN YOU DO THIS.

SO THERE IS ALREADY A LOT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THAT HELP OUR CHILDREN EVERY DAY.

LOOKING AT THIS POINT IN TIME IN THE PANDEMIC, IT'S NOT SO MUCH THE FAMILIES THAT ARE WAITING TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN AS THE CENTERS ARE STRUGGLING TO REACH FULL STAFFING.

MANY CENTERS HAVE EMPTY CLASSROOMS THAT DON'T HAVE CHILDREN IN THEM BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A WAIT LIST OR POTENTIAL INTEREST.

ICE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND STAFF MEMBERS TO COME BACK AND A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THEY ARE COMPETING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT STILL OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE HIGHER STARTING RATES.

>> Renee: ONE OF THE THINGS YOU TALK ABOUT IN THE BOOK IS THAT NOW, EARLY EDUCATORS ARE LEARNING TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE GOING TO FRANKFORT, THEY'RE GOING TO WASHINGTON.

THEY'RE ENGAGING WITH MEMBERS OF OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION TO MAKE THEIR CASE AND THEY'RE TELLING THE STORIES OF PARENTS WHO RELY ON THEM TO BE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

IS IT WORKING?

>> YOU KNOW, THIS PAST YEAR IS ONE OF THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

I HAVE BEEN IN THIS FIELD 22 YEARS AND FOR THE MOST PART, PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND INFANT AND TODDLER TEACHERS LOVE IT.

EVEN WITH THE LOW PAY, THEY LOVE THE KIDS THEY DIDN'T SAY MUCH EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE STRUGGLING AND MIGHT HAVE TO BE ON GOVERNMENT SUPPLEMENTS THEMSELVES BUT IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE SEEN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THAT HAVE GOTTEN ON PHONE CALLS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL DELEGATIONS AND SAID MY CENTER WILL CLOSE IF YOU DON'T SEND HELP AND WHERE WILL THE KIDS GO THEN?

WE HAVE SEEN KENTUCKY CHILD CARE CENTER DIRECTORS THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY EMAILED MY OFFICE IN FRANKFORT, THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY REACHED OUT TO SENATOR McCONNELL'S OFFICE AND SAY WE HAVE TO HAVE HELP.

I HONESTLY THINK THAT THESE THREE FOUND OF FUNDING THAT CHILD CARE HAS RECEIVED WHICH HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL, THINGS WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IN OUR FIELD BEFORE HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE FINDING THEIR VOICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Renee: BUT THAT'S NOT RECURRING, RIGHT?

>> NOT RECURRING FUNDING.

>> Renee: THERE IS A PROPOSITION ON THE TABLE FROM THE PRESIDENT ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES SOME CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES.

I WILL USE THAT WORD LOOSELY THERE.

HOW DO YOU SUSTAIN THAT LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

IS THERE A DOLLAR FIGURE THAT WOULD YOU SAY OKAY, THIS IS WHAT CAN KEEP THIS SYSTEM THRIVING?

OR SURVIVING?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS A DOLLAR FIGURE REALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER HAD CHILD CARE EMPLOYEES PAID AT THE LEVEL THAT THEY NEED TO BE.

WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THAT LEVEL OF FUNCTION SO WE DON'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE.

BUT THESE ONE-TIME PAYMENTS WHAT MANY OF THE STATES LIKE KENTUCKY ARE TRYING TO DO IS FIND A WAY TO STIMULATE THE PAY RATE OF CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TO INCREASE THAT, TO GET IT UP TO A PLACE WHERE IT IS, YOU KNOW, THEY AREN'T GOING TO BE WEALTHY IN THIS FIELD.

WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE WEALTHY.

>> Renee: COMPARABLE TO THE K-12 EDUCATOR.

>> THAT'S HARD TO DO.

WE WANT TO NEWSMAKERS SURE THEY HAVE AN ABILITY TO HAVE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS.

MOST, THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE U.S., ONLY 16% OF OUR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER.

SO THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS WELL AS OFFSET COSTS FOR PARENTS.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

>> AND YOU KNOW, THESE THREE LARGE AMOUNTS WE'VE GOTTEN WITH CARES, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THEY'RE ALL ONE-TIME SUMS AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, OKAY, IF WE SET UP A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS, WHAT IS GOING TO KEEP IT GOING IN THE FUTURE?

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK OUTSIDE OF JUST FEDERAL FUNDS AND JUST STATE FUNDS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IN MY BOOK THAT I BRING UP THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THEY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS.

AND SOME BUSINESSES WE HAVE BUSINESSES IN KENTUCKY LIKE TOYOTA, THAT HAVE ON SITE CHILD CARE AND HAVE MADE AN INVESTMENT IN MAKING SURE THEIR EMPLOYEES GO IT TO WORK AND THAT THE CHILDREN ARE SAFE DURING THAT.

>> Renee: AND THEY EMPLOY 8,000 PEOPLE.

>> YES, BUT WE NEED TO SEE OTHERS THAT TAKE AN INTEREST IN PARTNERING WITH CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, OFFSET COST FOR EMPLOYEES AND REALIZING IT BENEFITS THEM AS WELL.

>> Renee: MAKING IT PART OF THE BENEFITS PACKAGE, RIGHT?

AS MUCH AS WOULD YOU HEALTHCARE AND RETIREMENT, IF THAT'S PART OF YOUR PACKAGE, YOU KNOW, THAT CHILD BENEFITS WOULD ALSO GO A LONG WAY IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING EMPLOYEES AND WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN A CRITICAL WORK SHORTAGE IN HIRING SLOWDOWN, AT LEAST FROM THE LAST JOBS REPORT.

ALL OF THIS IS CONNECTED.

AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION EARLY LEARNING IS REALLY A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE SO JUST TO REMIND US THAT IS THE CASE.

>> >> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TRAINING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN ONE PIECE, GETTING THEM INTO THE WORKFORCE HELPING TO TRAIN THEM HELPING FAMILIAR LISTS BE PRODUCTIVE IN SOCIETY AND THEN SUPPORTING THE FAMILIES THAT COME TO THE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AND MAKING SURE THAT SHE HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO TO WORK AS WELL.

A LOT OF IT WHEN WE LOOK AT CHILD CARE FAMILY HOMES, A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR ENTREPRENEURS.

IT IS NOT JUST THAT YOU ARE WATCHING CHILDREN IN YOUR HOME.

YOU BECOME A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

WHETHER YOU OPEN A FAMILY CHILD CARE PROGRAM IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE AN ENTREPRENEUR, YOU ARE RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM, YOU KNOW, AFTER MEETING THE MINIMUM STANDARDS, YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CREATE THE RAM THAT YOU WANT.

AND SO WITHIN THE PAST YEAR IN KENTUCKY, WE HAVE LOOKED A LOT AT HELPING NEW FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS BECOME THESE ENTREPRENEURS, TRAINING THEM ON HOW TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS.

MANY CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS REALLY KNOW THE EDUCATION PIECE WELL BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE ALWAYS DONE BUT MANY ARE SCARED TO BECOME A FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME PROVIDER BECAUSE THE BUSINESS PIECE INVOLVED.

AND SO IN KENTUCKY, WE ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO OFFER THE BUSINESS SUPPORT AS A WORKFORCE SUPPORT SO THAT THESE PROVIDERS WILL FEEL EMPOWERED TO RUN THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND TO PROVIDE CARE IN AREAS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE AND MAYBE UNLOIMENT IN THAT AREA IS AT A HIGH BECAUSE CHILD CARE IS AT A LOW.

>> Renee: I WILL SAY IF YOU CAN DEAL WITH SOME LITTLE ONES ALL DAY LONG... [LAUGHTER] , THEN THE BUSINESS PIECE MIGHT BE A LITTLE MORE SIMPLE THAN IS THOUGHT.

WELL, THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A GREAT DISCUSSION.

AMERICA'S CHILD CARE CRISIS, RETHINKING AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS.

ENCOURAGE TO YOU PICK THIS UP.

IT'S A GREAT READ.

I THINK IT'S A GENERAL KIND OF CONVERSATION BUT I THINK PARENTS CAN LEARN FROM IT AND CERTAINLY.

MEDIA CAN LEARN ABOUT HOW TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND BRING LIGHT TO IT.

WE ARE VERY GLAD YOU SPENT TIME WITH US AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK IN OTHER FORUMS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND IT MORE.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOUR GREAT WORK.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS EDITION OF CONNECTIONS TODAY.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS GOING ON ON KET.

YOU CAN LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE AT ket.org AND SEE PREVIOUS PROGRAMS OF CONNECTIONS, KENTUCKY TONIGHT OR WHATEVER YOUR FLAIR IS THERE AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, I'M ON THE NO THAT TOO MUCH.

I'M NOT ON THAT AS MUCH BUT FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AT RENEE KET.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE UNTIL NEXT