"I feel like I've been featured on an episode of Extreme Makeover-Child Care Edition," said a child care provider after participating in a 36-hour training designed to help providers improve the quality of their childcare.

Seniors in the social work program at Wartburg College presented their findings from a special project at the Saemann Student Center on campus Wednesday.

Continuing education for preschool educators and licensed day care providers is getting more involved since the passage of the Early Childhood Development bill signed by Gov. Chet Culver last session.

John Holt’s brother recently moved to town to supply some child-rearing help. Holt, who’s raising his two sons in Clarion, had been scrambling to find day care for them while he’s at work.

JoAnn Lewis cares for 14 children in her Davenport home. She has no health insurance.

A delegation of child care providers today called on the state to do more to help cut the high turnover among the profession. Matt Tapscott is a child care provider from Des Moines who spoke for "Child Care Providers Together."

Pam Coffey is a widowed mother of two boys who works long hours and travels often for her executive job with Dex Media in West Des Moines.