Early Childhood Focus

(OPINION) Iowa�s Education Blueprint Must Include Preschool

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:10:09 PST

EXCERPT FROM: QUAD-CITY TIMES
By Dr. Andy McGuire
Right now, Iowans are discussing how best to help children succeed in a global economy.

Is Your Child Safe in Someone Else's Care?

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:50:42 PST

EXCERPT FROM: WHBF TV Quad Cities
By Courtney Baker
Are your little one's safe in someone else's care? That's the question after Muscatine police said an 8 month old died in an illegal in home daycare.

UPDATE: Cedar Falls Child Care Announces Sudden Closure

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:44:01 PST

EXCERPT FROM: WCF Courier
By Jim Offner
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The day care situation in Cedar Falls got a bit tighter Monday with the closure of Cradles 2 Crayons, at 4710 Cedar Heights Drive.

Branstad Stays Mostly Silent on Preschool

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:12:39 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Des Moines Register
By Jason Clayworth
Gov. Terry Branstad sidestepped numerous questions from reporters Tuesday about whether he has officially dropped his stand against the state's free preschool program.

CHILDCARE DOOMED: Three Floods in One Year Has a Des Moines Childcare Pleading for Help

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:33:44 PST

EXCERPT FROM: WHOtv.com
By Emily Carlson
A Des Moines preschool says it has spent thousands of dollars to protect its day care from flooding, yet for the third time in less than a year its basement has filled with water.

Iowa Republican Lawmakers Make New Budget Proposal

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:32:51 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Bloomberg Businessweek
By Mike Glover
Statehouse Republicans proposed a two-year state budget they said makes concessions to Democrats on education funding and preschool programs.

State-paid Preschool is Likely to Survive, Branstad says

Fri, 27 May 2011 15:19:54 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Des Moines Register
By Staci Hupp
Iowans can expect state-paid preschool to be spared from the budget ax next year.

Preschool Plan Would Cost More to Manage, Nonpartisan Group Finds

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:56:13 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Des Moines Register
By Jason Clayworth
The latest legislative skirmish over a revived plan to end free preschool for all 4-year-olds centers on administrative costs, and a nonpartisan estimate shows those costs would roughly triple.

Child Care Funds Under-Used

Tue, 11 May 2010 16:47:19 PST

EXCERPT FROM: WCF Courier
By Emily Christensen
WATERLOO - Northeast Iowa families now have access to nearly $200,000 in child care scholarships, but few are taking advantage of the new program.

NICC Childcare Facility is Open to All, But in Real Danger of Closing

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:51:18 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Decorah Newspapers
By Lissa Greiner
Whether or not the Northeast Iowa Community College Child Development Center stays open is not just an NICC issue, it's a community issue.

Childcare Center Takes After its Students: It Just Keeps Growing

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:19:16 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Muscatine Journal
BY Amy Cahill
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Nearly 13 years ago, unable to find suitable day care for her children, Shawna Martin began watching three children in her home.

National Commission Studying Iowa's Disaster Response for Children

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:20:06 PST

EXCERPT FROM: KCRG-TV9
By Justin Foss
CEDAR RAPIDS - The lessons learned in Iowa's floods could soon help the entire country better handle disasters - specifically when it comes to your children.

UI Offers More Child-care Aid

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:37:08 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Daily Iowan
BY HOLLY HINES
James Vineburgh needs childcare.
The UI doctoral student and father of two commutes to Iowa City from Cedar Rapids for classes, and his wife works as a full-time school teacher.

Iowa Gets Federal Funds to Expand Head Start

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:52:00 PST

WASHINGTON (AP) - About $833,000 in federal funds is coming to Iowa to give a boost to various Head Start programs.

Childcare Shut Down by Economy

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:35:50 PST

It's an unusual victim of the recession, one that has left dozens of south Des Moines families looking for other options.

State Banks Money for Child Care

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:52:48 PST

As business slows, Alicia Jones worries she will not have enough hours of work to qualify for child-care assistance from the state.

Guest Column: Invest in Our Children to Stimulate Economy

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:21:37 PST

As the nation and Iowa struggle through an economic crisis, a new administration and Congress are making choices for our future. The right choice to strengthen our economy is to invest in children.

Child Care Issues Debated: E-B Community Wants Center to Remain Open

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:20:38 PST

EDDYVILLE � The Eddyville-Blakesburg School Board heard from a large group of parents who are passionate about keeping the Eddyville Childcare Center open full time.

Child Care Providers Face Uncertain Future in Volatile Economy

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:06:46 PST

Is an uneasy economy affecting local child care providers?

Choosing Child Care Provider Not Easy

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:09:12 PST

Leah Nelson stands on a hopscotch court drawn in colored chalk watching her 3-year-old daughter, Ayla, swing on a swing set.