Early Childhood Focus

State Debates Child-care Rules

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:57:30 PST

Recreational programs such as karate and gymnastics, as well as summer camps and after-school programs, need some type of state oversight, a committee focused on child-care center standards debated Thursday.

Experts: Child Services Lacking

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:20:17 PST

A report by national disaster recovery and child-care experts say children suffer short- and long-term effects from being treated like small adults during and after catastrophic events.

Child Care Licensing Standards Under Reform

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:43:12 PST

BATON ROUGE -- Steps to reform child care licensing standards in Louisiana have been announced by the state Department of Social Services.

Child-care Considered for Special-needs Children

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:50:32 PST

Louisiana parents with special-needs children may get some help in the future with the advent of pediatric day health-care facilities, the state�s health chief said Monday.

Residents Rally Against Proposed Budget

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:19:04 PST

Child care, arts funding, sports fee increases and transit woes were all on the table as east-end councillors met face-to-face with area residents to discuss frustrations over the cuts and rising costs being proposed in the recently-released municipal draft budget.

Child-Care Grants Awarded

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:28:21 PST

The state Department of Social Services awarded $10 million in federal grants to help child-care providers rebuild facilities in areas still recovering from two 2005 hurricanes.

Put Early Childhood On Our Economic Development Agenda

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:39:57 PST

On Tuesday in New Orleans, the Committee for Economic Development, a national research and economic policy organization comprised of business and educational leaders, is hosting a business luncheon called "The Economic Promise of Investing in Early Childhood." With the country in economic crisis, it is striking that a nationally prominent economic development organization would be focused on early childhood. As our community and state continue their efforts to stimulate economic prosperity, it is important that we pay attention to what the experts say about how to achieve our economic goals.

Editorial: Formative Years Key in Education

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:55:06 PST

It doesn't take a Harvard symposium to tell us that early influences affect a child's ability to learn and function in society, but it doesn't hurt to have the reminder. It's good that a team of Louisiana legislators, advisers and educators did some important fact-finding by attending the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child at Harvard University in late June.

Bill Gives Young Citizens A Better Start

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:19:17 PST

Louisiana's state legislators have taken the first step in making Louisiana's children a priority by passing Senate Bill 286, legislation that would make all pre-school programs readily available to Louisiana's 4-year-olds by 2013.

Governor's Wife Delivers Dose of Good News to Children's Advocates

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:47:27 PST

Louisiana is among the top ten states in spending on early childhood education and Gov. Bobby Jindal is pushing to add another $2.5 million to that cause, the governor's wife said today at a gathering of New Orleans area women dedicated to making the post-Katrina world better for the state's youngsters.

Editorial: Improve Child Care Licensing

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:22:57 PST

Like a child gone astray, Louisiana's oversight of day care centers needs some strong intervention and a healthy dose of attention to details before any more time is lost. Early warning signals that attention is due have been getting ever louder in the past couple of years.

Auditor: Louisiana's child care licensing program falls short

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:17:04 PST

The state's social services department licensed child care facilities without making sure they meet minimum standards, according to an audit released Monday that says the agency needs stronger policies to properly protect Louisiana's children.

31 La. child-care centers get "star" in new program

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:54:34 PST

The state awarded 31 child-care centers their first "star" Friday, kicking off a new state rating system that rewards quality caregivers with tax breaks.

The system is meant to improve child care by rewarding a rated facility, its personnel and parents who send their children there with tax credits.

Program sets sights on better child care

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:05:01 PST

Day-care directors across the state should begin receiving letters this week inviting them to participate in a program that encourages higher child-care standards that could also pay off financially.

Child-care centers aided by United Way

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:28:30 PST

With only about 33 percent of the child-care centers back up and running in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, the United Way is at the forefront of helping rebuild child-care facilities that will prepare young children to succeed in school.

Child care bill passes after dumping �hitchhikers�

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:47:33 PST

House panel approves Blanco's child care tax breaks

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:50:23 PST