Early Childhood Focus

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