Early Childhood Focus

Stimulus Funds: County Groups Get $39 Million

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:28:16 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Pottawatomie
By Lori Goat
Agencies and groups in Pottawatomie County has been awarded more than $39 million in stimulus funds so far.

Candidates Discuss Child Care Options

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:25:44 PST

EXCERPT FROM:
James Coburn
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND � Lt. Gov. Jari Askins says she encourages the development of employer day care centers in Oklahoma. Employee productivity and absenteeism improves by investing in child care, Askins said.

Cushing Childcare Closing Its Doors

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:55:50 PST

Many children have passed through the doors at Cushing Daycare, but on Friday, those doors will close.

City Council Converts Loan To Grant, OKs Money For Tulsa Childcare

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:22:07 PST

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa City Council reversed itself on one issue on Thursday night and decided not to change course on another. It was all over community development block grants. That's money from the federal government that's handed out by city councils.

Child-Care Centers: DHS Tells Only One Side

Wed, 13 May 2009 13:44:38 PST

After a series of troublesome inspection reports and confirmed complaints, Buttons and Bows child-care center in Sand Springs lost its national accreditation in March.

Oklahoma Shuts Down Enid Child Care

Mon, 04 May 2009 17:25:38 PST

ENID � An Enid woman was cited Thursday with operating an unlicensed day care, possibly the first time that has happened since a new state law was enacted in November.

Thousands Seek Child Care Background Checks Under New Law

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:25:01 PST

Oklahoma City_In the three months since the mandated child care employment background check law became effective, nearly 4,100 requests have been processed by Oklahoma Department of Human Services' Oklahoma Child Care Services division.

Survey: Half in State Use Child Care

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:48:38 PST

Designating whether a county is in a standard or enhanced area is one of six factors the Oklahoma Department of Human Services uses to determine state rates paid to child care facilities.

Tulsa Billionaire Believes Early Childhood Education Stops Poverty

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:20:10 PST

George Kaiser is a believer in early childhood education as a way to stop poverty in America.

Child Care Law Effective Nov. 1

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:18:40 PST

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL � Unlicensed childcare facilities operating in Oklahoma will no longer be tolerated when a change in the state law goes into effect Nov. 1.

Playschool Kids Care Closes Suddenly

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:24:53 PST

HEATH -- Playschool Kids Care, a child care facility at 585 Industrial Parkway, closes permanently at 7 p.m. today, it was announced Thursday.

OK-DHS Issues Warning To Unlicensed Child Care

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:28:25 PST

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services on Monday issued a warning to unlicensed child care facilities to get a license or cease operations. While existing law prohibits unlicensed child care facilities from operating in the state, a new law going into effect Nov. 1 allows such facilities to be closed by emergency order. Unlicensed child care facilities will not be tolerated beginning Nov. 1, according to a DHS news release. That is when HB 2643, by Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, goes into effect. The bill contains multiple modifications for the licensing, operation and regulation of child care facilities.

Costs for Child Care Skyrocket

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:51:59 PST

Jennifer Wiebe shakes her head and sighs when she talks about what she is paying for child care.

Oklahoma Rates in Middle of States for child Care Cost

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:44:09 PST

The National Child Care Resource and Referral Association released a report today that places Oklahoma in the middle of states regarding the cost of care for an infant, four-year-old and school-age child. Nationally, the report said that the rate of child care is increasing at a faster rate than inflation.

Child Care Price Rising Faster Than Inflation Rate

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:13:17 PST

According to a report released recently by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the price of child care is rising faster than the average rate of inflation. The report, "Parents and the High Price of Child Care: 2008 Update," provides typical prices of child care for infants and for 4-year-olds in centers and family child care homes nationwide. It said that over the course of a year, the average price of full-time center care for one infant and one 4-year-old child increased an average of 6.5 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, almost twice the rate of inflation.

Child Care Bill Among New Laws

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:07:31 PST

Starting July 1, employees of child-care facilities will be required to sign a statement saying they have not been convicted of a violent crime.

State's Early Childhood Education Praised

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:35:46 PST

Four-year-olds in a state pre-kindergarten program showed dramatic improvements in pre-reading, pre-writing and pre-math skills and outperformed their peers in a similar federal program, a new study shows.

Tulsa Educare Advances Early Childhood Research

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:04:16 PST

Tulsa continues to emerge as a national if not world leader in creating and refining early childhood learning programs for infants and toddlers.

Child Care Reforms Pass Okla. House

Wed, 21 May 2008 13:40:27 PST

The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted today to increase oversight of day care facilities and to ensure that parents have easy access to the results of the Department of Human Services (DHS) inspections of the day care facility that they choose for their children.

Governor Signs Child Care Bill

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:50:40 PST

Governor Henry today signed into law a bill requiring Oklahoma day-care centers to carry at least $200,000 in liability insurance.