Early Childhood Focus

Standards rise for child care industry

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:24:53 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Abilene Reporter-News
By Ethan Fowler
Although more training bodes well for parents with children in licensed day care, it may cost them more money.

Childcares frustrated over new government swipe cards

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:05:15 PST

EXCERPT FROM: KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock
By Abby Reed
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - Several Lubbock daycare providers say their enrollment numbers are drastically decreasing. They blame the State's Workforce Commission Program for changes it has made in providing government assistance to low income families using daycare.

CPS Launches Childcare Background Check Website

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:00:18 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Valleycentral.com
By Action 4 News Staff
You may have seen the public service announcements from CPS called �Don�t be in the dark.� It�s a message aimed at parents, urging them to do their research before making a decision on a day care.

Officials Look to Restore Pre-k Setup

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:10:12 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Times Record News
By Ann Work
In a special session Tuesday, Wichita Falls Independent School District board members worked to restore the pre-kindergarten setup that it operated last year and expand it to include students who previously have not qualified for the district's pre-k program.

Room to Improve Texas Child Care

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:40:15 PST

EXCERPT FROM: KVUE News
By Terri Gruca
More than 11 million children younger than age 5 spend an average of 35 hours a week in some type of child care setting. It�s challenging for parents to find good quality child care and according to the latest study by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies there is room for improvement across the country and here in Texas.

Texas Association of Business, Raise Your Hand Reach Pre-K Agreement

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:28:08 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Lone Star Report
By William Lutz
The Texas Association of Business has reached an agreement with the public education lobby group Raise Your Hand on how to fund pre-Kindergarten at the state level. Given that these two groups were on opposite sides of the issue during the 2009, this is a rather noteworthy development. The deal also includes the Texas Association of School Boards, the Texas Association of School Administrators, the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition, the Texas Institute for Education Reform, and the National Childcare Coalltion

Child Care Needs More Children

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:26:48 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Daily News
By Cathy Gillentine
What�s the most important ingredient to run a day care center? Children. And children are what�s in short supply at the Texas City Day Nursery�s new center at 611 11th Ave. N.

Solutions for State's Child Care Dilemma

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:47:29 PST

EXCERPT FROM: News 8 Austin
By Heidi Zhou
Shortchanging Child Care (Part 5): The last four parts of this series have examined problems in Texas' complex child care system, and in part five, we explore solutions.

Gov. Programs Put High Quality Child Care in Jeopardy

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:28:09 PST

EXCERPT FROM: News 8
By Heidi Zhou
Shortchanging Child Care (Part 2): Starting a child care business in Texas is a gamble in more ways than one. Not only do daycare owners risk failing, they might also have to get their hands dirty in a place like the River City Bingo Hall in Austin.

Texas Children vs. Child Care System

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:41:21 PST

EXCERPT FROM: News8Austin
By Heidi Zhou
Estella Cruz and Maya Gray have yet to reach their first birthdays.

State Considers Tougher Child Care Requirements

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:55:05 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Texas Tribune
By Sarah Acosta
Imagine 30 toddlers � their piles of toys, their penchants for light sockets and mess-making, their cries over boo-boos and wailing for snacks. Now imagine that just you and one other person are responsible for their well-being.

Fingerprint Part of Latest Advancement in Childcare Security

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:01:21 PST

EXCERPT FROM: KCBD News
By Ben Lawson
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - Your fingerprint is one of the latest developments in childcare security, and now it's being used here in Lubbock. The system caught our attention while we were doing another story.

Local Child Care Center Receives Monies for Educational Materials and Equipment

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:13:55 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Marlin Democrat
By STAFF
Mother Goose Day Care Center owner Lisa Erskine knows the value of quality early care and education.

Texas Boosts Child Care Subsidies

Thu, 27 May 2010 11:29:35 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Dallas Morning News
By Robert T. Garrett
AUSTIN � While some states curtail low-wage workers' subsidies for child care, Texas has avoided cuts, the Texas Workforce Commission said Monday.

Publishers Want Piece of Pre-K Update Action

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:29:23 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Chronicle
By Jennifer Radcliffe
Nearly a dozen publishers are trying to win the state's approval to offer updated classroom materials for pre-kindergartners � another effort to increase the quality of education for Texas' youngest students.

CCISD to Close Child Care in December

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:21:17 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Killeen Daily Herald
By Jackie Stone
COPPERAS COVE � With state funding falling off and paid enrollment decreasing, Copperas Cove Independent School District has decided to end its day care program for employees and students.

Agency Expands Child Care Assistance Eligibility

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:41:32 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Plainview Daily Herald
By The PDH
The Workforce Solutions South Plains Board of Directors recently approved new income eligibility guidelines for child care assistance provided by the agency.

Stimulus Money Helps Working Parents Pay for Child Care

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:35:25 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Beaumont Enterprise
By JEMIMAH NOONOO
Jasmine Fontenot once worked two jobs to pay her son Jadyn's weekly child care costs.

Polar Express Run Benefits Childcare Training, Services

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:13:26 PST

Progress staff reports--The upcoming Friday and Saturday runs of the Polar Express, departing the Texas State Railroad�s Palestine depot at 5:30 p.m. each day, will benefit the Anderson County Champions for Children.

Midway Program Helps Special-needs Children Prepare for Kindergarten

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:40:51 PST

There is important work being done on Melonie Cox�s classroom floor.