Child Care Training in Dallas County

Problem Statement:
According to the Census Bureau report in 2002, in Iowa 71% of children under the age of six years live in a household with all parents working. The Early Care and Education Workforce Study of 2003 highlights that those who care for Iowa’s children report: low levels of education, inadequate training history, low income, lack of benefits and high turnovers. The quality and quantity of child care needs to be increase, and parents need assistance in identifying and locating quality care.

Extension’s Response:
Dallas County Extension has partnered with Dallas County Empowerment and Child Care Resource and Referral of Central Iowa to provide 1.5 FTE of staff that work with child care providers, including home and centers and preschools, to improve the quantity and quality of child care. This was accomplished by providing trainings, in-home visits and parent referrals for child care.

Impact:
Child care training that was offered during the year had an impact on more than 2,350 children from 0 through school age with such topics as Nutrition Can Be Fun, ChildNet certification training, Welcome to Child Care, Welcome to School Age Child Care, Better Kid Care, etc. Six-hundred and ten parent referrals for child care in Dallas County were given via phone, email, fax or website. At the time of the call, staff educated the parents to look for indicators of quality in child care as well as the requirements of registered and licensed day care providers. This gave parents the information that they needed to make good choices in quality care for their children. When parents have confidence in their child care choices, they are more focused and productive employees.

Contact:
Linda S. Nelson
County Extension Education Director
Iowa State University Extension - Dallas County
28059 Fairground Road
Adel, IA 50003-4406
Phone and Fax: 515-993-4281
Email lsnelson@iastate.edu