Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Child care providers face many unique training and financial issues. The most effective way to make changes in the quality of child care is to provide a comprehensive approach toward child care training. The mission of Project REACH—is to provide educational support to home daycare providers in Henry County

•  To enhance the child's development and readiness for school.
•  To provide professional support to the child care provider.
•  To increase the awareness and utilization of existing community resources for child care providers, children, and their families .
•  To increase the knowledge, understanding, skills, and positive attitudes of child care providers living in rural Henry County .
•  To build networks of communication and support among child care providers, parents, and community early childhood professionals.
•  To increase over-all professionalism within the child care industry and thereby advancing the value of the industry to society as a whole.

Response:
The project REACH coordinators meet consistently with childcare providers in Henry County . Through their work with the childcare providers, the coordinators realized that many childcare providers needed concise accurate financial and record keeping information to run their programs effectively and efficiently.

Impact:
In the fall of 2006, 25 childcare providers attended a total of 4 hours of organizational training targeted specifically to childcare providers. The course focused primarily on planning, contracts, getting organized, record keeping, identity theft, retirement planning, insurance, cash flow statements, etc. Workshop evaluations have been very positive and participants reported that they gained tools and ideas that will help them with their business and personal life.

Typical comments have included:
*I will make packets to have ready for new parents.
*I now know how to figure my time/space formula for my tax records.
*I will be sure to check my insurance policy and compare it with other policies.
*I am going to re-organize current, data and re-evaluate current forms.
*I am going to make changes in my policies concerning providers paid vacation days and parent deposits.
*Loved it! Very informative and interesting.
*The session provided lots of information to keep, legal information organized and safe.
*I need to change my drivers license ID tomorrow to protect myself against fraud.
*I now have a much better understanding of identity theft.
*I am going to be a lot more leery in regards to giving my SSN and be more aware I need to watch for credit card fraud.
*I will check my credit report and I will file information in a safer place.

 

Contact:
Mary M. Weinand
Family Resource Management Field Specialist
2606 West Burlington Ave.
Fairfield , IA 52556
Jefferson County
641/472-4166