Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Local accessibility to resources to enhance education in the ever expanding field of early childhood care is a challenge for rural child care providers. Many resources are not affordable to individual providers and it is difficult to have a variety of resources available. As child care providers implement the quality child care standards, they need additional resources to meet those goals. It is also important to provide child care providers with a link to assistance in their child care businesses.

Response:
To provide the 11 licensed childcare centers/preschools and over 100 home childcare providers in Jones County with resources to increase learning opportunities for the children in their care, a lending library has been developed with a present inventory of 55 new educational resources and materials with an additional 53 items to be purchased within the next month. A total of $6,000 was received from the Jones County Endowment and Jones County Empowerment for resources. The library includes state-of-the-art/age appropriate educational resources and materials focused on program criteria emphasized in the Iowa Quality Rating System. Resources include books, educational toys, curriculum materials, video tapes/DVDs, activity kits, etc. Child care professionals were consulted regarding specific recommendations for resources.

The lending library is located at the Jones County Extension Office and managed by the Child Care Resource Coordinator. Usage of the lending library is tracked by a survey which accompanies each item checked out. The data will be used to further develop the program and enhance the library. Information about the lending library has been shared with providers through the child care newsletter. An open house featuring the lending library will be held in conjunction with an educational event in April 2008.

Impact:
Three centers and three home childcare providers pilot tested the lending library materials. A summary of the results of the evaluations indicate that:
•257 children have currently had access to lending library items
•All of the children responded positively to the items with 80% of the child care providers saying items were greatly enjoyed.

Child care providers responded that the lending library benefited them by:
•providing items too expensive to purchase on their own (34%)
•providing materials needed to meet guidelines (21%)
•adding variety to their program (92%) •supplementing a curriculum goal (34%)
•providing items that were safe and of good quality (92%)

The evaluation data indicates that the lending library is a valuable resource for child care providers. Respondents especially appreciated the variety of items available and the flexibility these items added to their programs. Ninety-six percent indicated that they would use the lending library in the future.

 

ISUE Team Members:
Julie Orris, Jones County Child Care Resource Coordinator, 319-462-2791, jorris@iastate.edu

 

Additional Team Members/Community Partners:
Jones County Empowerment, Jones County Endowment, Jones County Child Care Coalition

Contact:
Phyllis Zalenski
Jones County Extension
605 E Main St
Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-2791
zalenski@iastate.edu