Child Care Collective Bargaining Act Clears MN House | Early Childhood and Youth Development C

March 8, 2013 - PRLog -- St. Paul, MN – Earlier this evening March 7, 2013, legislation authorizing home-based child care providers to bargain collectively with the State of Minnesota was passed in the Early Childhood and Youth Development Committee.  This legislation would improve care for children and make it more affordable for working parents.

"The future of Minnesota depends on our creating an environment where our children can grow to their full potential", said Joe Mullery, (DFL-Minneapolis) Chair of the House Early Childhood and Youth Development Committee.  "We have an opportunity to work with an organization that will engender professionalism and job security for child care providers, while also teaching care providers the most up to date techniques for helping children develop their brains and bodies, while keeping care affordable.”

This bill includes both licensed and legally unlicensed providers who receive subsidies from the Child Care Assistance Program because all children need to be prepared for school and success in life.

Lynn Barten, a child care provider from Alexandria, MN said, “I educate the children in my care by creating a safe environment in my home where children are set up for success and learn lifelong skills. I am always trying to make my program better and the child care union helps me with that.”

“Licensed and legally unlicensed child care providers care for MN's kids and each of these kids deserve the best.  Soon I will be a legally unlicensed child care provider and I will continue to provide quality care,” added child care provider Karla Scapanski.

Half of Minnesota’s children are not prepared for kindergarten and many are living in poverty with poor nutrition.  To address these urgent problems, the state needs to help more children eat and learn in the homes of family child care providers.  Ensuring that providers have direct input on the state’s child care system will help the state close the achievement gap and better prepare children for school.

Visit our website at http://www.ccptmn.org
Check out this video about home daycare providers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKrI9fhoaE&feature=youtu.be