Aloha Tim,
I really wish I could be there in DC to stand with you and address these concerns. I am a director at a small faith-based school. I agree that we will be put out of business. The faith-based schools are especially vulnerable, since oftentimes federal and state money is not always available to us due to separation of church and state.
Here in Hawai`i, the push is for Universal Preschool in the public schools. I think this is the worst possible outcome for our preschoolers. I know that these classes would not be developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners. I have seen instances where teachers are moved from upper grades down to Pre-K. We all know itʻs a different skill set that is required to work with our little ones.
I think that one thing that needs attention is the "poverty level". Itʻs 2020, and many people who were once considered above that level are barely squeezing by. Yes, those at or below poverty level need subsidized preschool tuition, but so do those at the lower middle income bracket. What can be done to help those people?
Please know that my prayers are with you and anyone that stands with you! Let the questions flow, and letʻs see what kinds of answers we get.
------------------------------
Catherine Awong
Director
Mililani Presbyterian Preschool
Mililani, HI, USA
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2020 01:14 AM
From: Tim Kaminski
Subject: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price
There is a high price to pay for Universal "Free" Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare. Our family has been in the early childhood education "business" for over 38 years. I have personally been in the industry as a director and owner for the past 12 years. I have constantly heard the demands for improving the quality of ECE programs and the compensation for the people that work in this industry without seeing any significant moves in increasing the current federal and state subsidy programs that are suppose to help families access the high quality programs that I already provide. The "Power To the Profession" initiative will turn the entire ECE industry upside down and put family owned ECE businesses like mine and yours out of business. If we can't currently get correctly compensated for what we are already doing, what makes anyone think the government is going to come up with additional monies to give to us directly to pay higher salaries and assist families to pay or childcare that will cost even more with the proposed changes. I will be attending the NAEYC Policy Forum in DC next week to ask the tough questions that are either not being asked at not being answered by the NAEYC leadership. How much are these changes going to cost our businesses and families, and where is the money going to come from to pay for it. If you are an ECE business owner or a director and have these same concerns I would like to try to get a group together on Sunday or Monday evening the conference to discuss. If interested let me know and I will make arrangements for a meeting at the conference hotel.
------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX
------------------------------