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Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

  • 1.  Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-18-2020 01:15 AM
    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.

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 2.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-19-2020 02:39 PM
    My colleague and I have an interest.  lroy@nebraska.edu

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    Lisa Roy
    Buffett Early Childhood Institute
    Omaha NE
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  • 3.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-19-2020 03:24 PM
    Hi Lisa,

    Thank you for interest in getting a group together at the NAEYC Policy Forum this next week.  I will be arriving on Sunday, Feb 23 and leaving on Feb 26th.  Depending on the responses, I am thinking of trying to get the group together Monday evening at the hotel.  My cell phone number is 281-923-4162 and my e-mail address is twkaminski@sbcglobal.net.  I will send something out Saturday evening confirming the day and time.

    Thanks again.

    Tim Kaminski

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 4.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-19-2020 06:40 PM
    Great.  Thank you. 





  • 5.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-20-2020 08:55 AM
    Tim, I won't be in attendance, but will be looking forward to hearing how you make out with your questions.

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    Diana Verbeck
    Executive Director
    Danville Child Development Center
    Danville PA
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  • 6.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-20-2020 12:08 PM
    Hi Diana,

    Thanks for your reply.  I will post an update once I return from the Policy Forum next week.

    Thanks again.

    Tim

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 7.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-21-2020 11:57 AM
    I also look forward to hearing how it goes.

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    Diana Kontoyianakis
    Owner/Director
    Little Angels
    Ypsilanti MI
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  • 8.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-21-2020 12:06 PM
    Thank you Diana.  I will be posting updates while I am at the conference.

    Tim Kaminski

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 9.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-20-2020 07:42 PM
    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.

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    Catherine Awong
    Director
    Mililani Presbyterian Preschool
    Mililani, HI, USA
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  • 10.  RE: Universal Pre-K and Universal High Quality Affordable Childcare come with a High Price

    Posted 02-21-2020 12:05 PM
    Hello Catherine,

    Thank you for your reply.  I am happy to see we are reaching people from so far away.  The challenges we are experiencing in the field of ECE are the same no matter where you are located or what setting you are working in.  We all want the best for our children, but the best does cost money and you are correct even middle income families are struggling to afford child care.  Since we can't lower what it cost us to provide the care, the government has to step up and put more money into the existing subsidy programs.  That is what I will focusing on at the conference next week in D.C.  I will post updates while I am at the conference.

    Thanks again for your response.

    Tim Kaminski

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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