Win Gruening’s column published in Sunday’s paper, while difficult to read, is not wholly inaccurate.
In referring to public school testing proficiency, we in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field are well aware of the dismal numbers. The ones that concern us the most are the Developmental Profile Scores that test students entering kindergarten. They test across all of the developmental domains from Physical (gross, fine motor) to Social Emotional (just ask any kindergarten teacher how vital this set of skills is to student success) to Communication, Language and Literacy.
What current scores indicate is that many children in Juneau enter kindergarten unprepared across 13 developmental areas. What is the likelihood that those kindergarteners are the same students who continue to test low on the PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools) throughout their public school careers? Statistically, it is much more difficult for children to catch up, and the first five years of life the foundation for all future learning is being established. Current research in neuroscience and human development support this. We are oftentimes the first community-based contact outside the home aside from a child’s pediatrician, and we are in an ideal position to observe, assess and refer young children for early intervention. We can partner with local agencies so that children and families can receive services. It is my belief that if every childcare program in Juneau were of the highest quality (overall goal of Best Starts) we would greatly reduce special education funding over the long-term. Early intervention is more effective both cost and outcome wise.
In regard to the lack of qualifications among local childcare providers to teach preschool, I got a bachelor’s of science in a degree that is not related to teaching preschool and I went to grad school in the same field as my undergraduate degree at an engineering school. Does this qualify me to teach preschool? Absolutely not, although I would like to think that my affinity for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), based on my education is a qualifier. I did take some relevant classes (Marriage and the Family, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Child &Adolescent Development) and Tech Writing &Editing proved pertinent when it came time to write my policies and procedures manuals. I have since obtained university credits in Early Childhood Education every year, along with hundreds of hours of training. Does that qualify me to teach preschool? No.
What qualifies one to teach preschool isn’t something that is learned in a classroom. It is a culmination of the skills, experiences and classroom insight that is gained year after year from face time with young children, partnerships with families and connections to community agencies. It is a relationships-based skillset that is honed over years of practice, intention and implementation. What does this have to do with Best Starts? Turnover rates in childcare programs (many of which are offering preschool services) is a direct barrier. Low wages, high stress and lack of support are all causes for the high turnover and this directly impacts the development of highly qualified child care/preschool teachers. In order to mentor a teacher toward highly effective classroom engagement with the end goal being positive short- and long-term outcomes, we need them to stick around. Directors citywide are challenged by the unenviable task of balancing funding with program quality.
Children in our community are already spending a large portion of their day in the existing programs. Why not make an investment that is designed to improve quality across the board for every child?
Perhaps we have collectively failed to clearly articulate what is happening in childcare programs throughout Juneau, but I can assure you that it is a worthy investment with achievable short- and long-term gains. We don’t want a blank check. We want a healthier community, we want healthy children and families. We want a stable workforce, high quality programs, short- and long-term positive outcomes and the ability to look around and know that regardless of socioeconomic background, race, religion and geography that every child we meet has been read to before they start kindergarten, has held crayons, pencils and scissors, has had the opportunity to develop social emotional skills, has been supported in their development and has been given the Best Start.
• Samantha Adams was the co-owner and operator of TLC Child Care.
