SCSD1 board gets update about early childhood education and how the district can continue to help

By Sharon Estep

At a recent SCSD1 (Scott County School District 1) meeting, the board members heard about recent findings of research conducted on early childhood education and its benefit to children aged five and under. SCCF (Scott County Community Foundation) Executuve Director Jaime Toppe, said that around 13 yeaars ago the board of directors approached her about meeting with the Superintendents of districts 1 and 2, to see where the foundation would have the best impact. Both Superintendents at the time answered – early childhood education. With that information the foundation partnered with the United Way of Scott County to bring Dolly Imagination Library to the county. An early childhood committee was also formed to help bring resources to families. And the foundation used some funding and contracted with Dr. Melissa Fry, Director of Applied Research and Education Center at Indiana University Southeast, to create a plan.

Dr. Fry approached the board with her findings. She stated that district 1 is not tracked in the programs where she gathered her data but encouraged the board to become part of the QRIS (Quality Reading Information System) so their numbers would be included in the future. A study conducted in 2018, showed that inadequate childcare cost the state $1.8 billion, $1.1 billion was due to employee absence and turnover. Scott County's employer's loss was roughly $5 million.

A recent Ball State study showed that adding 100 childcare workers to the typical economic growth region would add 2300 women ages 35-44 and 860 ages 25-34, to the workforce. “Stable childcare equals stable workforce”. Seventy percent of children under six do not have access to high-quality childcare. Regardless of quality, the cost is well above seven percent of the median household income. The federal government recommends families spend no more than seven percent to consider it affordable.

Many households qualify for vouchers, but the waitlist limits the impact of such assistance. The state has changed some requirements for vouchers to make them more accessible, particularly for those who work in early childhood education, but also for those earning up to 185% of the federal poverty level. “Still cost and supply of quality childcare, keep it out of reach for the majority of families”.

Dr. Fry went on to say that providing quality Pre-K remains vitally important. “Being in QRIS could make your school a helpful role model for other providers in the community and could help generate the need for other providers to do the same. Advocating for quality maternal health and quality care options between birth and age 3, is also an important role”.

A committee representing diverse stakeholders and incorporating input from several listening sessions, developed a strategic plan for Scott County. There are three main components to this plan.

1. Community education and advocacy – to shift the conversation around early childhood education to one rooted and a clear understanding of the importance of birth to five and potential returns of investment on increasing supply and access to affordable; high-quality care. Shifting the thinking that all you need is a warm, adult body in a room to keep a child safe – to really understanding that what you do with that child while you're with them fundamentally shapes their adult outcomes. “It fundamentally shapes their ability to actually learn at the rate their brains can learn if it's fully developed”, explains Dr. Fry.

2.  Develop an early childhood education Director position, in Scott County, to provide backbone support while moving towards the goal of every child in the county having access to affordable, high-quality care who would coordinate various resources, align them and try to expand the supply in the county.

3. Build a high-quality early childhood education workforce pipeline. SCSD1 would have a direct role to play with supporting students learning about and identifying the early childhood pathway via opportunities here in Scott County including Schneck Medical Center's babysitting certification and training, Prosser's early childhood education program, Ivy Tech's child development associate's degree, and IUS elementary and early education programs. Making that pipeline clearer, smoother, and a pathway that can really encourage students to pursue.

Dr. Fry directed the board, “As the school district you are not just the provider of preschool programming, a recipient of the products of your community early childhood system but are stakeholders, a role model, a provision of early childhood education, and a producer of future high-quality workforce to deliver quality care. You are all of these things and you're a role model for others that provide early childhood education in the community”.

Dr. Fry encouraged the board to jump in on the SCCF early education plan to enhance access to affordable, high-quality care in Scott County.