Four- Part Series "Investing in Our Children: Changing Child Care in America" Published by the Brattleboro Reformer March 29- April 19, 2003.

By Ellen Keelan, in collaboration with Windham Child Care Association

Permission for publication elsewhere is freely granted, so long as credit is given to Ellen Keelan, Windham Child Care Association, and the Brattleboro Reformer.

4. Investing in Our Children: Vermont Lays Foundation for State Preschool System

In North Carolina, a working mother drops her one- year- old son off at a licensed child care center on the grounds of her workplace. She can focus on her job knowing that the professionals who care for him receive ongoing training, are supported by a staff of specialists, and undergo frequent evaluations on everything from fire safety to parent involvement. As a lower- wage earner, she pays only one- third of the true cost of this excellent care. Her employer - the U.S. military - picks up the rest.

With the 1989 Military Child Care Act, the Department of Defense transformed what had been by all accounts a seriously deficient and ramshackle assortment of child care facilities into America's largest and most comprehensive early care and education system.

"The military realized that by supporting families we would have a more ready force," says Michelle Spence, director of Franklin County's Early Childhood Advisory Council and a former U.S. military child care provider. "They identified what was needed, developed the infrastructure first, and then very quickly were able to implement high- quality programs." That high quality is assured through a well- organized structure that includes central sources for information and oversight, strict regulations, and family support services such as medical screenings and parent education.

By making a commitment to provide care of the highest standard to its entire community, the military acted upon what the nation's civilian population has yet to fully address - the fact that quality early care and education is both critical to young children and unaffordable to most families.

"In the U.S., unlike many other nations, early childhood is primarily the responsibility of individual families," says Dale Goldhaber, department chair of Early Childhood Programs at the University of Vermont. "The state is involved somewhat when a child has special needs or if a family is below a certain income. Families spend a lot of money on early care and education, but it's still not sufficient to cover what these programs cost. We'd have the same problem if we all had to pay for elementary and secondary education for our children. The financial base just isn't enough, so we spread it out by utilizing a broader tax base."

With American children under five now spending an average of 28 hours each week in child care, the question is no longer whether a better system is needed, but what it should look like and who should pay.

Vermont is particularly well positioned to answer those questions, say experts, thanks to its manageable size and a highly collaborative network of early care and education agencies.

"Those characteristics might help us to be one of the first states to implement universal preschool," says Debra Gass, executive director of Early Education Services in Brattleboro.

"Conceptually, Vermont is at the head of the pack," agrees Jack Shonkoff, dean of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. "It's on the short list of states that's going to be a laboratory to show other states how to get it right."

Getting it right means not just securing funding, but coordinating services to ensure that funds are targeted to address the real needs of children.

"There's a lot to be gained by having a statewide early care and education system," says Kim Friedman, Windham Child Care Association's advocacy coordinator. "When we look systemically, we're taking into consideration all the factors that influence children's well being, so that we're not looking at early care and education without also looking at the impact of welfare or parent literacy or health insurance on kids."

That process is already well underway in Vermont, thanks to a recent grant earmarked for strategic planning. With this effort, Vermont joins a growing list of states that are recognizing the need to deliver services more effectively and efficiently.

Yet without increased government funding, creating a coherent system comparable to the U.S. military's or those in place in more progressive nations such as France and Sweden may be out of reach.

"On an individual basis, very few people would say they don't support universal preschool for all Vermonters," says Friedman. "But that doesn't always translate when it comes down to spending decisions. If we're going to put our money where our mouth is, we need to look at tax policy."

That view is echoed by Vermont Rep. Bernie Sanders. "We are the richest country in the history of the world. Yet we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major nation, and early care and education is severely under- funded," says Sanders.

"The question is priorities. The House just approved $700 billion in tax breaks over a 10- year period. Hundreds of that go to the richest 1 percent of the population.

Apparently, we as a nation can afford that, but we can't afford to increase funding for child care. Yet if even a tiny percentage of that money went to child care, we could have an extraordinary system. Working people would not have to pay such a high price, and child care providers would have decent salaries and benefits and could make a career out of it. As it is, people who love children are leaving the field to work at McDonalds, and that's insane."

To help fill in the gaps, advocates are looking at creative funding sources, including low- interest loans for new programs and workforce development funds to train providers. Private sector support - currently only 1% of early care and education funding - needs to increase, say advocates, both in terms of dollars and political backing.

"The price tag is way out of reach for the private sector alone," says Ellen Pratt, Windham Child Care Association's business liaison. "But businesses are a very effective force with legislators. It's going to take their assistance to make the child care system work. They need to know that they will benefit in terms of worker productivity, future workforce, and what it means to the future of Vermont. A good early care and education system will attract businesses to Vermont, just like other infrastructure such as roads, health care, and schools."

"Vermont could be the place where people move to raise their families," agrees former Vermont education commissioner Ray McNulty. "We have to keep reminding people that it's not an expenditure, it's an investment."

And, as Gov. Jim Douglas told advocates in Montpelier recently, "If we're successful, it will be one of the best investments Vermont has ever made."