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.

Introduction

Over 75% of American children under five now spend at least part of their day in child care. Throughout the U.S., working parents struggle to pay for care that too often fails to give children the foundation they need to succeed as learners and as individuals. At the same time, child care providers struggle to make ends meet in a profession where they earn less than parking lot attendants. Meanwhile, families in nearly every other industrialized nation reap the benefits of well-funded early care and education systems that help children make the best possible start.

As more and more states take action to build child care systems that better meet the needs of parents and children, experts are looking to model nations and communities around the globe that have made the care and education of young children a top priority. Beginning on Saturday, the Reformer examines how America and other nations care for their youngest citizens in "Investing in our children: changing child care in America."