Partnerships - a Component of Quality Care

By Catherine M. Pruissen

Once of little concern outside the family, the care and early education of young children has become a high priority in the world of businesses.

Quality child care, or the lack thereof, affects parents' peace of mind and, consequently, their performance on the job and/or their ability to maintain a reasonable attendance record. When families can successfully meet their child care needs, both business and society benefit through a more productive work force today and a more informed one for tomorrow.

From the moment they are born, children are learning the critical cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills they need for later success in life. The successful development depends on the quality of a child's early experiences, whether these occur while the child is in the care of the parents . . . or someone else. Poor-quality care can hamper what and how well children learn, their readiness for formal schooling, and their future success in school, at work and as citizens.

Policies that help children develop and provide peace of mind for parents produce additional benefits that accrue to society at large. A more productive work force can mean not only higher wages and an improved bottom line but also a more competitive national economy. Supporting the institution of the family and rebuilding some of the "social capital" lost within some families are worthy objectives that can help strengthen the very fabric of society.

Ensuring the readiness of young children for school and for life goes beyond family responsibily and requires a full-fledged partnership among families, the community, private-sector institutions (including businesses and foundations), and the government.

Partnerships

Partnerships is listed as the 7th component of quality child care, in the National Statement On Quality Child Care, a publication of the Canadian Child Care Federation and Welfare Canada.

"Quality child care serves the best interest of children and families in a partnership of parents, professionally trained care providers, all levels of government, training institutions, and provincial and territorial and national organizations who carry out complimentary responsibilities."

By empowering parents with non-biased, high-caliber information we are giving them the knowlwdge they need to be able to recognize the difference between a quality caregiver or facility and a poor one, and the confidence to make an informed choice for their family.

In our Library Files and our Exclusive Products we teach parents to look for those facilities and caregivers who work in partnership with local, provincial and national organizations. Your partnership with child care organizations and facilities in your local community and country, shows your dedication in supporting the families you serve and the employees who help you prosper. It also shows that you believe in putting the power to choose in the hands of those to whom it rightfully belongs, the parents.

Please be an active partner. Take the time to ensure your organization is listed in our Registry or our Valuable Links section. It's another way we can help "Strengthen child care one visitor at a time."