Early Edge Hosts Fall 2023 Parent Advisory Group Meetings
In September 2023, Early Edge California convened meetings of its English and Spanish Parent Advisory groups, during which members participated in a discussion that delved into the complexities of child care decision-making for infants and toddlers.
The conversation yielded valuable insights into the challenges parents face and their vision for improving Early Learning and care. Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from what our Parent Advisory Group members shared:
Factors Shaping Child Care Decisions:
When asked about factors that influence(d) their decision when choosing child care for their children, parents mentioned they consider factors like proximity, age-specific programs, flexible hours, safety, affordability, communication, the value of teacher-child interactions, and cultural diversity. Trust, often built through word-of-mouth recommendations, plays a pivotal role. Many mentioned they chose Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care because of trust.
Challenges in Finding Quality Care:
When asked about challenges they faced in finding quality Early Learning and care, parents mentioned that safety concerns, limited operating hours, affordability, and a lack of accessible resources pose hurdles. Parents also mentioned they grapple with finding patient providers/teachers and navigating transportation and waitlists.
Suggestions for Better Support:
When asked what could be done better to support parents and families with their babies and young children, parents elaborated on advocating for education and awareness, social-emotional and language support, parenting classes, alternative behavior management, and accessible information. They call for more free infant/toddler programs, support for single parents, and legislative backing.
Improvements to Ensure Access:
When asked what they would improve to ensure families have access to care for infants and toddlers, parents envision extended access hours, financial support, mandatory safety training for all providers across the Early Learning and Care system, parent support groups, and extended parental leave. They also emphasized legislative support, universal, full-day programs, and tailored assistance for single parents.
These insights shed light on the intricate child care landscape for infants and toddlers, highlighting the need for holistic solutions to serve families better and ensure every child’s well-being and development.
Join our advisory group! If you are a parent interested in joining the Parent Advisory Group, please contact us at [email protected] or call (310) 695-5481.