Affordable child care can make it possible for parents to work or attend school, but having a safe, nurturing place for children to learn and grow is just as important.
In a recent Workforce Solutions podcast, Gulf Coast Workforce Board Executive Director Juliet Stipeche spoke with Dr. Sharon Spillman, manager of Early Education Quality, about what quality child care looks like and why it matters to children, parents, employers and the broader community.
What Quality Child Care Looks Like
For young children, quality care goes beyond having a safe place to spend the day. Spillman explained that children need nurturing environments that support their social, emotional and academic development and help prepare them for school.
“For a child, it looks like a safe, nurturing environment where they can grow and develop,” Spillman said.
For parents, quality care provides another kind of support: confidence. Knowing that a child is being well cared for can make it easier for a parent to focus on work or school while their child is in care.
Understanding Texas Rising Star
One way families can learn more about child care quality is through Texas Rising Star, a statewide quality improvement system for child care centers.
According to Spillman, participating centers are rated on quality standards that go beyond basic licensing requirements. Programs can earn a two-, three- or four-star rating based on measures that include teacher qualifications, classroom environments, developmentally appropriate curriculum and family engagement.
These measures look at different parts of a child’s experience, from the learning environment to the people providing care.
Supporting Providers, Supporting Quality
Workforce Solutions also works directly with child care providers to help them improve and maintain quality.
Spillman described a team of mentors who work with teachers and directors at participating programs. The support can include professional development, classroom materials and curriculum designed to strengthen learning environments.
Providers can also receive financial incentives, including wage supplementation that can support teacher retention.
For Spillman, helping providers improve quality is part of creating stronger child care options for families.
Why Employers Should Care
Quality child care also has a connection to the workplace. When parents can rely on child care, they have greater confidence that their children are cared for while they work. Spillman said quality child care can help stabilize the current workforce while also supporting the development of the future workforce.
That makes child care part of a larger workforce conversation. Access to care affects a parent’s ability to work today, while the quality of early learning experiences can help children develop the skills they will eventually bring into the workforce.
“Quality child care helps to stabilize the workforce, the current workforce,” Spillman said. “It also helps to ensure that our future workforce has the skills that they need to be successful.”
For families, providers, employers and communities, the conversation about child care is therefore not only about affordability. Quality matters, too.
Watch the full episode here:
Explore in-demand careers and connect with top employers at upcoming Workforce Solutions hiring events. Register today to secure your spot and access career-building resources.
