Congregations Caring for Children

Child Care Statement of Principles

Child Care Statement of Principles

Child Care Statement of Principles

Child Care Statement of Principles

Child Care Statement of Principles

(Endorsed by the California Council of Churches and Catholic Charities of California*)

For nearly three decades, parents, educators, and business and community leaders have

become increasingly concerned about the lack of quality child care available to most

families.  Good child care promotes children's well being and later success in school and

is essential for working parents in a growing, productive economy.  It is time for us to

ensure quality, affordable, accessible child care for all.

To meet our child care needs, we agree to the following:

1. All children are entitled to quality child care.  Research has shown conclusively that

good child care promotes children's well being and later success in school.  A wide 

spread commitment of resources is necessary to ensure that quality care becomes a

reality.

2. All families are entitled to affordable child care.  Child care costs are a concern for

families of all incomes.  Federal, state, and local government must commit significant

resources to address the child care needs of families.

3. More places for children in child care are needed.  Demand for child care has never

been greater.  Every child in need of child care should be accommodated.

4. Child care workers must be paid a livable wage with incentives for professional

development.  Studies show that quality child care depends on good, long term relation 

ships between children and well trained child care providers.  However, many child care

workers receive poverty level wages and have no incentive to further their training.

Children will not receive quality care until workers earn a decent wage and receive high 

quality training.  Compensation must be linked to professional development.

5. School age children must have quality child care options.  FBI data suggest that

latchkey children of all income groups are at risk for truancy, risk taking behavior and

substance abuse.  Steps must be taken to develop safe, affordable, before  and after 

school programs for children.

6. The business community has an important role to play in improving child care.

Studies show that child care problems affect worker recruitment, productivity and

retention.  Employers should take steps to help address the child care needs of their

workforce.

7. Government, private industry, educators, nonprofit organizations and parents must

commit to a partnership to improve the child care options for all families.  The child care

problems this country faces are so deeply embedded that our collective energies, brain

power and resources will be necessary to solve them.

From Opening a Window on Child Care, A Report on the Status of Child Care in the Nation Today

by the National Council of Jewish Women, 1999.

*For a complete list of endorsers, see Section X

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