Group’s study says infant care in short supply

The biggest unmet child care need in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties is infant care.

The shortages here and statewide are detailed in the recently released 2009 California Child Care Portfolio report, with data from 2008. It is published by the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network.
 

Evelyn Thompson, executive director of Infant/Child Enrichment Services (ICES), a Tuolumne County child care referral agency, says child care is a complex issue.

The number of children needing care is large, and, while there may be an open spot somewhere, that doesn’t mean it will match the needs of a specific family in terms of location, price, schedule and ages served, said Thompson.

Since the 2008 report was published, four child care centers opened in Tuolumne County, and three accept infants, Thompson said.

ICES refers about 500 families a year to various child care providers including state-funded preschools, in-home and general centers.

According to the report, in 2009 there were 1,346 licensed child care slots in Tuolumne County and 1,025 in Calaveras County.

Thompson said there are many unlicensed child care providers, including family members and friends of families.

“We refer people to licensed programs and license-exempt child care centers,” said ICES Program Manager Chris MacKenzie.

ICES and the Resource Connection in Calaveras County also provide subsidies to those who cannot afford child care.

In Calaveras County, The Resource Connection refers about 225 families, or 375 children, a year, said Program Director Kelly Graesch.

While 66 percent of child-care slots in Calaveras County are in centers, only 7 percent accept infants.

Graesch said, recently, two family child care homes closed in San Andreas, further compounding the problem.

Graesch said it’s not uncommon for parents to commute long distances for child care. 

“One parent lived in Angels (Camp), worked in San Andreas, and had infant care in Arnold,” Graesch said.

“It’s not just availability, it’s accessibility and then affordability,” Graesch said.

Thompson and MacKenzie said ICES regularly provides training to both licensed and unlicensed child care providers, including relatives who help with child care, since in the current economy many families are “juggling” child care. 

ICES also advises providers of changes in demand, allowing them to adjust their hours or ages served.

Columbia College’s Child Development Center will have a new facility completed this summer, college officials said. The $6.3 million building project is funded by Measure E, a $326 million general obligation bond passed by Yosemite Community College District voters.

The college’s infant center, now off-site and with slots for 12 infants, when completed will have room for 21 infants, 32 toddlers and 48 pre-schoolers, said Tiffeny Flies, child care manager and foster and kinship care education coordinator.