• Research indicates that the early years (0-5) lay the foundation for all future learning and development
• Research shows that up to 90% of brain development occurs during this time period
• Child care is one of the major expenses for working families and in some instances can exceed a year’s in-state tuition and related fees at four year public colleges
• The Parents and the High Cost of Child Care: 2012 Report ranked New York among the 10 least-affordable states for full-time center-based infant care in 2011, as well as for full-time care for a 4-year-old in a center (www.naccrra.org)
• Costs range from $140 - $190 per week in Chautauqua County, according to the Chautauqua County Child Care Council
• Child Care subsidies are provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and family eligibility is based on income, reasons for needing day care, and each child's age and individual needs
• Families that are eligible for child care subsidies pay approximately 30% of the cost of care
• However, those on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are guaranteed child care at no cost
• The chart below shows the total yearly expenditures for child care subsidies 

Source: Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services

 

• According to economist and Nobel Laureate Dr. James Heckman, the return on investment in early education is 16%
• For further info about Dr. Heckman and his economic models and ROI arguments for investing in early childhood learning see   http://www.childrenofthecode.org/interviews/heckman.htm
• By extrapolating data from the American Community Survey 2011 there are more than 3,000 households in Chautauqua County with a potential need for child care services
• Statistics from the Chautauqua Child Care Council show the following licensed and registered child care slots available in Chautauqua County: 

Source: COI – Chautauqua Child Care Council

 

• There was a net loss of 101 child care slots in Chautauqua County between 2011 and 2013 (Chaut. Child Care Council)
• For rural parents, finding wrap around programs for their children who attend Universal PreK is problematic as the majority of child care centers are located in the urban areas
• Working parents also struggle with care when children are ill, finding before and after school care and care givers for school vacations and half days
• There is only one accredited child care center in Chautauqua County and that is the child care center at SUNY Fredonia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: COI – Chautauqua County Child Care Council – Annual Report 2012

 

The licensed child care centers located in Chautauqua County  are primarily located in the larger cities and towns and include:

Agri-Business Child Development, Fredonia
Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, Fredonia
Campus and Community Children's Center Inc. - UPK, Fredonia
Campus and Community Children's Center, Inc., Fredonia
Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, Mayville
Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, Falconer
Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, Mayville
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., Dunkirk
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., Kennedy
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., Jamestown
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., Jamestown
Chautauqua Opportunities Inc, Dunkirk
Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., Westfield
First Presbyterian Church-A Children's Place Day Care, Jamestown
Lake Shore Family Center, Irving
Little Seeds Preschool South, Jamestown
YMCA Heritage House Child Care Center, Jamestown
Young Women's Christian Association of Jamestown, N.Y.   
YWCA Preschool Day Care Center, Westfield
Zion Covenant Church, Jamestown

 

• Head Start, which is operated by Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI) provides comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families
• Since 1995 an Early Head program serves children from birth to 3 years of age
• Both programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children enrolled
• The funded enrollment for Head Start was 502 and for Early Head Start and Early Head Start Start was 82
• After sequester cuts, funding for enrollment for Head Start dropped to 425 and remains at 82 for Early Head Start
• There is a growing body of knowledge which demonstrates that when children receive quality child care, they enter school prepared for success