Page 51 - 2015 Compass Now

Not all preschool aged children have equal access to preschool education. Availability depends on location, EDUCATION
cost, hours of operation, and numerous other variables. Child Care Assistance Programs are designed to
assist income-eligible families in accessing quality child care by subsidizing a portion of their childcare
costs. Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) pays childcare costs for children up to age 12,
and for children with special needs until age 14. Childcare costs may be paid for qualifying families while
they go to work, look for work, or attend school. To qualify for CCAP, families must comply with child support
enforcement if applicable for all children in the family. In 2014, Minnesota counties provided childcare
assistance services for 30,339 children in an average month, with families receiving an average of $1,276
per month7.

Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program also helps families pay for child care. To be eligible, the
family’s gross monthly income must be equal to or less than 185-200% of the federal poverty level. Once
that guideline is met, a parent or caregiver is able to enroll a child if they are participating in one of the
following: unsubsidized work, high school, W-2 employment, approved employment skills training while
employed in unsubsidized work, FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) work search or work experience
activities, or are a W-2 applicant participating in job search, training, or orientation activities8.

For those who do not qualify for financial assistance, cost can be a factor in deciding whether or not to
take their child to preschool. For example, Houston County preschools charge anywhere from $85 to $195
per month. Some of Houston County’s early childhood educational opportunities are offered through Early
Childhood Family Education, which is open to all Minnesota families with children from birth to kindergarten
entrance. The program is offered through Minnesota public school districts and is based on the idea that the
family provides a child’s first and most significant learning environment. ECFE provides transportation along
regular school bus routes for participants when space is available, a reasonable sliding fee for participation
in program including waived fees for those unable to pay, and home visits to families with multiple stresses
(e.g.,no access to transportation, pregnant mothers on bedrest, first-time parents, families with several
preschool-age children). In Houston County, Spring Grove works closely with the School District ECFE
program.

Head Start is a publicly funded preschool option that provides low-income preschoolers with education,
nutrition, health, and social services at community-based settings throughout the region. During the 2012-
2013 program year, 596 children participated in Head Start in the Great Rivers Region, with 310 on waiting
lists9. It is unknown whether the children on Head Start waiting lists are able to enroll in another preschool
option or if they do not attend school at all. According to the U.S. Census, the number of families living in
poverty in the Great Rivers Region has been rising since 2000. The largest increase was in Trempealeau
County, where 4.9% of families were living in poverty in 2000, compared to 9.0% in 201210. According to
the 2009-2013 American Community Survey, 8.9% of the families in the Great Rivers Region live in poverty,
and 14.6% of families with children under the age of 18 years old live in poverty. This number points to an
increase in financially vulnerable populations in our community.

The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS), developed by a partnership of the Department
of Public Instruction, the Department of Health and Family Services, Head Start, Work Force Development,
and the Early Childhood Collaborating Partners, provides a framework of developmental expectations for
children from birth to first grade for families, professionals, and policy makers based on evidence-based
research. The WMELS are intended to reflect a comprehensive approach to child development. However, 4K
programs are not required to use the WMELS as a guideline, nor do the standards include benchmarks, a
curriculum, or assessment tools. Apart from licensing requirements of childcare centers, preschool programs
have the flexibility to design their curriculum based on their own adopted philosophy. That said, it is helpful
for parents/guardians to research 4K programs before enrolling their child to ensure they agree with the
program’s vision, mission, and methods.

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