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Editor:
The University of Arizona recently instituted a financial assistance program which assists eligible families in paying for work and/or school related child care costs. Families who qualify may choose child care that meets their needs from existing, state-licensed centers in our community. The university reimburses these families for a percentage of out-of-pocket expenses for this care. By providing assistance in this manner, the university is recognizing its important role in helping employees with the costs of coming to work.
Employees have access to a $100,000 pot while university students have access to $5,000. Even though this is new program, the disparity is compelling. I urge the university community to look hard at this issue. University students certainly can demonstrate a need in this arena. Children are our future and must be supported especially in the critical formative years. The latest study finds that children need at least two years of quality preschool education before entering kindergarten. Quality child care is directly tied to child-staff ratio, group size and teacher training. All of these components are costly. Parents cannot shoulder this burden along.
All children ought to have access to a caring, nurturing, and stimulating first start and as a community we all have the responsibility to ensure that this happens. It does, indeed, take a village.
I applaud the UA for its attempt to address this issue. The UA has taken a first step in setting a standard for others to follow in our community. Keep up the good work!
Margie Butler
owner/director
West University Childrenās School
Second Street Childrenās School
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