In more than two-thirds of American families, both parents -- or a single parent -- must work outside the home. This makes affordable, accessible childcare a significant need. Childcare and early education is vital for the success of children and their families, contributing to increased financial self-sufficiency for parents and reducing societal costs for public assistance, welfare and special education.

At YWCA Hartford Region, we believe that every woman should be able to go to work, knowing her child is in good hands. We provide that assurance with affordable childcare programs that offer a safe environment while catering to the unique developmental needs of both toddlers and preschoolers and elementary school children.

YWCA's three early learning centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC takes a national leadership role in helping to set policies and advocate for early childhood education.

A Call for Excellence in Early Childhood Education - Early Years Are Learning Years

NAEYC believes that our nation is at a crossroads. We must develop an integrated system of early childhood care and education that includes comprehensive approaches that directly involve families and communities in program design, implementation, and evaluation. We can invest now in our children and families and enjoy long-term savings, with a more vibrant nation of healthy, achieving children and more stable families. Or, we can fail to make the investment and pay the price: increased delinquency, greater educational failures, lowered productivity, less economic competitiveness, and fewer adults prepared to be effective, loving parents to the next generation of children. Federal, state and local government, communities, parents and the private sector must share in the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of children and families.

*Taken from NAEYC 8/31/06

For more information on early childhood education and how you can be an advocate for assuring a strong foundation for our children and fair pay for our teachers, check out NAEYC's web site, or The After School Alliance web site.

For information on issues that impact children in Connecticut and how you can become an informed advocate for children, visit the Web site for Connecticut Voices for Children.

In Connecticut, eligible families can receive assistance in meeting the cost of childcare through the Care4kids program. Visit the Care4kids web site for more information. 

To locate a childcare provider in your area or access other helpful information for parents about childcare, visit www.childcareinfoline.org.

To find out more about care for school age children visit the The After School Alliance web site. 

Download the YWCA child care and early learning Fact Sheet.