First Up (formerly DVAEYC) provides professional development, coaching, and advocacy for families, caregivers, and ECE professionals. https://t.co/ix7jOCNOL8
Dec 18, 2020 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
1/7 @FirstUpEarlyEd, @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Janel A. Work. I am the owner of Kiddie Academy and the pandemic has completely crippled our childcare centers.
2/7 Prior to the pandemic, these centers were already being run at a tight budget. However, the business generally looked sustainable. We had a waitlist for parents who wanted to enroll their children, so we thought we’d be stable.
Dec 18, 2020 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
1/8 @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Tracia, and I am the regional director of Kinder Academy Inc. As you can imagine, my work has altered since the onset of the pandemic.
2/8 To make the environment as safe as possible, I have broken up the staff and families into cohorts. This is not easy; however, I am happy to take on this task to alleviate pressure from my staff. Yet, these bubbles aren’t perfect.
Dec 18, 2020 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
1/4 @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Widalys Ruiz, owner of the Ruiz Family childcare in Lancaster. The coronavirus has impacted my business, and I want to tell you about it.
2/4 As with most childcare centers, we have experienced a drop in enrollment and income due to the pandemic. Our center used to have 10 children, but we currently have 4. Additionally, sanitation costs are adding up.
Dec 18, 2020 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
1/8 @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey Hello, my name is Antoinette Cooper. I work in an early childcare center, and the pandemic has changed my job.
2/8 The center I work at is heavily integrated with its community. In the past, many of the staff members became friends with the parents, now that capacity in the building is limited, the whole interaction has become less personal.
Dec 17, 2020 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
1/4 Join us Dec 18, as child care providers across PA to share their stories. Why? Congress has not yet passed another relief package. With low enrollment, staff scarcity, unpaid bills & no picture of what tomorrow will bring, providers don't know if their business will survive!
2/4 We need the federal government to allocate more funding to support child care programs so they can survive this crisis. Help by joining us in a state-wide story sharing event from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm so federal elected officials can hear from the Early Childhood community!
Aug 6, 2020 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
1/7 Can Each One Reach One to #SaveChildCare?
We have asked and you have answered time and time again this year. We now have a special and urgent request.....can you commit to reaching out to just ONE MORE PERSON not yet engaged and ask them to help us #SaveChildCare?
2/7 We have NOT SECURED the funding child care programs need to KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN. Both the US House and US Senate have laid out proposals to include stabilization funding and there is clear agreement among Republicans and Democrats that the success of America's economic...
Jun 30, 2020 • 4 tweets • 3 min read
1/4 Our next story: I am a #family#childcare provider in business over 8 years in PHL; also a mother of 1. My program serves 6 children from 6 weeks - school age in the W. Philadelphia and surrounding area. I employ members of the community to work in my program. #FundChildCare2/4 My program is 1 of 32 centers partnering w/ @FreeLibrary of Philly's Literacy in Early Learning Spaces project funded by @Vanguard_Group Strong Start for Kids. I've received intensive coaching & Professional Development in literacy & language development. #FundChildCare
