WHRO Center for Regional Citizenship

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Business

What can the business community do to support quality early childhood education (ECE)?

• Examine your firm’s family-friendly business practices and improve them if necessary

• Adopt-a-Center (lend your business expertise and financial support for working toward accreditation and quality ratings)

• Partner with Centers to provide employer-sponsored child care

• Provide employees with opportunities to learn about quality early childhood education: offer on-site parent training (Lunch-N-Learn); include information in staff newsletters, paychecks, etc.; create an employee tool kit and benefits package to support employees with children (family-friendly policies, subsidized childcare options, guide to local resources)

• Invest in education for teachers

• Join the Business Council

• Vote on children’s issues
   

Resources

• Child & Family Services of Eastern Virginia - Early Childhood Initiatives

• Early Childhood Care and Education: A Key to Economic Vitality and Educational Success in South Hampton Roads

• The Economic Impact of the Child Care and Early Education Industry in South Hampton Roads

• Economic Policy Institute - Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal, and Social Benefits of Investment in Early Childhood Development 

• Families and Work Institute

• National Economic Development & Law Center

• The Norfolk Foundation

• Smart Beginnings – Ready for School, Ready for Life

• Smart Start: The North Carolina Partnership for Children

• Square One: Children’s Health and Well-being in Hampton Roads
  (September 2005)

• Voices for Virginia’s Children

• Who’s Caring for Our Children? A Profile of the 2005 Workforce in Licensed and Voluntary Registered Centers and Homes in South Hampton Roads