By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
After efforts over the last several years to increase the number of child care slots available in Ellis County, in-home child care providers are expressing concerns about filling their child care spots.
Child Care Aware, the state referral agency for child care, is still estimating a deficit of 410 child care spots in Ellis County, according to Child Care Aware data as of Wednesday.
If you are a family searching for child care, you can access Child Care Aware's search tool HERE.
The Child Care Task Force of Ellis County members on Tuesday night discussed ways to connect families needing care with providers who have open spots.
Andrea Hoss, in-home child care provider, said she once had a waiting list, but now she struggles to find children to fill her child care.
Hoss said next August she will be losing four children to kindergarten.
"It's next year that I'm really getting stressed about," she said.
Hoss said she has been in contact with two in-home providers who may be closing their businesses because they can't fill all of their spots.
"That's the biggest obstacle," Hoss said. "Most everyone has one or two open slots in my circle of people."
Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Early Childhood Connections director, said ECC has funds to partner with private child care providers to provide care to children who are on the waiting list for its programs.
The Department of Children and Family Service pays part of the cost of some spots, and ECC pays the rest.
The providers must meet requirements to participate. All the spots need to be for full-time care.
The providers retain their businesses, and the ECC contracts with providers, Hudson-Hamilton said.
Not all of the slots require the provider to be Department of Children and Family Services certified, but if providers are certified, they would be eligible to care for more children across programs, Hudson-Hamilton said.
ECC can also assist with some equipment if providers meet grant requirements, training and curriculum.
For more information on this program, call 785-623-2430 and ask for Michelle.
The child care task force is also including information in welcome buckets about the Child Care Aware Referral program.
The task force also voted to renew a marketing campaign with Eagle Communications, which will promote information about how families can find child care and how to choose a child care provider.
Two Facebook pages are managed privately for families seeking care and providers with open spots.
They are:
Ellis County KS Childcare Openings (Public group)
Ellis County (Kansas) In Home Daycare Openings (Private group)
You can also follow the child care task force on Facebook.
Grants for equipment
The task force discussed applying for grants to support providers.
Dana Stanton, child care program specialist for the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, said although foundations are willing to provide funds to support nonprofits, funds are not as available for for-profit providers.
Tori Ruder, in-home provider, said funds are needed for established providers to replace equipment.
Providers said these extra costs are beginning to fall on families.
Ruder said one local provider charges an annual enrollment fee to help cover supplies and equipment.
Hoss said she requires her families to provide a portable playpen and fitted sheet for new infants.
Sarah Wasinger, task force facilitator, said the group is working to become a partnership with the K-State 105 program.
The partnership could involve offering providers safety equipment such as carbon dioxide detectors, batteries for detectors, flashlights, first-aid kits and other safety supplies.
Finger printing
The task force is offering free fingerprinting services for childcare providers. Fingerprints are required for background checks and child care worker certification.
The next fingerprinting dates are 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Hays Welcome Center and 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall and Catering in Hays.
Monique Koerner of K-State Extension said child care providers can receive a $30 stipend if they submit their children's art to the Ellis County Fair.
The next child care task force meeting will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.
The Victoria Community Coalition has invited child care providers to a meeting on child care opportunities at St. John's Place. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Victoria VFW, 204 E. Main.
Editor's note: Eagle Communications is the parent company of the Hays Post.