By Jim Reece - Child care and early education is worth a reported 5 Million dollars in Amador County, according to a recent report by the Amador Child Care Council. Joyce Stone, manager of Amador Child Care Council told the Amador County Board of Supervisors last week that the early childcare and education industry "enables parents to go to work or school or train to go into the workforce" and it also prepares children to be ready for life. She said the benefits of childhood education prepare kids for higher education and help ensure a future workforce. Studies show that children entering education at a young age increase worker productivity at a later age. The study estimated that the industry generates 5 million dollars in Amador County, Stone said, noting that 4.9 millions was a conservative estimate and 1.2 million dollars was spent in the county for family childcare. Stone told the board that "quality early care and education is critical to the economic health of Amador County," and that "demand greatly exceeds supply of quality child development opportunities for young children in the county." A shortage of facilities inhibits labor force participation and reduces opportunities for low-income residents seeking to upgrade their skills. The report recommended that business, government, the early childhood education industry, and the public work together to make early care and education part of the county's economic development. The report said that the industry provides 217 full-time equivalent workers in Amador County, more than are employed in construction in the county. The industry is a critical support for the current workforce. Anne Platt, CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital said in the report that "the availability of quality and affordable child care is very important to staff at Sutter Amador Hospital." Stone told Supervisors that through the study, the Amador Childcare Council hopes "we can expand the number of available child care facilities in the county through working with government and the business sector."
Tuesday, 23 September 2008 01:41
Early Childhood Education $4.9 Million Industry in Amador County
By Jim Reece - Child care and early education is worth a reported 5 Million dollars in Amador County, according to a recent report by the Amador Child Care Council. Joyce Stone, manager of Amador Child Care Council told the Amador County Board of Supervisors last week that the early childcare and education industry "enables parents to go to work or school or train to go into the workforce" and it also prepares children to be ready for life. She said the benefits of childhood education prepare kids for higher education and help ensure a future workforce. Studies show that children entering education at a young age increase worker productivity at a later age. The study estimated that the industry generates 5 million dollars in Amador County, Stone said, noting that 4.9 millions was a conservative estimate and 1.2 million dollars was spent in the county for family childcare. Stone told the board that "quality early care and education is critical to the economic health of Amador County," and that "demand greatly exceeds supply of quality child development opportunities for young children in the county." A shortage of facilities inhibits labor force participation and reduces opportunities for low-income residents seeking to upgrade their skills. The report recommended that business, government, the early childhood education industry, and the public work together to make early care and education part of the county's economic development. The report said that the industry provides 217 full-time equivalent workers in Amador County, more than are employed in construction in the county. The industry is a critical support for the current workforce. Anne Platt, CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital said in the report that "the availability of quality and affordable child care is very important to staff at Sutter Amador Hospital." Stone told Supervisors that through the study, the Amador Childcare Council hopes "we can expand the number of available child care facilities in the county through working with government and the business sector."
