Published: November 02, 2009 10:04 pm      

Candidates discuss child care options

EDMOND — Lt. Gov. Jari Askins says she encourages the development of employer day care centers in Oklahoma. Employee productivity and absenteeism improves by investing in child care, Askins said.

Increasing numbers of low-income working families rely on the state child care subsidy programs for the flexibility to work while raising children, according to the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy. The annual cost for child care has increased 33 percent since 1999, making it close to the cost of college tuition.

“We are making some progress but we have further to go because we have working parents who cannot afford to put their children into those facilities,” Askins said. “The cost is prohibitive.”

Askins and state Attorney General Drew Edmondson recently discussed balancing cost and quality while ensuring qualified teachers care for youngsters while their parents are at work.

Both Democrats, the 2010 gubernatorial candidates spoke at the 2009 Fall Legislative Forum on Children’s Issues at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Republican Congresswoman Mary Fallin and state Sen. Randy Brogdon did not attend the discussion with candidates for governor.

There are different levels of commitment by different day care operators, Askins said. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services offers a ratings system of child care facilities through its online Child Care Locator at www.okdhs.org.

Edmondson commended Gov. Brad Henry for the emphasis he has placed on early childhood education. State law mandates that each school district must offer early childhood education. Still, more schools in the state need to be offering pre-kindergarten programs, Edmondson said. The program also should be expanded to 3-year-olds, both candidates said.

“Our education department has been working hard to educate legislators that this is not about becoming a nanny state,” Askins said. “This is about helping our children to have the best opportunity to succeed.”

Oklahoma is ranked at the top for the availability of pre-kindergarten programs in the state, Edmondson said. Teachers must qualify for early childhood teaching. Children participating in early childhood education do better in school, graduate from school, and are less likely to begin substance abuse, Henry said.

“That’s nothing but good choices here in the state of Oklahoma,” he said. “We also need more preschool and after-school programs to help working parents deal with their children.”

Oklahoma provides a subsidy for day care, but parents lose their eligibility if they get a $5 raise beyond what the subsidized day care eligibility standards allow, he said.

“The cause for day care then out-weighs what you’re making at your job. We need to expand that last step to where a $5 raise doesn’t kick you out of eligibility until you’re making enough money. It’s in your dollars and sense to stay at work — not go off the job — to continue being a taxpayer instead of being a tax receiver,” he said.



jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114