Early Learning NH is collecting child care stories from parents to share with state leaders. Parents:

• Are you struggling to keep your job and the child care you need to keep working?
• Is your family on the wait list for state child care assistance?
• Are you worried you'll have to take your children out of their child care or afterschool program because you can't afford it?

Whatever your situation, Early Learning NH wants to hear what you're facing and wants New Hampshire's leaders to hear it, too. For example, we are concerned that being on the state child care wait list forces families to make too tough of a choice: quit working OR move their little one to an unregulated provider of uncertain quality OR send their child home alone after school. We believe that hard-working families should have the child care they need to keep working and no parent should have to choose between the child they love and the job they need. We will make sure your story is heard by those who have the power to make positive change (your U.S. or N.H. senator or representative, your mayor or selectman, the Governor, and other state leaders). Telling your story can make a real difference!

Early Learning NH is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure every child in New Hampshire has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We will not share your name or contact information without your permission.

Parent Child Care Story Form
Child Care Policy Changes Fact Sheet

We recently asked our members to tell us their public policy and advocacy prioities for Early Learning NH to focus on in this busy year. Here's a brief recap of the top four priorities voted on by our members (by % of votes received):

• Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan (20%) - work with the state to develop and redesign their bi-annual plan for reimbursement rates for child care scholarships and quality activities (for more detail on the purpose of the CCDF go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/ccdf/factsheet.htm).
• Continue Quality & Compensation Taskforce Work (19.5%) - work to develop a Quality Rating and Improvement System for NH.
• Health Insurance (19.5%) - make health care more affordable for the child care workforce.
• State Budget (18%) - continue to be involved with ensuring that the next state budget (July 2009 - July 2011) supports early childhood programs and the children and families they serve and that state agencies have adequate staffing.