According to U.S. Census data, about 1 in 5 Texas families surveyed suffered from child care interruptions between August and March.
A Census survey of households with young children found that families are unable to send their children to daycare centers because of closures, high costs, lack of options and safety concerns. It is being
The numbers reflect research from the state's early education and care advocates, who emphasize that a child's future success is determined by their development during the first five years of life.
But new school readiness data shows Texas isn't doing enough to set kids up for success ahead of kindergarten.
Advocates say health insurance, access to quality child care, food insecurity rates and family interactions play important roles in children's performance when they start school.
“If a toddler goes to bed hungry, misses a doctor's appointment, or sits in front of the TV all day because their parents work and can't find quality child care, We know that children are more likely to struggle,” said Peter Clark, spokesperson for Texans Care for Children.
Today, the statewide nonprofit advocacy organization released an update to its dashboard that takes a closer look at how Texas supports youth in their first five years of life.
More than 8 in 10 children under the age of 6 from low-income families in Texas live in child care centers, according to the dashboard. Areas are flagged when there are not enough providers to meet the needs of working parents.
Kim Coughron, senior director of education for the Houston-based nonprofit Children at Risk, said child care can cost as much or more than a degree at a public university in Texas. He said that there is a sex.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Women's Affairs estimates that the median annual cost of center-based early childhood care in Dallas County last year was about $11,033, or about 14.6 percent of median household income.
Coffron added that depending on location, infant care can cost more than $18,000 a year.
As providers in large cities face higher rents or have to offer competitive wages to educators, the cost of keeping their doors open often jumps into tuition.
Those eligible for financial aid remain on long waiting lists.
More than 90,000 people are on the waiting list for child care assistance in Texas, said Cody Somerville, executive director of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.
“While many other states invest state funds in child care, Texas chooses to invest the minimum amount required by the federal government,” Somerville said. “This leaves children and families in very difficult circumstances.”
Texas has one of the highest uninsured rates for young children in the nation, with approximately 200,000 children under the age of 6 without health insurance, according to census data. They also rank 50th in the percentage of children in their age group whose parents read to them every day.
Clark said his group's dashboard emphasizes the importance of parents' role in ensuring their children succeed, but also recognizes the responsibility of legislators to support Texas families. He said there was.
“If the Legislature wants students to be good readers by third grade, succeed in high school, and go on to college, we need to address the first five years of a child's life,” Clark said. “It needs to be part of the state's strategy.”
Last year, lawmakers expanded Medicaid postpartum health coverage for mothers. Authorized an additional $63 million for early childhood intervention services for young children with disabilities. and pushed for a $65 million increase in child abuse and neglect prevention programs.
But supporters, building momentum ahead of next year's legislative session, say more needs to be done.
For example, Texans Care for Children aims to advance policies that establish a national funding pool to offset costs for child care providers, including educator wages, and find ways to close the gap in child care deserts. I hope for more.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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