DEL News -- January 3,2008

DEL, WSU support increased literacy among Latino child care providers

“As a young girl I never had the privilege of going to school because I always had to work. It is sad to grow up and not have an education, but it is never too late to learn.”

“My daycare has been transformed into a preschool.”

“I have better ideas. I read better. I can speak better with correct words for the ages of the children.”

-- Quotes from child care providers participating in the Spanish Literacy Project

KENNEWICK — More than 200 Spanish-speaking licensed home child care providers care for about 1,800 children in the Tri-Cities, many with limited literacy skills in either Spanish or English. Child care providers who can read and write are more current on child development issues and are able to read to children, model the importance of education and participate in developmentally appropriate activities with children in their care.

Recognizing the importance of literacy among child care providers, a community coalition led by Washington State University Franklin County Extension, Franklin County commissioners and the Department of Early Learning (DEL) Kennewick Office in March 2007 established the Spanish Literacy Project to support Spanish-speaking providers in offering quality care to children. Twenty-eight providers meet several times a week to gain basic literacy skills in their native language, as well as participate in some English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. The providers do much of their work in a computer lab, learning valuable computer skills.

The program was a major success in its first year, with providers reporting improvements in their communication with parents and the quality of their child care. Now the program is expanding. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently awarded $967,000 to WSU Franklin County Extension to create the Literacy and Educational Pathways for Latino Child Care Providers project.

The expansion will serve 40 child care providers working on their primary and secondary education. The funding also will allow 20 additional child care providers to begin coursework in early childhood education and ESL at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

“This program is an incredible way to reach out to some long-time providers in our community and support them in increasing their literacy skills, which in turn enhances the care they provide to children,” said DEL Eastern Service Area Manager Karri Livingston. “These providers are so dedicated to furthering their education and ensuring they’re able to help children in their care thrive. It really shows how committed they are to their work.”

For more information:

DEL Communications Manager Amy Blondin
360.725.4919 (office)
360.878.0628 (cell)
amy.blondin@del.wa.gov