Spring Break
Budget cuts may stall child care
Care beneficial to faculty, staff
CAROLYN CRIST
Issue date: 10/14/08 Section: News
When University employees ask about local child care, Kay refers them to the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, housed in Athens, for information on home care facilities and early learning centers.
Adams and Burgess began talking to Flo Wilkes, owner of Oconee Preschool Academy in Watkinsville, in July to promote her business to faculty, staff and students as a "preferred provider" if she offered a tuition sliding fee scale based on family income.
Due to budget cuts the University has not been able to confirm financial and nominal support of her, but Wilkes announced last week she would offer the sliding fee scale to University staff and faculty, as well as transportation if needed.
Both Oconee County child development centers are seven miles from campus.
"The state revenue continues declining, and the University will probably have to come up with more budget cuts," she said during a phone interview. "I think I should get the word out now that I can offer the scaled tuition for awhile."
Joe Dennis, a journalism professor, said he struggled to find child care in 2007 when his daycare provider's home had to close due to fire damage. He said an on campus child care provider would be well received.
"I have no doubt it would be used, especially if they're able to make it affordable to staff members who don't earn as much as faculty members do," he said. "Maybe not initially because people like myself who have kids and have a place where they're happy may not pull their kids from there, but employees with new kids or new employees would definitely use it."
"Another thing that would be beneficial, for those of us who use a home daycare where one caregiver may get sick or go on vacation, something on campus that allows for a one-day or one-week dropoff."
Adams and Burgess began talking to Flo Wilkes, owner of Oconee Preschool Academy in Watkinsville, in July to promote her business to faculty, staff and students as a "preferred provider" if she offered a tuition sliding fee scale based on family income.
Due to budget cuts the University has not been able to confirm financial and nominal support of her, but Wilkes announced last week she would offer the sliding fee scale to University staff and faculty, as well as transportation if needed.
Both Oconee County child development centers are seven miles from campus.
"The state revenue continues declining, and the University will probably have to come up with more budget cuts," she said during a phone interview. "I think I should get the word out now that I can offer the scaled tuition for awhile."
Joe Dennis, a journalism professor, said he struggled to find child care in 2007 when his daycare provider's home had to close due to fire damage. He said an on campus child care provider would be well received.
"I have no doubt it would be used, especially if they're able to make it affordable to staff members who don't earn as much as faculty members do," he said. "Maybe not initially because people like myself who have kids and have a place where they're happy may not pull their kids from there, but employees with new kids or new employees would definitely use it."
"Another thing that would be beneficial, for those of us who use a home daycare where one caregiver may get sick or go on vacation, something on campus that allows for a one-day or one-week dropoff."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 10
Winfield J. Abbe
posted 10/14/08 @ 8:12 AM EST
Here is a suggestion to those who would have the state provide child care on campus at the expense or partial expense of taxpayers: If you do not have time to work and raise children, then quit your job and raise the children. (Continued…)
UGAChemDawg
posted 10/14/08 @ 3:01 PM EST
Having children is a choice and if making that choice means that you'll end up not being able to work as often or advance your career as much as you would be able to if you had chosen to not have children, then that's just too bad. (Continued…)
annoyed
posted 10/14/08 @ 3:37 PM EST
Winfield J Abby is an ignorant SOB who doesn't even deserve the attention of people replying to his comments. Every time i see his name i just pass over it because i know it comes from a piece of trash, ignorant being that doesn't even deserve to pass on his opinions and judgement and should probably just die. (Continued…)
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