Quality child care comes at a cost we can't neglect

Throughout March, The Journal Gazette published multiple articles on the urgent topic of child care—from new legislation to the importance of play for young children.

I [Terri Swim] applaud the legislative recap (March 16), which acknowledged the economic reality of access to child care. Employers are struggling to keep employees who cannot find child care.

I am equally concerned, though, about the combined impact of multiple pieces of legislation and the proposed revision of educational requirements for teachers in all types of child care settings championed by the governor’s Early Learning Advisory Committee.

These changes have the potential to negatively affect children’s learning and well-being.

Read the opinion article by Terri Swim, professor of early childhood education at Purdue Fort Wayne, in The Journal Gazette. (subscription required)