November 17, 2011
New study levels criticism at area’s early childhood education providers
By Will Richmond, Herald News Staff Writer
FALL RIVER — With early childhood education setting the foundation for a lifetime of learning, a new study has found that the locations of these facilities may be setting children back.
Members of the Children’s Investment Fund and child care providers revealed the results of statewide study during a panel discussion Tuesday at the Thomas Chew Boys and Girls Club.
The study of 130 early childhood education and out-of-school-time facilities, 14 percent of which exist in the SouthCoast, found “the design and physical conditions of these spaces often pose barriers to achieving the commonwealth’s ambitious educational policy goals.”
Those barriers start with facilities trying to convert space not originally intended for child care, such as church basements or former retail space, into learning spaces. Attempts to retrofit the facilities lead to learning spaces that lack windows or poor air quality, with the report noting that 22 percent of centers statewide have carbon dioxide levels that exceed 700 parts per million.
Classrooms also become filled with background noise due to temporary walls or the absence of acoustical tiles.
Other problems include the location of sinks and toilets too far from classroom space, which impacts infection control, children’s hygiene and independence, and takes away from a teacher’s ability to be present and actively participating in classroom activities.
Problems aren’t limited to classroom spaces, with the study finding that adult work spaces were lacking.
Children’s Investment Fund Program Director Mav Pardee said that in most cases, providers are simply unable to keep up with the cost of bringing their facilities up to optimal conditions.
“Most providers make the modest improvements needed to get a license, but rarely have the significant resources to upgrade their spaces,” Pardee said.
To provide providers with funding, Pardee recommended a public funding mechanism be developed that would permit low interest, long term loans for major repairs, renovations and/or new construction for facilities that serve low income children.
Pardee also pointed to building partnerships with utility companies to create energy savings, including green energy possibilities.
Making financing available would also help to level the playing field for facilities that serve low income families, according to Bob French, the director of policy and program development for Northstar Learning Centers.
“Having some sort or public financing is critical to enabling minority non-profits to continue to play a vital role in supporting young children and have them be their best,” French said.
Having improved space has proved a boon for some facilities.
Krissy Cannizzo, an assistant director at the Westfield Child Center in Brockton, talked about the school’s recent completion of a new outdoor play space that converted space from a playground setting to an “outdoor learning center.” The new space presented children with chances to plant vegetable and butterfly gardens, allowing the school to add science lessons that weren’t previously possible.
Cannizzo said the renovation was made possible through outside funding support, because fundraising is not an option at the school, where students are there on vouchers. Such a situation often leaves providers having to juggle expenses, Cannizzo said.
“A lot of times when budgets are tight the physical environment is not a priority. You kind of have to pick your battles,” Cannizzo said.
Email Will Richmond at wrichmond@heraldnews.com.
Copyright 2011 The Herald News
URL: http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1944401568/New-study-levels-criticism-at-areas-early-childhood-education-providers