This letter is in response to the letter in the Free Lance
regarding the
”
Moratorium affecting new day care facility.
”
The letter states
”
The 1999 San Benito County Childcare Needs Assessment stated
that 2,156 income eligible children may be underserved.
”
It also states
”
there is a shortage of day care in San Benito, especially for
low income families.
”
This letter is in response to the letter in the Free Lance regarding the “Moratorium affecting new day care facility.”
The letter states “The 1999 San Benito County Childcare Needs Assessment stated that 2,156 income eligible children may be underserved.” It also states “there is a shortage of day care in San Benito, especially for low income families.”
Not only is the figure for children in need staggering, but also the statement that there is a shortage of day care here is incomprehensible. If there are these many children in need of childcare, then why are there so many vacancies among the existing childcare facilities in Hollister?
A very large percent of the 100 plus childcare providers in San Benito provide care for the “income eligible children,” yet many have vacancies. Why? Because they are not getting referrals to their facility. And if this new facility can only serve an additional 50 children, how does it meet the needs of the remaining 2,106 children?
The letter also states that the building is for a nonprofit organization. When the budget is cut and the supplemental funding is limited or non-existent, then will it be a for-profit organization? Or will it be used for the universal preschool? I would like to know the demographics of where the needs are.
The economics have changed dramatically since 1999. Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate is the highest in the state, which directly affects Hollister.
Quality child care is vitally important to all families, and given the opportunity, I know of several quality child care providers that are very willing and able to meet their needs. Many of these providers are educated people who devote their homes and lives to provide care for children. It is beyond belief that 65 percent of parents stated that it is difficult to find such care in San Benito.
Were they referred to the quality providers that already exist here? How can we work together to link the child care needs to services already available and not being utilized? Quality child care is already available here in San Benito County. If these providers were offered the opportunity to provide care for these children, I am sure they could meet their needs significantly.
Vicky Grimmett,
Hollister
