Trying to decide between Bloomers or enrolling your child in TK?
Questions to ponder:
Why do we have TK instead of Universal Child Care? Why is the public school system the only option that is free for all families regardless of income? Do parents have a real choice if only one option is free?
Who is profiting from TK?
Kidango and other for profit after-school programs helped write this legislation. The Early Childhood Education community was NOT involved, and because the bill was pushed through during the early pandemic, it was challenging to meet with legislators who were working remotely/ not holding office hours.
Considering TK?
Understandably, cost may be your biggest factor because child care is expensive.
TK is free, and unless you qualify for subsidized child care AND make it off the waiting list, child care is not.
When comparing costs, remember you will need to add in costs for child care on teacher prep days AND 10 weeks of summer school break. You will also need to spend time arranging for this back up child care.
Summer camps can be expensive.
Will these costs negate savings?
You may need to pay for before or after school care as well depending on what is available at your school site.
Siblings
You may wish to have your child with their older school age sibling or with their younger sibling in preschool.
Continuity & Convenience
TK is not a year round program.
Bloomers is open year round, but is closed for some of the same holidays.
Bloomers is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
TK/School hours are shorter. There are minimum days weekly in OUSD.
After-school programs may end earlier in the day. Check hours and availability.
Before & After school program may or may not be available at your child's school. Every school does not have one. There is often alot of competition for those programs. Off site programs are often tuition based. Factor in those costs, if they apply.
Ratios
TK started with a 20:1 recommended ratio. TIn 2024 the state postponed implementation that would have changed the ratio to 10:1, requiring a teacher and an aide in every classroom. This change was supposed to occur in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year but is no longer in the proposed state budget. Check with your Elementary school to see what their ratios are. What are the ratios in aftercare? What ages will be combined in aftercare?
Family Child Care ratios are required to not exceed 6:1 preschoolers to teachers. Preschool programs are required to not exceed a 12:1 ratio.
The NAEYC guidelines for preschoolers is an 8:1 ratio for quality. FCCs exceed this.
Teacher qualifications
Public school teachers have traditionally required a BA and a teaching certificate while preschool teachers study Early Childhood and get ECE credits, specifically geared towards the younger children they work with.
This will be the first year that TK teachers will be required to have ECE units in addition to a teaching credential. However, because these have been different paths in the past, there are very few teachers who actually have both a credential AND ECE units. Check to see if the teachers at your school have emergency credentials, and are still working towards that goal. Do they have ECE units specific to the age group they are teaching? Do they have experience working with preschool age children?
What are the qualifications for after-school care providers?
There is no educational requirement for home based Family Child Care, however I do have a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Administration and over 30 years experience working with 0-5 year olds.
Developmentally Appropriate
Ideally all settings with young children should follow DAP: Developmentally Appropriate Practices.
Some things to consider:
How much time is the child expected to be sitting? How much time do they have to play? Is the classroom environment set up for play? How much access do they have to the yard and outside places? How long is recess?
Young children learn through hands on exploration. Children focus better when they are allowed movement, and brain synapses are built through physical activity.
How many transitions will they need to make daily in a public school setting? Is that compatible with my child's temperament?
Is my child able to use the toilet independently?
Other intangibles
Bloomers provides a mixed age experience and gives the 4 year olds a chance to be leaders and mentors; to fully develop the social emotional skills they will need in Kindergarten and life; and to feel capable and competent.