WCCAA Advocacy
4K Community Approach- 4KCA
The mixed delivery as a system in which 4-K can be in any school, licensed childcare center, nonprofit or for profit, licensed family childcare home, Head Start program, or other community-based program that meets agreed-upon quality criteria. We believe this facilitates a healthy network of providers diverse enough to meet children’s, communities, and families’ needs.
A mixed-delivery model is the most effective way to realize the opportunity to appropriately support children, families, and the economy. A mixed-delivery system leverages a combination of public and private funds and utilizes existing infrastructure in licensed center-and family-based childcare programs, public schools, and community-based organizations to maximize access to high-quality, affordable options for all children through age five.
More than half the providers in Wisconsin have closed their doors. The most common denominator is the loss of 4-year-olds and in many areas the additional loss of 3-year-olds. This along with rising costs, reduction of Child Care Counts funds and the rising number of unlicensed care options is devasting to the early care industry.
This is not an easy task. We need everyone who is affected by this to contact their representative and tell them how important 3- and 4-year-olds are to your program’s.
The basis for the upcoming negotiations will be based on the original bill SB973. See the link below. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/related/proposals/sb973
This ask includes autonomy to continue our work using developmentally appropriate curriculums taught by teachers with appropriate Early Childhood degrees. Along with financially equitable class sizes.
For clarification purposes 4KCA is a separate state investment program from Child Care Counts. CCC (soon to be named an Investment in Early Childhood). CCC is equally important to a successful and robust Early Education and Care system in our state.
WCCAA Board of Directors Advocacy Efforts
Representative Lee Snodgrass visiting Joyful Noise Children’s Center Summer Kickoff event in June 2024!! She met Director Kelly Zdanovec, her team and many families. Quality care, child care counts and affordability of care were discussed.
Jean Baglien, Owner at Beautiful Minds Child Care in Eau Claire, WI and WCCAA Region 6 Board Director, welcomed Governor Evers on 0ctober 2nd, 2023 to talk about what Child Care Counts means to them and what could happen if the funding did not continue. Evers was also joined by Senator Jeff Smith.
Linda Kudrna, Owner at Learning Ladder Preschool in Cottage Grove, WI and WCCAA Region 2 Board Director, welcomed State Senator Melissa Agard and State Assembly Rep. Melissa Ratcliff to discuss the importance of including the Child Care Counts program into the 2023-25 Biennial Budget on February 28th, 2023. Parents from the center also joined in the event.
Agard, Ratcliff advocate for Child Care Counts funding in state budget | Government | hngnews.com
Ashley Lium, Director of Miles of Smiles Child Care Center and WCCAA Region 1 Board Director, welcomed Secretary Amundson to her center.
Bianca Hill, Executive Director for TenderCare Christian Child Care Center and WCCAA President welcomed Representative Darrin B. Madison to her center.
For more information on this Nationwide Movement visit:
National Child Care Association: https://www.nationalchildcare.org/
Early Childhood Education consortium: https://www.ececonsortium.org/
Make your VOICE heard!!!
CONTACT: contactwccaa@gmail.com
Please review and contact your legislators today. This is an important move for Early Care & Education.
To find your legislators, please visit these websites:
https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/
https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/MyElectedOfficials
Other web links: