Dear Council Members & City Staff:
 
I'm writing to request that you put the Childcare Taskforce Report first
on the agenda for the October 3 meeting. I know that many parents hope
to attend and in order to do this must bring their children. I do not
want to see the discussion delayed by other business whose audience does
not have the constraint of bed times and school the next day.
 
I also wanted to address Mr. John Boyle's letter to the Council where he
tries to address two main concerns of parents about the Building Kidz
proposal.
 
First he states that childcare worker wages and benefits are not
correlated to quality of care. In fact the WSJ had an article today
(link below) quotes experts in early childhood education that say it is
in fact wages, benefits and a stressful work environment that directly
lead to teacher turnover. Just because MCC's employee pay is higher than
'average' does not mean they are overpaid. We pay them what they deserve
for the quality of care and dedication they exhibit. And, I personally
am willing to pay to keep it that way.
 
Secondly, he argues that that the turnover experienced by Building Kidz
of 20% over two years is justifiable and acceptable. There may certainly
be good reason for Buildling Kidz staff changes, however proposing 50%
turnover as a part of the transition is not acceptable in any way.
Again, the WSJ article cites a psychologist that says children who have
been cared for over long periods of time by the same caregiver and loose
that caregiver can experience emotional turmoil and behavioral changes.
 
These are things that parents have been saying throughout the process,
but I'm hoping that you'll read this article and see that it's not just
a few Menlo Park residents who are served by MCC that feel this way.
Change made to the management of MCC is not good for our children, our
families, or the teachers. I urge you to award the contract to the city
staff.
 
Thanks,
Lara Hoyem
Parent to MCC students
Menlo Park
 
Article link:
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB115698176556650035-lMyQjAxMDE2NTM2
MTkzODExWj.html
Received on Thu Aug 31 17:13:07 2006