Does anyone remember Phyllis Schlafly? I wish the answer were no, but unfortunately the shrill voice of this crusading anti-feminist from the 80s is still being channeled by Tea Party and conservative leaders who rail against the "Nanny State." Also, she is out with a book.

My colleague, Aparna, who has a nearly two-year-old daughter in child care, reminded me today of an interesting situation that often happens in early childhood: separation anxiety. As a former preschool teacher, I know the scenario very well. Parents often establish a daily routine for dropping off their children at child care or preschool, routines varying from child to child, with the hope that the familiar ritual will help the child adjust. Some children are excited for "school" and mom and/or dad leave seeing a big smile on their child’s face.

“Going for the Gold” in the District’s child care system not only means striving for quality in early care and education, it also means getting reimbursed at a higher rate from the government. It’s the name of D.C.’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care, which ranks providers as either Gold, Silver or Bronze centers based on their ability to meet specific benchmarks of quality. 

When I was three months pregnant I started my search. At the time I wanted the best quality care for my unborn child anticipating that I would go back to work full-time. I was looking for accredited centers with bright and beautiful space, but most importantly caring and patient teachers. I only wanted the very best for my child. I quickly learned that I had very few options, despite being willing and able to pay for child care. The wait lists at the most desired centers were up to four years. Really?

If you're a single parent with an infant in the DC metro area, you need to make at least $57,000 to feel economically secure. That's according to a report released yesterday by the local organization Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW). 

The Washington Post had an article this week that left me scratching my head. The story, "D.C. day-care licensing criticized," was ostensibly about would-be child care providers complaining about the barriers to entry to opening a licensed community or home-based child care center in the District. 

Update: In today's Washington Post, a critique of D.C.'s tough licensing requirements for child care providers. Read the story here.

Last night's candidate forum at the Channel Inn was attended by dozens of voters who care for and about young children in the District. Many thanks to our partners at the DC Association for the Education of Young Children and Pre-K for All DC for putting on a great event. 

It may feel like a dead heat at the end of August, but it's not too late to hear from D.C.'s mayoral candidates on how they would address issues affecting young children and those who care for them -- from birth to child care, Pre-K and beyond. 

We hope you'll make it to the mayoral candidate forum this Thursday evening in SW, hosted by the DC Association for the Education of Young Children. 

Here's the info:

6-8 pm, Thursday, Sept. 2

at the Channel Inn

650 Water Street, SW

(Southeastern University/Waterfront Metro stop on the Green Line)

New parents often face sticker shock when confronted with the steep cost of child care. That's  especially true here in the District, where for working parents who don't qualify for subsidies, child care often costs as much as college tuition--and the cost is rising.