New grant could ease Tulsa's childcare crisis
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A first-of-its-kind grant could ease Tulsa’s childcare crisis and could change how people think about early childhood care.
Some people have expressed uncertainty about paying a stranger to care for their children, especially in that person’s home.
Tulsa Educare’s Early Learning Works believes this method could work.
Maria Palacios, director of Early Learning Works, said Tulsa’s parents know the city has a problem.
“Tulsa is considered a child care desert. That means there aren’t enough child care facilities for working parents," said Palacios.
A childcare home is like a small preschool and daycare rolled into one, which is operated out of a licensed caretaker’s home.
“The caretaker educates the children and stimulates the children’s brains. They create spaces where the children play, and as they play, they learn," she said.
The program recently received a $244,000 government grant.
“Our idea was to utilize that money to support people who are interested in opening child care homes in Tulsa County,” Palacios said.
The grant will be used to train fifteen prospective childcare homeowners in operating such a business and support them as they apply for a license through Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services.
While more childcare can be good, some Tulsa parents still have concerns.
“You’re paying more for child care. I mean, it’s just as much in rent as in child care, because it’s expensive. Everything’s gone up, and it’s really expensive," one mother said.
“We require that these new childcare homes accept subsidies. That means the ability for the parent who qualifies for the subsidy to afford child care. Yes, child care is expensive, we know that. Sometimes, it is very difficult to afford," Palacios said.
She believes child care is more important for underserved communities.
“We would love to have Hispanic-owned, Spanish-speaking child care homes. According to the Department of Human Services, right now, there are no licensed child care homes in Tulsa that are Hispanic-owned," said Palacios.
“No, it’s a very good idea. Because as a Hispanic, you also look for them to learn English, so they learn both languages and everything is a little bit easier for them in life. Learning two languages opens many doors for you,” said a Tulsa father in Spanish.
“As we support these folks who want to open a child care home. Hopefully, Tulsa benefits too, because then we have higher-quality child care homes available for working parents," Palacios said.