The ABC Child Care Conference provides a program structure where child care providers and directors can enhance their knowledge and skills, and meet state-mandated training requirements.

Sixty-seven percent of children under age 5 receive some form of child care on a regular basis from persons other than their parents (Child Care Aware, 2012). The Texas Workforce Commission estimates that there are over 100,000 child care providers caring for more than 760,000 children under the age of 13 in licensed or regulated child care facilities in the state of Texas. Additionally, child care is one of the fastest growing industries in the state, generating approximately 145,000 jobs and $2.3 billion in wages for Texans.

Researchers have found that quality matters when it comes to child care. Children who receive high-quality care develop better language, math, and social skills; exhibit fewer behavior problems; and tend to be better prepared for entrance into school (Vandell et al., 2010).

Have a well-trained child care workforce is essential to providing the high quality child care that children need to reach their developmental potential. Evidence indicates that professional preparation (i.e. more formal education and content-specific training in child development) is linked to higher quality care environments for children (Zaslow, Tout, Maxwell & Clifford, 2004).

For more information about Child Care Conferences, please contact FCH Wharton County Agent Lori Schindler at 979-532-3310 or lori.schindler@ag.tamu.edu