ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

It would help if you explained the goal of doing this exercise and how you define "amenable to child care" and "their climate for child care." If you're identifying cities that would be good targets for building child care supply to meet demand (assuming availability of operational subsidy dollars for low-income), say that. Don't assume those communities are "child care friendly" or "amenable to child care" however.

Oviously, they did not take into account licensing in the states where some of these cities are located. Many have terribly inadequate regulations governing child to caregiver ratios and expectations for training for both teachers and administators.

It is a suprise that no city in Massachusetts was listed, especially since we have the highest number of NAEYC accredited centers. I need to read the full report for sure.

Memphis, really? Several children have died in childcare there over the last few years by being left in vans in hot weather.

What was this random survey? I've been to many of those regions and believe you me, quality of childcare ain't happenin' there.

Who funded this? Sorry to say this, but someones got to say it..this survey is garbage and I'm surprised it even showed up on ChildCareExchange.com.

EDITORS NOTE: Today's message was only a short summary of the full report. In the full report, which you can view for free by clicking on the "Free copy" link below the message, there is a more detailed explanation about the factors involved as well as an appeal for suggestions on how to improve this listing. I would truly value your insights on process.

I can't believe that Seattle didn't make the top 30. I would have expected Seattle to be in the top 10.

Could The Exchange clarify what is meant by most "amenable" to child care?" Does this mean most amenable to starting a business in child care?

I recently lived in Boise with my four children, sat on the Idaho State Child Care advisory panel, and unless things have changed drastically in the last two years, I wouldn't say that quality child care is abundant, although advocates in Idaho work tirelessly to improve the situation.

How can you state that those cities and states are "most amenable". Idaho does not regulate child care under 6 children which could be 6 infants. Also many of the cities are in the South which has a history of not protecting children.

Well I do wonder what 'amenable to child care' means. Friendly to childcare? Hmmm. Should I move there because they are more friendly to child care than my city? Perhaps I should be excited to move to a city that may be more amenable to my work. But what the heck does that mean? More kids and families and poor and wealthy parents and higher nursery school enrollment? Larger overall population? Does it mean there are more centers and nursery schools and school based programs and family child care programs? How good are they?

This feels about as useful as not much at all. It doesn't even make sense. It helps me not at all to imagine the quality of the child care programs in these cities. Which is after all what we are thinking of.