AUGUSTA - The Legislature gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill sponsored by Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, which would direct the Maine Department of Education to identify the critical components of the Educare model for publicly funded early child care and education programs and identify necessary resources and best practices for statewide implementation.
"Maine is grappling with an acute labor shortage, exacerbated by parents' inability to find or afford child care," said Geiger. "This bill presents an opportunity to address this crisis while also exploring a promising model for increasing resilience and readiness to learn in young children. This enriched child care and education model has the potential to confer meaningful benefits to Maine children, our economy and the future of our state."
Educare is a publicly funded early education and daycare program first introduced in Chicago schools in 2000. It is now utilized across the nation. The model is based on research from early childhood development, education, social work and other allied fields. The Educare model is composed of data utilization, embedded professional development, high-quality teaching practices and intensive family engagement. Maine currently has one Educare school, Educare Central Maine in Waterville, which has produced outstanding results for the children enrolled in the program.
LD 684 faces further votes in both the House and Senate.
Geiger is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 42, which includes Rockland, Owls Head, North Haven and part of Matinicus Isle. She is a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee and the Labor and Housing Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Geiger], c. 305-965-2744