DCYF celebrates early care and education during Week of the Young Child

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families celebrated Week of the Young Child April 11-17, recognizing the importance of high-quality early care and education and the professionals who make it possible.   

As part of the celebration, leadership visited Wilder Child Development Center, touring classrooms, enjoying the warm weather with preschoolers, and listening to what teachers and parents are experiencing.  

Wilder takes a whole family approach to early care and education. All families complete an assessment so Wilder can connect them to other needed resources, such as therapy or vehicle repairs.  

“There’s no wrong door to come into Wilder,” said Angela Clair, director of the Wilder Child Development Center. She has been with Wilder for years – in fact, she taught some of the parents of currently enrolled children. 

Staff and parents shared some of their current challenges with DCYF leadership. Staff advocated for lower child-teacher ratios, especially for children with high needs. Clair also explained how hiring and retaining staff can be difficult, but quarterly bonuses funded by DCYF’s Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program have helped. 

Parents’ concerns were primarily about finding and affording care, especially on the weekends and outside standard business hours. 

But parents also shared how happy they are with the services they receive at Wilder. 

“I love the fact that it feels like a family,” one parent said. “They love my son and he loves them.” 

Thank you for hosting DCYF leadership in honor of Week of the Young Child!