Helping Children Soar

Love drives Kidz Den Day Care owner Danyelle Swift to do what she does.

"If we take our children and do what’s necessary, our children can soar," Danyelle said. "We have to give them a chance."

As the owner and operator of a child care center, Danyelle helps 45 children in her care soar every day. The parents who choose Kidz Den know that their children are learning all day, every day.

Increasing quality care

Finding child care is challenging. United Way works with partners like early education nonprofit Leaps and Bounds to offer care providers like Danyelle access to a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification program. This program, made possible through support from United Way donors, increases both the number of child care seats -- because it expands the number of kids that caregivers can watch -- and the quality of care.

The CDA "helps ensure we have the highest quality staff in each of our child care facilities," said Jeff Miles, director of innovation and early childhood at United Way.

This certification can cost caregivers anywhere from $1,800 to $3,000 -- a steep price to pay in a career field that pays, on average, just over $10 an hour. But the grant funding we provide allows caregivers to earn this certification -- improving their facilities and their skills -- free of charge. 

Danyelle has cared for children for years. At first, she provided in-home child care, but she knew she needed additional training to take the next step. Thanks to United Way donors, the costs of a $250 CDA application and $1,800 CDA class through Leaps and Bounds were covered. With additional donor support, United Way can expand the reach of this effort. As a result, more people like Danyelle will be able to complete this training, improving the quality of child care.

A second-grade level

For parents like Ty Bowlson, the CDA's impact is clear: care they can trust.

Ty and her husband were planning a move. Because of the distance, relying on family to care for her children, Kayden and Dwight, while they worked was no longer an option.

The thought of finding child care she felt comfortable with was daunting.

Ty's fears were quickly relieved when she stepped into Kidz Den and met Danyelle.

"My children, they feel you out," Ty said.

"Seeing that they were willing to take Miss Danyelle’s hand when she opened the door, I saw that they trusted her."

When Kayden started to attend at nearly 3 years old, she couldn't talk. Now, she's at the top of her kindergarten class.

Dwight still attends Kidz Den. He was able to write his first and last name before he was 3.

And at Kidz Den, the children don’t just sit around and watch TV all day. They interact with adults dedicated to their growth, learning about geography, art science, technology, engineering and math. They're learning all day, and it's all thanks to the support of United Way donors.

"By the time my preschoolers graduate, they’re on at least a second-grade level," Danyelle said. She credits United Way with giving her the chance to continue to grow as a care provider.

"I wouldn't be here without the CDA," she said. "United Way has played a big role in my growth."

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