Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-14
Letters to The Star
An Advocate Argues in Defense
OF Child Care Centers

VI AnllQ Aare AenterS
(See Editorial: Expensive and Illogical.)
To the Editor of The star:
I have been a constant subscriber to
The Star over period Of years and
have read with great interest and sincere
appreciation articles and editorials ap-
pearing from time to time in the in
terest of good care for children. I am
cognizant of the splendid cooperation
that The Star has given in assist
Ing In the battle for funds to pro-
vide buildings and staff for the pro-
grams for children under the care of
the Board of Public Welfare. I have
noticed the publicity given In your
paper to the Anticipated buildings, such
as the Receiving Home, the Industrial
School for white children on Wisconsin
avenue and the National Training
School for Girls. 1t has been gratifying
TO notice also that The Star Is
cognlzant Of the fact that the salaries
for workers in these institutions are so
low that good personnel cannot be at
tracted. There are many other pro-
grams in the District needing support
which have been fostered by your paper.
1t is for these reasons that I am
shocked and disappointed to read the
editorial on the day-care program pub
lshed In The Star on June II. Not
only are your figures inaccurate for the
daytime care of children, but YOUR
editorial would lead me to believe that
1882 per year for the care of a child
In the aid-to-dependent- children pro-
gram is adequate. Am I to understand
that The Star supports such a Board
rate at $3.50 annually for foster home
care for public ward? May I inquire
what type OF foster home you feel would
give the kind of care needed for help
less children for that amount? Your
figure of 1913 for care of a child in
the Receiving Home now satisfies you,
though your paper has been adamant In
Its pleading for modern, up-to-date in
stitution for the reception Of wards OF
the Board Of Public Welfare and the
court. Are we who are interested In
the improvement Of care for children
through public support to assume that
you are satisfied with the present funds
available, and that all Of the previous
articles appearing in The Star were not
your honest editorial opinions?
I am submitting the following facts,
which are accurate, on the cost of dav
care for children:
When we examine the figures of costs
that this program actually operated
under for July, August and September
OF ls45 (after the new salary schedule
for Federal employees went into effect
We md that the average cost per child
was $3.50 per month, or $563.Ss per
year. 1t should be noted also that this
was when the child care centers were
open six days a week and when the
employees were getting overtime pay for
the difference between a 40 and a hour
week. If we subtract the amount for
overtime from the costs on the AZ
sumption that all centers would operate
for five days week, it further reduces
the cost per child per month to S42.27
or cost per child per year to $50724.
7 would like to add that II the "A per
cent raise throughout the Government
and, the District is put into effect the
cost for care for children in the nursery
school centers will rise at least 500
per child per year
The writer of the article on day care
obviously was unaware OF the fact that
kindergartens for children were ut one
time provided for privileged few, but
now they are an accepted part of the
educational program. DR.. Corning, SUI
perintendent Of schools. has said he
believes program OF nursery school
education, If developed as q part of the
public school system. should be avail
able to all children. This is his objection
to the present legislation rather than
the fact that the cost OF the program
appears to be high.
I feel that in justice to the mothers
who have fought for this program in
order to maintain their self-respect by
earning their own living and giving
care to their children, an editorial
should be written by your editorial staff
In justification Of this program and
stating facts which are accurate
GLADYS H. COOK,
President, Child Day Care Centers
Of the District of Columbia, Inc.