Program trains daycare pros

Judy Liriano is ready to open her own daycare business in the West Hill section of Albany, thanks to St. Patrick's Home Based ChildCare Partnership.

Designed by agencies and residents in the economically depressed neighborhood, and based at St. Patrick's parish, the partnership teaches a wide range of subjects to ensure quality service to children of working parents. Graduates from the two-year training become state-certified family childcare providers.

The program "was a dream of some of the West Hill residents," explained Tamae Memole, manager.

First graduate

Judy Liriano, the first person to complete the program, opened her doors for business this month.

She has been informally involved in child care since she was 13. She occasionally helped her mother provide day care, so she knows what it's like to take care of a number of pre-schoolers, toddlers and infants.

"I wanted to start my own childcare business, and this seemed like a good program," she told The Evangelist.

Training

The process to enter the training program takes up to three months to complete. New York State, Albany and Rensselaer counties, and Catholic Charities process the 40-page application. The training itself gives people "the tools they need to take care of children and be independent business owners," Ms. Memole said.

The training, presented at monthly meetings, gives participants not only accredited training but also group support.

"When you provide day care, sometimes you do not see other adults for extended periods of time," Ms. Memole explained. "We have found that the support group is productive for the clients because they can share their thoughts and insights about child care with each other in a supportive environment."

Education

Clients are required to be knowledgeable in several areas, such as childhood development, nutritional needs, safety procedures, record management, child abuse/maltreatment understanding and prevention, and statutes pertaining to day care.

Thirty hours of training are required for an individual to become state-certified, and the entire process takes two years to complete.

"Not only do the various agencies document the client's progress through the program, but the client herself must provide documentation of her individual competency and physical plant readiness," Ms. Memole said.

Ready to go

"I have enjoyed going through this program," Ms. Liriano said. "It has given me a lot of help and support. I've learned all I need to know so I can operate my daycare business from home.

"The past two years have been busy, but it's been worth it. I've learned how to care for children, keep business files, balance my own books, submit taxes and even to advertise. The support that I have received has been great. They've given me everything I need to run my own daycare business. I'm ready to go!"

(St. Patrick's Home Based ChildCare Partnership is a collaborative effort of St. Patrick's parish, the Capital District Child Care Coordinating Council, and Catholic Charities of Albany and Rensselaer counties. For information, call Tamae Memole, 465-8395.)

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