Helpful Aid Gives Us A Break

In today’s economy, it has become crucial for both parents to work. Families are growing, but salaries are not. In order for both parents to work, somebody needs to be watching the children.

However, childcare is not on the market for a low cost. People are trying to weed out their unnecessary expenses and childcare seems to be one of them.

Fortunately, the City of Tampa and the School Board of Hillsborough County formed an agreement in their October 6 agenda. In this agreement, the City of Tampa grants the School Board of Hillsborough County $33,700 for childcare and early education for children less than 10 years of age.

Amy Famiglietti, a second grade teacher at Edison Elementary school, said, “I think this grant is great! A student of mine has SLD, which is specific learning disorder, and these early education programs will help him.”

This cost will cover the rates all the way from infant day care and up. It also includes costs of summer/holiday day care and special needs care.

With this new agreement added to the agenda, families do not need to worry about finding a highly qualified program that does not exceed their spending limits. Children will be in a safe environment, provided with education, while making no dent in their parents’ pocket.

Famiglietti said, “My students are around the ages of 8 or 9 and some of them have to stay after school to wait for a parent or guardian. Even still, the parent had to get off work early and I imagine that is difficult to do every day. This new grant will help many families and their children, who are forced to stay after school without much to do.”

Not only will this grant aid to families and children, but also to the teachers. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to stay late and act as a nanny for their students. The grant will supply after school programs for young students and is beneficial for everybody.

The City of Tampa recognizes that any help is valuable in this economic time and by coming together with the school board, they are able to give families a little break.