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United Campus Ministry papers, 1970-1972

Day Care Centers Serve Working Moms

By MARLENE PERRIN
Of the Press-Citizen

   Johnson County has a higher percentage of married women in the labor force than any other county in Iowa, according to the 1960 census.

   For these women, day care is a crucial consideration. At least five centers in Iowa City, three of them commercial ones, have been organized to help meet the need.

   One of them, Melrose Day Care Center, may have played a role in the recent dismissal of one of its organizers, Miss Sally Smith, from the staff of the United Campus Ministry. Though the reason given for the dismissal was shortage of funds there was some speculation that her outspoken support of day care may have been a factor.

   The Ministry acquired two houses, at 701 and 707 Melrose Avenue, in 1966. The 707 address was made into offices, and the 701 address became a coffee house.

   But the ministry staff decided that a more important need might be day care. Prof. Ruth Updegraff of the Institute of hild Behavior and Development at the University of Iowa had concluded an extensive survey on the needs for day care in Iowa City. Among her findings were that 83 per cent of mothers in student housing said work for them was a necessity.

   The Ministry staff decided that through a day care facility, they could make the best use of their properties, Miss Smith explained.

   The center is licensed for 30 children. The director, Miss Bobbe Akre, supervises a staff of 10, with at least four at the center at all times. In addition, persons in the community -- pediatricians, nurses, dietitians -- lend assistance on occasion.

   The program is flexible, according to Miss Smith, with a variety of experiences being offered to the children. Excursions include regular trips to a home for the elderly, frequent visits to the Art Museum and weekly swimming lessons at the Recreation Center.

   Learning activities are available at the center. "Our children are happy," Miss Smith said. A member of the staff recalled that a man delivering telephone books was delighted by the school and called back later to ask if his daughter could be enrolled.

   Preference is given to children of students, interns and residents, with second preference to university faculty below the rank of assistant professor. Other university staff and faculty get preference over the children of non-university people.

   Even though fees at the center are the "going rate" -- $75 per month for full-time children, $45 per month for half-time children -- it took

[insert]
of Interest to Women

the center four years to break even.

   The facilities required an initial $6,500 capitol improvement. The operating deficit the first 15 months ws $3,000. The deficit for the next two years was a similar amount.

   But last year the center only "lost" about $250, Miss Smith said. And this year they are breaking even. At that, the ministry provides the facility.

   Miss Smith said the center's success has depended upon a dedicated staff. "The staff really wants to work here," she said. "Their salaries are minimal. But they find real meaning here. They really like what they're doing."

   Volunteers are used at the center as well. Melrose is the only day care agency registered with the Volunteer Service Bureau. Volunteers not only work with the children, but perform handyman duties, sew and provide transportation.

   The other non profit day care center started as an off-shoot of Melrose. Friendship Day Care Center was organized by staff members from Melrose who found themselves in disagreement with Melrose's philosophy after a change in staff.

   According to Miss Barbara Wyeth of the Friendship Center, their philosophy is to offer a completely free play environment, with little structure except for lunch and snack times. "We try to offer a living experience," she continued. "We stress social aspects."

   While their fees are $75 for full-time children and $40 for part-time children, all fees are negotiable, Miss Wyeth said. Minimum accepted is $25. The fees pay all costs, and though all of the staff members receive a salary, it apparently is sometimes scanty. "We are only paid what's left over," Miss Wyeth explained.

   Fees at the commercial centers are similar to those of the non-profit center: $70 full-time with $35 to $40 half-time depending on lunch at one center $75 full -time with $40 half-time at another.

   While the commercial centers have a slightly higher adult-child ratio (1 o 10, as compared to 1 to 7 for the non-profit centers), the commercial centers apparently make ends meet by their larger sizes and resulting increase in productivity.

   At least one of the owners of a commercial center asked, "What's the difference between profit - making and non - profit centers? That's what no one can tell me."

   Both kinds of centers are governed by the same state laws and required to meet the same state standards. The commercial centers are required to pay income tax and property taxes, which the non-profit centers can avoid.

   The non-profit centers consider that they provide better care because they have more adults on their staffs. The commercial centers, however , emphasize the educational facilities they offer. Most of their staff members are trained persons with degrees in child development or early childhood education.

   "Our purpose is to cater to children," one explained.

Day Care Centers Serve Working Moms

PRESS CITIZEN, JUNE 4, 1971, Friday

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By MARLENE PERRIN Of the Press-Citizen Johnson County has a higher percentage of married women in the labor force than any other county in Iowa, according to the 1960 census. For these women, day care is a crucial consideration. At least five centers in Iowa City, three of them commercial ones, have been organized to help meet the need. One of them, Melrose Day Care Center, may have played a role in the recent dismissal of one of its organizers, Miss Sally Smith, from the staff of the United Campus Ministry. Though the reason given for the dismissal was shortage of funds there was some speculation that her outspoken support of day care may have been a factor. The Ministry acquired two houses, at 701 and 707 Melrose Avenue, in 1966. The 707 address was made into offices, and the 701 address became a coffee house. But the ministry staff decided that a more important need might be day care. Prof. Ruth Updegraff of the Institute of hild Behavior and Development at the University of Iowa had concluded an extensive survey on the needs for day care in Iowa City. Among her findings were that 83 per cent of mothers in student housing said work for them was a necessity. The Ministry staff decided that through a day care facility, they could make the best use of their properties, Miss Smith explained. The center is licensed for 30 children. The director, Miss Bobbe Akre, supervises a staff of 10, with at least four at the center at all times. In addition, persons in the community -- pediatricians, nurses, dietitians -- lend assistance on occasion. The program is flexible, according to Miss Smith, with a variety of experiences being offered to the children. Excursions include regular trips to a home for the elderly, frequent visits to the Art Museum and weekly swimming lessons at the Recreation Center. Learning activities are available at the center. "Our children are happy," Miss Smith said. A member of the staff recalled that a man delivering telephone books was delighted by the school and called back later to ask if his daughter could be enrolled. Preference is given to children of students, interns and residents, with second preference to university faculty below the rank of assistant professor. Other university staff and faculty get preference over the children of non-university people. Even though fees at the center are the "going rate" -- $75 per month for full-time children, $45 per month for half-time children -- it took [insert] of Interest to Women the center four years to break even. The facilities required an initial $6,500 capitol improvement. The operating deficit the first 15 months ws $3,000. The deficit for the next two years was a similar amount. But last year the center only "lost" about $250, Miss Smith said. And this year they are breaking even. At that, the ministry provides the facility. Miss Smith said the center's success has depended upon a dedicated staff. "The staff really wants to work here," she said. "Their salaries are minimal. But they find real meaning here. They really like what they're doing." Volunteers are used at the center as well. Melrose is the only day care agency registered with the Volunteer Service Bureau. Volunteers not only work with the children, but perform handyman duties, sew and provide transportation. The other non profit day care center started as an off-shoot of Melrose. Friendship Day Care Center was organized by staff members from Melrose who found themselves in disagreement with Melrose's philosophy after a change in staff. According to Miss Barbara Wyeth of the Friendship Center, their philosophy is to offer a completely free play environment, with little structure except for lunch and snack times. "We try to offer a living experience," she continued. "We stress social aspects." While their fees are $75 for full-time children and $40 for part-time children, all fees are negotiable, Miss Wyeth said. Minimum accepted is $25. The fees pay all costs, and though all of the staff members receive a salary, it apparently is sometimes scanty. "We are only paid what's left over," Miss Wyeth explained. Fees at the commercial centers are similar to those of the non-profit center: $70 full-time with $35 to $40 half-time depending on lunch at one center $75 full -time with $40 half-time at another. While the commercial centers have a slightly higher adult-child ratio (1 o 10, as compared to 1 to 7 for the non-profit centers), the commercial centers apparently make ends meet by their larger sizes and resulting increase in productivity. At least one of the owners of a commercial center asked, "What's the difference between profit - making and non - profit centers? That's what no one can tell me." Both kinds of centers are governed by the same state laws and required to meet the same state standards. The commercial centers are required to pay income tax and property taxes, which the non-profit centers can avoid. The non-profit centers consider that they provide better care because they have more adults on their staffs. The commercial centers, however , emphasize the educational facilities they offer. Most of their staff members are trained persons with degrees in child development or early childhood education. "Our purpose is to cater to children," one explained. Day Care Centers Serve Working Moms PRESS CITIZEN, JUNE 4, 1971, Friday