Caring for All

The dynamics of family life are rapidly evolving, and for many families, that means the necessity for both parents to work full-time. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, nearly half of American households (46%) today have two parents working full-time.

Balancing childcare needs against the demands of the workplace leaves many families with multifaceted challenges that underscore the need for reliable childcare. But what happens when that childcare falls through? If grandma has an appointment or the nanny is sick? For employees of Children’s of Alabama, there’s always a backup. All Children’s of Alabama employees get 35 days each year to use at Near and Dear, a backup or drop-in childcare center. “Whatever need arises, whether it’s because the grandmother who normally keeps their kids isn’t feeling well or there’s a weather event that caused their regular childcare to close, they can call in and make a reservation,” explains Paige Larkin, director of Near and Dear. “They can also call up to three months in advance to make a reservation or last minute.”

Not all companies or organizations offer childcare when needed, and that is oftentimes a serious burden on families. One local childcare center is doing what it can to help parents when their children can’t go to school do to a mild sickness, Huggs and Kisses Sick Child Care. Located in downtown Birmingham, Huggs and Kisses offers alternative daycare for children who are suffering from mild illnesses, such as a cold, viral illness, or ear infection. Children at the center—which was founded by Dr. Jacqueline Stewart, a local pediatrician, more than 20 years ago—are cared for by professionally trained caregivers.

Whatever the childcare need, Childcare Resources is a local nonprofit organization seeking to help families find it. The organization provides free resources and referrals to any family in its four-county area, whether that’s online, via phone, or in person. “We conduct free, customized searches for childcare, and we make sure parents can choose from quality childcare options,” explains Joan Wright, executive director of Childcare Resources. “We also train and provide technical assistance, which includes support of services to improve quality childcare in the community.”

One type of childcare that unfortunately has limited offerings in the Birmingham area is for children with special needs, yet there are a few. Glenwood is a nonprofit agency dedicated to serving those with autism and other behavioral health needs, and it offers a Children’s Center with an all-day ABA Therapy Program. Autistic children ages two to six can attend the program from 8:15 am until 4:00 pm each day. In addition to functioning as a form of child care for working families, it also provides a place for children to receive therapy as well. “Children attending get the best services possible to address their needs in order to equip them to be ready to go into a kindergarten setting when they become of age,” explains Paul Agustini, vice president of education and ABA Services at Glenwood. “Though because we are therapy, we do have stricter attendance policies because it’s essentially therapy appointments the child will receive on a daily basis.”

Mitchell’s Place is another center specializing in serving children with autism and other developmental disabilities, and it does so through its Early Learning Preschool. The ABA-based inclusive program includes children on the autism spectrum, as well as neurotypical children that are all taught in one classroom setting. “It’s very structured, with the programming designed to meet every child’s needs,” shares Sara Nall, executive director of Mitchell’s Place.

Children can begin the preschool program as young as two years old, and classes go up all the way to five years old. Another benefit, particularly for working parents and children on the spectrum who need consistent structure is that unlike other typical preschools, the Early Learning Preschool is open year-round. “We’re an accredited preschool, so all of the children are very well educated by the time they are to start kindergarten,”

Nall adds. “In addition, they are getting the soft skills that are hard to teach when they are older. In our program, the neurotypical children early on that all kids learn differently and there are always ways to help others. They tend to get put in inclusion classes when they are older because they tend to be great helpers when they leave our program.”

United Ability’s Hand In Hand Early Learning Program. Serving children ages six weeks to five years, Hand In Hand also incorporates children of all abilities into its classrooms. “We typically have 40% of the classroom comprised with children with disabilities and the rest are neurotypical,” explains Kim Braasch, director of Hand In Hand Early Learning Program. “Our goal is to maintain a truly inclusive ratio like you’d see out in the community.”

Through its 10 classrooms, which serve approximately 141 children every day, Hand In Hand serves kids of all needs, from those medically fragile to those with mild developmental delays. The organization also has in-house resources for physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as a behavioral specialist. “Kids learn side by side in every aspect of the day,” Braasch adds. “We have seen the benefits of children with disabilities being around neurotypical kids. They are motivated by it. But it also goes the other way too. Neurotypical children learn empathy and acceptance at an early age because it becomes normal quickly to see another child with a disability.”

With most of its families including two working parents, Hand In Hand is open from 7 am until 6 pm. “I’ve been here 28 years, and this is a mission and passion of ours,” Braasch says. “Once you see the impact you’re making on the children with disabilities and the neurotypical kids, it’s in your blood.”

Paige Townley is a staff writer and freelance writer.