MASON County
The Child Care Action Council hosts the child care resource and referral (R&R) program serving Mason County. In 2007, staff responded to 10,385 calls in the region from parents, providers and community members seeking information and assistance navigating the child care system. R&R staff and consultants are also out in the field: conducting training, collaborating with community partners, and reaching out to families across income levels, geographic barriers, and ethnic identities to provide them with vital child care consumer education. Click here for more information about accessing child care in Grays Harbor County.
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Child Care Resource & Referral
For parents seeking child care, especially the first time, knowledge really IS power. Child Care Action Council's goal is to provide accurate information about child care options, child care availability, licensing regulations, financial assistance programs and more, so you can make an informed decision in choosing quality child care.
To request a search of licensed home and child care centers in Mason County by phone call 360.754.0810 or 800.845.0956, click here to request a child care search by email or click here to conduct an online search.
In 2007, 174 families received referrals. A majority (59%) of the families served were low income. More than half (54%) of families were headed by single parents.
Keystone Crisis Care
When facing a crisis, you sometimes need a break from caring for young children. When family and friends aren't available, Keystone Crisis Nursery will be there. We believe all children deserve safe, loving care and that asking for help is a sign a strength.
Access Keystone Crisis Care by calling 360.754.0810 or 800.845.0956.
Block Fest
An interactive exhibit providing families with young children ages 8 months to 8 years a rich, hands-on math and science learning opportunity. Block Fest has been shown to increase parent knowledge of early development in the areas of math and science education, while providing opportunities to increase social skills and literacy opportunities for young children. The importance of young children developing basic abilities in literacy and numeracy in the early years is recognized globally. As an award winning and research- based program, BLOCKFest offers the opportunity for parents to help their children become math and science thinkers. Click here to see Block Fest featuered on King Five's Learning for Life series. For more informaiton go to www.blockfestwa.org.
Professional Development
The Child Care Action Council provides state-mandated training for providers. In 2007, the R&R offered 216 trainings for the child care workforce in the region averaging 20 students each. Washington Scholarships for Child Care Professionals (formerly T.E.A.C.H.) is a scholarship program that provides financial support for center and school-age staff and family child care providers to enroll in community and technical college degree programs. In Mason County, 6 scholarships
were awarded in 2007.
Child Care Action Council's goal is to provide services and classes designed to support the important work you do with young children. CCAC offers a wide range of training opportunities to support caregivers and build the quality of care in the community. Click here to download CCAC's current newsletter.
Click here for Child Care Action Council's online registration system. Call Nancy at x100 with questions or to register over the telephone. If no one is available to take your call, leave your name, phone number, class title and date on the Professional Development message line x121. Please note: advance payment is required.
Provider Consultation
CCAC offers free consultation on many topics including child guidance, circle time, parent communication, working with children’s special needs and administration. A consultant can also help you prepare for a licensing visit. Click here for more information or to schedule a visit from a consultant who can help you meet your individual needs and goals.
In-Service Training
CCAC Trainer comes to your center to offer STARS classes designed for your staff. Contact Sheryl at 360.786.8907 x104 or sheryl@ccacwa.org to request a topic from our training calendars or to discuss other potential topics. These are designed to meet the needs of your center. Not only is it convenient, but when you host a class for 10 or more, two of your staff are trained free
Child Care Inclusion
Welcoming children with disabilities into child care settings, includes monthly Cohort meetings and STARS trainings as well as consultation on providing care for children with special needs. Click here for more information about this program.
Raising a Reader
The Raising A Reader mission is a simple one addressing a national need for effective pre-literacy programs. One in three children entering kindergarten lacks basic pre-reading skills, and almost half of low-income children are read to less than three times a week. As a result, many of these children never develop strong reading skills, a key factor in determining high-school graduation and life-long success.
People
Population: 54,600
Children under 5 years: 2,800
% of Children under 13 living in poverty: 20%
Average number children on child care subsidy: 926/month
Head Start/ECEAP Slots: 124
Economics
Living Wage*: $41,300/yr
Median Household Income: $49,293/yr
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
*The living wage measure is based on a family of four and represents twice the federal poverty level income. Twice the federal poverty level is the income cut off for families receiving child care subsidies.
Cost of Child Care
For a family with an infant and a preschooler in full-time care, the cost of child care represents 24% to 27% of the county’s median household income for 2007.
Families Using R&R Services
In 2007, 174 families received referrals. More than two-thirds (59%) of the families served were low income. A majority (54%) of families were headed by single parents.
How many providers are there in Mason County
Family child care (FCC) businesses account for 779 of the 58 licensed facilities in Mason County. The overall number of licensed facilities was the same in 2007 (57) as in 2003.
What languages are spoken?
All providers speak English, and 2 providers (4%) indicate that one or more additional languages is spoken at their facility. One provider speaks Spanish, and one provider speaks Korean.
How much does child care cost in my community?
Countywide, the annual median household income in 2007 was $49,293. The tables below indicate the annual median price of full-time care for one child by age group and type of care. The median price indicates that half the providers in the area charge more and half charge less than the prices quoted here.
| Centers Infant Toddler Preschool School Age |
Median Annual Cost for 1 Child $7,696 $6,188 $5,408 $3,718 |
| Family Child Care Infant Toddler Preschool School Age |
Median Annual Cost for 1 Child $6,552 $5,954 $5,408 $3,120 |
While the median cost of family child care is up to 17% less than the cost of center-based care, child care continues to represent a substantial expense for families. The cost of full time care for an infant represents 13% to 16% of the median income. Care for an infant and a preschool child would represent 24% to 27% of the median income in the county.
