When I saw the prompt for this week’s post, I originally started off by looking for timely news articles on Detroit, but after a few minutes, I realized I wanted to find something related to early childhood education and development in the city to build upon my current work, so I narrowed my search and found a great series of three articles discussing alternative childcare options for working Detroit families.
The third article in this series, by Melinda Clynes, entitled “How Detroit businesses and institutions are contributing to employee welfare with on-site childcare”, spurred both positive and negative feelings within me, as I critically considered the implications of what and particularly, who, the article discusses. Providing on-site childcare centers for parents in their places of employment is a brilliant idea, ensuring easy accessibility for parents and their children. I am happy to read that more businesses in Detroit are implementing this option for parents. However, I am unsettled by the fact that one of the main subjects in the article is Quicken Loans and that quite a bit of emphasis seems to be placed on the development of childcare options within Midtown, which makes me reflect once more on how the rest of the city seems to be repeatedly cut out of the narrative. Again, it is wonderful Quicken Loans and other Midtown businesses provide their employees with on-site childcare, but as we see more and more employees coming from outside the city, are these companies really serving the families of Detroit? Adding to this, a parent (employee at Quicken), utilizing the on-site childcare center mentioned the “perks” of sharing the downtown area with his kids. Obviously, his observations and views are not rooted in malintent, but his comments remind me of the insular, bubble-like nature of Midtown. People (not applying this to this father in particular) come in to the city acting as if they own the place, utilizing its resources, working in Detroit businesses, etc. and then they leave, heading back to their homes in the suburbs. It just does not feel right. Separate from these thoughts, the article also reminded me of the early learning childcare deficit in Detroit: “Nearly 30,000 of our eligible young children have NO high-quality early learning or child care options” (Hope Starts Here: Detroit’s Early Childhood Partnership Community Framework, 2017). The long waiting list referenced in the article in relation to Wayne State’s childcare centers reminds me of this statistic—a fact that is incredibly consequential and negatively affecting Detroit’s youngest, most vulnerable population, the early learners. Even if Wayne struggles to support the high demand for childcare on its campus, it brings me joy reading about colleges actively putting in effort to support staff and students with children. It appears the University of Michigan has a childcare center on North Campus, but I am curious to know if they have more options and how our university supports parents.
If you have the time, I definitely recommend checking out these short pieces! They really made me think about where I will want to send my children (if I even end up having any) someday and what I would personally want in an early learning environment. Carson and I have learned so much about early learning and development over the past five weeks. We keep joking we are becoming fluent in baby talk. Boy are kids fascinating, I have to say. Hope you all enjoy your Fourth of July weekend!
Article I: https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/detroit-radical-childcare-091718.aspx
I cannot help but say this radical childcare collective is sweet and super interesting! Also, Miriam, this article mentions employees at Soulardarity! I enjoy seeing how different spheres of social justice work interact. Activists are parents too!
Article II: https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/detroit-parent-collective-103018.aspx
Same goes for this one!
Article III: https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/on-site-childcare-detroit-112718.aspx
Hope Starts Here: http://hopestartsheredetroit.org/
Josie
