Economic Vitality

Jardin Infantil del Canal (JIDC)

JIDC trains local Spanish-speaking women to become certified family childcare providers. This enables them to open much needed licensed, affordable child care in the community and become self-supporting. As a result of JIDC there are now 22 licensed and operating family childcare homes in the Canal community.

More than 1,200 children live in this community, yet there are less than 250 childcare slots. Parents critically need childcare so they may work or go to school to support their families. Many low-income families cannot afford to pay the full cost of childcare. Families are often faced with not being able work because they have no childcare or having to leave their children in sub-standard care.

Since 1995, Marin County has lost forty percent of the licensed family childcare supply. In 1995 there were 500 licensed providers caring for children in their homes, today there are only 300. Licensed family childcare is an essential part of our childcare infrastructure.

In the Canal, family childcare makes up almost half of the available care and is the only option for infant care in this community. Jardin Infantil del Canal project has confirmed that a strong system of support enables providers to sustain their businesses and continue providing quality childcare services to the community.