By Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist
St. Paul mother Stephanie Henderson knows her son Oliver has benefited from high-quality early care and education.
?It was just so great for him,? said Henderson. ?He was more than ready for school.?
Oliver is wrapping up first-grade and is an extremely smart and happy child.
?He told me he wants to be an astronaut or a marine biologist,? Henderson added.
Watch a video version of Oliver?s Story here:
It hasn?t always been easy, but she credits Minnesota?s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for helping make his success possible. CCAP provides financial support to help income-eligible families pay for child care.
?Child care is really expensive and it affects a family?s quality,? said Henderson. ?It?s a two-step program. You?re helping the child and you?re helping the family.?
At one point, Henderson was working four part-time jobs to support herself and her son. CCAP allowed her to put Oliver in a quality early child care program and it gave her time to update her skills and secure a stable, full-time job with daytime hours.
?It would have definitely been a lot harder. A lot more difficult,? said Henderson.
