Hi my name is Cathy Charlebois. I am a registered family child care provider in Addison. I am speaking tonight for myself and on behalf of all of the qualified registered family child care providers in the state of Vermont. I believe that quality family child care plays a very important role in making Vermont’s Early Childhood system work. I am a perfect example of this statement. I have only been caring for children a little over 5 years, but I have been working towards making tremendous accomplishments over these last 5 years. I have moved my childcare from a mobile home(in which I shared my living space)into a space completely separate from my home. In this space I provide a high quality preschool program for a total of 6 children. I have cared for and taught many children, and all of their parents have expressed to me how much their child has benefited from my program. Some of my other accomplishments have been that I have earned a CDA(child development associate) credential, I entered into a degree program to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education in which I am just about complete, I am also beginning the process of a NAFCC accreditation, and just recently my program earned 4 STARS through the Step Ahead Recognition System. So….as a qualified provider my ongoing goal is to become contracted through the school district to provide a pre-k program for 3 & 4 year olds. This will ultimately allow me to grow professionally and financially. I urge you to continue the use of public education dollars for pre-k!!!  This will mean in regards to my situation I would be able to have a more stable source of funding and in return this will allow me to continue to provide a high quality program, but it will also allow my program to grow bigger and better for all pre-k children. Thank you for your time.