1.) Balloon Kite

Flying a kite is difficult and frustrating for a toddler or preschooler. These toddler friendly “kites” are guaranteed to fly, even on those cool springtime days with light wind.

Required:

• Large, round helium balloons
• Kite String
• Paper streamers

Nothing like taking your toddler on a kite flying activity during a warm springtime day!

Tie one end of a long length of kite string to a round helium balloon and the other to your toddler’s wrist. He/she will find it fun and easy to fly their toddler friendly kite, and you won’t have to worry about crashes and tangles. Try attaching lengths of paper streamers to the balloon to give it a more authentic kite look.

2.) Toddler Ball

Required:

• Plastic ball
• Plastic bat and tee (optional)

Here is a great, springtime activity. Show your toddler how to throw or kick a plastic ball, or have them try hitting it with a plastic bat off a tee. Pick up the ball and chase your toddler to a “base” (a tree or other designated point) and then back to “home.” You may want to tag your toddler occasionally, but let him be “safe” sometimes, too.

3.) Nature Bracelet

Enjoy all the fun springtime nature with this bracelet building activity!

Required:

• Masking tape
• Scissors

Before going outdoors with your toddler, wrap a piece of masking tape to his/her wrist, sticky side up. As you explore, help attach colorful leaves, flowers, and other interesting discoveries to your toddler’s new bracelet. When done, use scissors to snip off the nature bracelet. Share the activity by displaying the bracelet on a bulletin board, shelf or wall.

4.) Window Painting

Adding a little detergent to the finger paint makes cleaning up this springtime activity easier!

Required:

• Finger Paint
• Dish detergent (optional)
• Wet paintbrush or Q-Tip (optional)

On a warm springtime day outdoors, let your toddler finger paint on the outside glass patio door or low window. When the paint dries, use a wet paintbrush or Q-Tip dipper in water to make a design on the paint. Cleaning up with a sponge and bucket of water or garden hose can be part of the activity!

5.) Crayon Slide

If you have a slide in your backyard (or a small one indoors), this activity will add a new dimension to sliding fun!

Required:

• Slide
• Newsprint or long length of paper
• Tape
• Crayons

Tape a length of newsprint to your toddler’s slide. Give him/her one or two crayons (perhaps one for each hand) and have them slide down the slide, holding the crayons to the paper as your toddler goes. They will enjoy seeing the squiggly lines and design they’ve made. Change colors and keep sliding until your toddler tires of this activity.

If you like, bundle up three or four (or more) crayons with a rubber band for a different effect.

6.) Bubble Fun

A classic outdoor activity during springtime, blowing bubbles will never get old!

Required:

• Plastic drinking straws
• Store-bought or homemade bubble solution
• Scissors
• Tape

Make a bubble wand by cutting two plastic drinking straws in half then taping the four pieces together. Blowing through the straws will send lots of tiny bubbles in many directions.

Enjoying the outdoors during springtime with your toddler can be an amazing experience. We hope you enjoys these activities as much as we have!

If you are pregnant, and find yourself looking for a job that is understanding about things such as morning sickness, lack of energy, this article should give you some ideas. Keep in mind, before seeking out any of these jobs, make sure you know your limitations first!

Blog From Home! – Here is a great eHow article, showing you step by step how to start a mom blog. This is a great opportunity to have a low pressure job where you can set your own hours.

Work For A Transcription Company – Working for a medical transcription company is a pretty easy job to find, and they usually hire with little to no experience. Just google transcription jobs, and you will find a whole slew of information.

Telemarketing – Some telemarketing companies are obviously better than others to work for. We recommend checking one out called www.babytobee.com. This company caters to the pregnant woman and is a great place to work.

Wholesailing From Home – This is another great stay at home job with the potential to make a lot of money. The basic concept is this; retailers are already overloaded with the daily tasks of operating their businesses. Creating a point of sale with products at the best price requires a great deal of time and effort, along with continuous and ongoing research. For this reason, many retail establishments are willing to pay another person (you) or firm to find sources for their products.

Sell Items On Ebay – You’d be surprised how many things you can find that could be sold on ebay. Frequent thrift shops, do some light searching for things you don’t need anymore, make a business out of it!

Sell Homemade Items On Etsy – Etsy.com is a wonderful place for mothers who need to stay at home can make some money. If you are crafty you can not only sell your work on here, but also network with other craft junkies!.

Follow Your Passion – Obviously this small list cannot cover every job idea that an expecting mom could pursue. Get creative and make a list of things that you are passionate about and you can do some research online for jobs relating to these things.

Dedicate yourself without over-doing it and you should be able to bring a nice income in while pregnant.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Yields 5 dozen Rolled Sugar Cookies.

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place rolled sugar cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Clean Kids = A Clean Daycare

Cleaning and sanitizing your daycare begins with making sure your kids are clean! Regularly washing hands can do wonders to help stop the spread of germs!

Wash Hands Regularly! – The best way to keep your daycare clean is to keep your children clean! Always make them wash their hands before every meal, after using the restroom and after playing outside. This may sound like common sense, but it can be hard to keep track of all those little hands!

Use Hand Sanitizer With Supervision – Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby, that way if you see a child who needs it, you can rub some on their hands.

Have Regular Lice Checks – Check the children for lice about every 2-3 months. Here is a great eHow article on how to check kids for lice yourself.

A Sad Reality – If you have a child in your daycare that you feel has been neglected hygienically, it is recommended you contact child services for the sake of the child, as well as the other children around them.

Cleaning And Sanitizing Daycare Toys

Toys in a daycare facility can usually be the biggest culprit in spreading germs. Sharing is caring, but when it comes to germs, you want to make sure they are all but eliminated when it comes to hard surface and stuffed toys.

Shop For The Right Toys – Find toys that are easy to clean. Avoid stuffed toys that won’t come clean. If you have any fabric toys, make sure they are reversible and easy to wash. Toys with plastic surfaces are easiest to clean.

How Regularly Should You Wash? – It is recommended to lightly clean and sanitize your daycare toys about once every 2 weeks and to do a more focused hand washing about once a month. Not all toys specify whether or not they are dishwasher safe, so use your best judgment.

Keep An Eye On Those Germs – If a child is sick in your daycare, take all of the necessary steps ensure it doesn’t spread. Some solutions include a bleach/water mixture (always used after hours, of course) or a type of Lysol to disinfect toys the child has played with.

Deep Freeze Stuffed Animals – Putting the stuffed animal in a plastic bag, then freezing it for 4 – 5 hours once a week will usually kill any living dust mite or allergen on the toy.

Areas That Require Cleaning And Sanitizing Daily

Any of these areas can be wiped down at the end of each day with a fresh made bleach solution that includes:

Fresh Daily Bleach Solution For Cleaning And Sanitizing Your Daycare

• 1/4 Cup Of Household Bleach (not industrial strength)
• One Gallon Of Water

Here is a checklist you can go through when cleaning and sanitizing your daycare at the end of the day.

• Wipe down counter tops, floors, door and cabinet handles.
• Bathroom area and Diaper changing area (recommended cleaning each time a child gets changed)
• Diaper Pail/Trash Basket
• All Trays/Seats and High Chairs

Areas That Require Cleaning And Sanitizing Weekly

Here is a checklist you can go through when cleaning and sanitizing your daycare at the end of the week.

• Wash all baby blankets and linens in hot water with a 1/4 cup of bleach
• Wash small rugs
• Dress up clothes
• Cribs and mattresses
• Clean the windows

Areas That Require Cleaning And Sanitizing Monthly

Here is a checklist you can go through when cleaning and sanitizing your daycare at the end of the month.

• Wash large play rug
• All the toys get disinfected by either washing or wiping down with bleach solution. If they are visibly dirty they should get cleaned right away.

Remember that a clean daycare is a safe daycare! Keep all of these cleaning and sanitizing tips in mind and you will have less allergies and outbreaks in your daycare!

Benefits of Taking Prescription Prenatal Vitamins

• A much higher folic acid count (1,000 micrograms for prescription, 400 micrograms for over the counter), iron and calcium than taking standard vitamins.
• Because the dosages are bigger, prescription Vitamins have undergone the scrutiny of the FDA, as well as been extensively tested by major corporations that have spent a lot of money to ensure the effectiveness and safety.
• Have a larger dosage of iron and formula mixes of other vitamins.
• You only need to take one day, as opposed to take 2 capsules 2-3 times a day with over the counter prenatal vitamins.
• With a prescription written out, insurance companies will usually cover the cost.

The Downsides Of Taking Prescription Prenatal Vitamins

• Some women have complained of nausea or vomiting from prescription prenatal vitamins.
• Some brands are harder to digest than the over the counter prenatal vitamins.
• Some prescription prenatal vitamins may have dyes associated with them.
• Some of the ingredients in prescription prenatal vitamins may not absorb as well as over the count prenatal vitamins. They contain contained calcium carbonate and ferrous fumarate, which when tested, absorbs a lot less. Over the counter prenatal vitamins may contain the more easily absorbed calcium citrate malate and iron/amino acid chelates.

Benefits Of Taking Over The Counter Prenatal Vitamins

• Over the counter prenatal vitamins are usually in an easily digestible gelatin capsule as opposed to the hard tablets of prescription multi vitamins.
• Gastrointestinal function can be less that optimal during pregnancy. Any way to help digestion and absorption is important.
• Some over the counter prenatal vitamins contain ginger, which is great for digestion.
• Much more affordable than prescription prenatal vitamins. (Some prescription Prenatal vitamins can cost more than a dollar a day!)
• Usually have a higher dosage of other vitamins (A, D, E, B1, B12, B3 and C) than their prescription counterpart (keep in mind the prescription prenatal vitamins have the higher folic acid, calcium and iron).
• Can be beneficial for women who are trying to get pregnant and have not been to a health provider yet. (As no prescription is necessary).

The Downsides Of Taking Over The Counter Prenatal Vitamins

• Usually Lower in Iron and Folic acid.
• Sometimes not enough herbs present for a noticeable effect.
• Some doctors recommend against some of the herbs found in over the counter prenatal vitamins altogether.

Recommended Prenatal Brands To Start With:

1. Prenate Elite – This one has over 18 vitamins and minerals (including the previously mentioned folic acid and folate). This does help eliminate Vitamin A toxicity.
2. Natachew – Chewable prenatal vitamins, high in iron and folic acid.
3. Obegyn – Prenatal Supplement is a daily multivitamin & multi-mineral supplement in powder form to be reconstituted with water, producing a good tasting orange flavored drink.
4. Nestabs – Small and odorless tabs with no aftertaste and is kosher certified.

Things To Keep In Mind Regarding Prenatal Vitamins

• Folic acid is in the B vitamin family , which helps spinal development during the fetal stage. It is recommended every woman take some form of folic acid at the time of conception (even those on a healthy diet).
• Any vitamin labeled “with iron” will be good enough for the first half of the pregnancy. If you are at risk for iron deficiency it might be necessary to take extra iron pills throughout your entire pregnancy. (Please consult your physician).
• In addition to building the babies bones, calcium is also key to conducting nerve impulses and will aid in the heart function and other muscles.
• Always check the label for ingredients as well as consulting your physician about which prenatal vitamins are best for you.
• The reason some prenatal vitamins require a prescription is because the higher folate and folic acid can potentially mask anemia caused by a rare (but serious) disease that leads to b12 deficiency.
• Find out if you have a family history of pernicious anemia. Get checked for anemia, and if the results are good, over the counters are okay. If not, stay under 0.4 MG supplemental folate.
• For different brands of prescription prenatal vitamins, be sure to ask your pharmacist or physician for the latest up to date recommendations. Also, it’s always good to get the best for your situation (which your doctor can help you with).

For most women the over the counter prenatal vitamins are just as beneficial as their prescription counterpart. The most important thing to remember when looking for the best prenatal vitamins for you is to make sure you find the brand that absorbs the best.

Your physician or doctor should have enough information about your particular needs and assign either an over the counter or prescription prenatal vitamin that will absorb best for you.

]]> http://daycarecafe.com/prescription-prenatal-vitamins-vs-over-the-counter-prenatal-vitamins/feed 0 http://daycarecafe.com/homemade-musical-instruments-for-your-daycare http://daycarecafe.com/homemade-musical-instruments-for-your-daycare#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:22:23 +0000 admin http://daycarecafe.com/?p=1469 Teaching kids to be musical at an early age has been proven to have a very positive affect on brain development. The motor skills learned by keeping a steady rhythm and the development of pitch memorization can be great instruments (pardon the pun) to help regional brain growth.

This article will get both daycare kids and providers involved in music by making homemade musical instruments and learning the basics of playing them. So round up the kids, sit them all down, and get ready for a fun and creative musical session!

1. A Simple Drum

For the first homemade musical instrument, we’ll be making a simple drum out of an oatmeal box, here are the supplies needed:


• An empty oatmeal box with cover
• Yarn
• A Pen
• 2 Un-Sharpened Pencils
• 2 Spools
• Construction paper (for decorating)
• Crayons (for decorating)
• Non-Toxic Glue (to stick the construction paper around the drum)

You’re going to use the oatmeal box as the main part of the drum. If you feel like drawing on the construction paper with the crayons before gluing it around the drum, feel free. Be creative, let the kids use their imagination so they can make their own unique design, it’s all part of the fun!

Once the construction paper has been glued around the drum, the next step is to punch a hole (with a pen) in the top and bottom of the drum. Next, feed a piece of string through the drum, starting with the top hole and having it come out the bottom hole.

Once you’ve done this you can tie the string into a loose knot. This will act as the strap, letting the child wear it around their shoulder, down to their waist.

The last step is to glue your spoons to the pencils, making drum sticks. Once you’re done, you have your rhythm section!

2. The Horn Section


Our next homemade musical instrument for your daycare orchestra will be the horn! Gather these materials:

• Paper towel roll
• Waxed paper
• Rubber band
• Pen

First, cover one end of the paper towel roll with the waxed paper, make sure you secure it with the rubber band.

Next, punch some holes (about 3-5) along one side of of the paper towel roll (these are there for the children to place their fingers to make different sounds). Once you’re finished have your kids hum a tune into the open end of the homemade horn!

3. Shoe Box Guitar


Now the fun really starts, add some more melody with a homemade stringed instrument. Use these items:

• Empty shoe box (with lid)
• Rubber bands
• Ruler or stick

First, take the lid off the shoe box and cut a hole right in the middle of it. Once the lid is back on, get about 4-5 rubber bands of different sizes and wrap them around the box long ways, they should be fairly taut.

Just make sure the rubber bands are too tight that they snap. Now have some fun with your homemade guitar, just don’t get too loud!

Some Tips For Teaching Kids Basic Music Theory

The concept of teaching children music is a very broad topic that can fill books, but we will show you some basics as well as provide a few helpful links.

1. All About Rhythm – The fundamentals of rhythm are fairly straight forward. Start off with a basic rhythm by repeating 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 at a reasonable rate. Try and keep it consistent, if tapping your foot helps, do it. This gives the kids a fundamental rhythm to play along too.

2. Use singing to show them the basics of melody – Hum simple songs like “Mary Had A Little Lamb” or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. This is a great way to introduce the kids to simple melodies that will help their ear develop.

3. Make sirens with your voice – Do a siren sound with the kids making their voice go as high and low as possible. This teaches them the basics of octaves (the high and low versions of notes).

4. Use an inexpensive recorder – Record the kids playing music, then play it back to them. This will amaze, as well as teach them the fundamentals of recorded sound. Plus, it gives them a good idea what they sound like while listening.

Have Fun With Your Homemade Musical Instruments

The sky is really the limit with this, and the fun is really endless. We hope this helps get the creative juices flowing in your daycare, not only with the creating of these homemade musical instruments, but also the journey of learning to play them.

Have fun, and keep it simple!

Some Helpful Links

• E-How Videos On Teaching Kids Basic Music Theory
• Children’s Songs and Educational Music for Kids | Songs For Teaching
• Lots Of Detailed Articles On Creating Even More Musical Instruments For Your Daycare
]]> http://daycarecafe.com/homemade-musical-instruments-for-your-daycare/feed 0 http://daycarecafe.com/how-reading-to-your-toddler-can-make-them-smarter http://daycarecafe.com/how-reading-to-your-toddler-can-make-them-smarter#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:53:17 +0000 admin http://daycarecafe.com/?p=1435
It is through reading that man is able to discover new ideas, concepts, places, and people. Other people even describe reading as a journey that starts as you open a page, and finishes as the last page is turned. Indeed, reading is not only informative, but fun as well.

Reading should be encouraged amongst children at an early age. This is so because there are many benefits that children can derive from reading. Aside from developing virtues and senses, reading also imparts knowledge and information.

Read To Children, Even At Early Ages

Reading Develops Comprehension. When children read, it is very often that they get to connect the thoughts of the story together. As children starts to read, the words and the sentences may seem like a stranger to them, but as they continually read, they will come to easily recognize words and sentences and establish the relationship between them. Comprehension is the ability of understanding a story or an idea. Thus, as children regularly read, they develop their comprehension better.

Help Develop A Diverse Vocabulary

Reading Develops Vocabulary. Different stories are written by different authors. As such, every story has a different style dependent on the style of the authors themselves. There are stories that use simple and easily understandable languages, but there are others who use the more complex one. As children read through a story, they encounter words that they might not actually understand. When this happens, they can always seek out a dictionary to look for the meaning of the word. This is one way of broadening their vocabulary. It is advisable to prepare a dictionary beside them as they read for convenience in looking up the words that they do not understand.

Expand Creativity And Visualization

Reading Develops Creativity and Visualization. There are some books and stories that are written in such a way that you could not wait to turn the next page. In other words, these are stories that are very exciting and thrilling that one could not wait for the next chapter. Unknowingly when this happens, children have already visualized how the next chapter would be like. Moreover in reading, they clearly form a vision of the heroes and the villains according to how they see them. Reading does not only develop creativity, but visualization as well.

Discipline And Relaxation

Reading Develops Discipline. It is not very often that you see a person jumping around and reading at the same time. When you read, you usually find a comfortable little corner, and sit for hours as you read a book. If you are a regular reader, you might be doing this more often to a point that it has become a habit already. Discipline is achieved when you would be able to do things repetitively in an orderly manner. Moreover Psychology Articles, reading also develops concentration and focus.

]]> http://daycarecafe.com/how-reading-to-your-toddler-can-make-them-smarter/feed 0 http://daycarecafe.com/tips-on-daycare-interview-preparation-with-a-new-family http://daycarecafe.com/tips-on-daycare-interview-preparation-with-a-new-family#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:26:10 +0000 admin http://daycarecafe.com/?p=1416 As a daycare provider preparation for a daycare interview is crucial. You want to make the best impression possible during an interview with a parent, right? It’s one of the most important parts of running a daycare business, and usually first impressions do count.

There may have been times where you may have felt you haven’t had enough preparation h or even nervous. These quick tips will not only show you ways of preparation for a daycare interview with a parent, but also give the best possible impression of your center.

When To Schedule An Interview

• During Nap time.
• After Hours.
• The Weekend.

Over the years, i’ve found that the best time to schedule an interview is either during nap time or after hours. If you schedule the interview while you’re supposed to be watching the kids, you will not be able to give your undivided attention to the interview.

If you prefer the parent to see the children at the facility, nap time is probably the best. But, scheduling an interview after hours is always the most calm and gives you time to focus completely on the interview. Scheduling an interview during the weekend is another great time because you have more time for preparation, plus the parents aren’t just getting off work.

Some Items To Prepare

• A copy of your daycare contract.
• Have your license plainly number visible.
• Prepare 4 references (2 from current parents and 2 from past parents).
• A daily sample menu plan.
• A daily activity sheet.

Preparation of these items is key to the interview going smoothly, also they should answer any basic questions parents should have. When giving references, make sure to give the name of the parent and their phone number.

Here is where you can download a sample daycare contract.

First Impressions Count

Another key element to preparation for your daycare interview is to make sure your facility is clean. First impressions are really important during the interview process, so spend quite a bit of time tidying up and organizing things. Make sure you don’t use overwhelming smells either, some parents can be turned off by an overwhelming perfume-y aerosol.

If you have animals, make sure you let the parent know before the interview (they may have allergies.) Right before the interview starts, it usually helps to put the animals in the other room for the short duration of the interview, but make it known that you have animals (once again, allergies purposes for the child as well.)

Tips On Finishing The Interview

One of the most important things about the interview process is to make sure you are not too pushy. Don’t pressure the parents into giving you a deposit, and let them call the shots. A follow up call is okay, but we recommend letting the parents call you first.

Honesty is another very important aspect, running an licensed business, honesty should be your first priority. Answer any questions the parents may have, and do so in the most honest way possible.

Doing interviews with parents can be a little nerve wracking, but we hope these pointers will help with preparation next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed before your next interview. Remember, be honest, you can never have too much preparation, make the parents feel comfortable, and you should have no problem keep those daycare positions filled.

]]> http://daycarecafe.com/tips-on-daycare-interview-preparation-with-a-new-family/feed 0 http://daycarecafe.com/5-great-resources-for-cloth-and-organic-diapers http://daycarecafe.com/5-great-resources-for-cloth-and-organic-diapers#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:15:41 +0000 admin http://daycarecafe.com/?p=1383 5 of my favorite resources regarding Organic Cloth diapers! Ranging from "How To" articles to shops where you can buy organic cloth diapers
]]> There is some debate going on about whether cloth diapers are better than disposable diapers. Some love the convenience of disposable diapers, but forget the impact it can have on the environment. So, if you’re thinking about making the switch to cloth and organic diapers, here are 5 great resources we have found that can help you along the way.

1.) Wild Flower Diapers – Natural Baby Products



A great site that sells not only great organic baby diapers, but also other wonderful organic products for babies.

Why we love it:

• Great selection of cloth and organic diapers
• Plenty of great accessories (and they’re all green friendly!)
• Loads of great information on their Cloth Diapering 101 Page.

2.) The New Parents Guide – Cloth Vs Disposable Article



The “Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers” article to end all…well you get the picture. Read this excellent article front to back, and you will learn everything there is to know about the Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers debate.

Why we love it:

• Informative well written article
• Breaks things down by: Economics, Convenience and even Skin and Health Issues
• Great set of interesting facts using real statistics!

3.) gDiapers – The New Diaper Hybrid



Hybrid Diapers. Quite an amazing concept. This company is a bit on the expensive side (you could call them “designer diapers”), but you get quite a product. It mixes both disposable (landfill free) and organic cloth diapers into one.

Why we love it:

• A great idea, some parents won’t mind paying a lot more for this quality.
• Mixes both cloth and disposable into one diaper, all without ever visiting the landfill.
• Very stylish, check out the great orange color!

4.) The Green Baby Guide Asks – Have You Tried Natural Organic Diapers?



A very small article from Green Baby Guide, but what really counts here are the comments. The two comments here are chock full of good information regarding Natural and Organic Diapers, why don’t you join the conversation!

Why we love it:

• The whole blog is great, tons of great resources for green oriented moms
• Join the conversation on this post and share some of your favorite organic and natural diapers!

5.) eHow – How to Care for Organic Cloth Diapers



For anyone looking on tips on how to care, clean and maintain your cloth diapers, this is the article for you. A step by step guide on how everything you need to know about caring for organic cloth diapers.

Why we love it:

• Another great eHow article with step by step tips
• Easy to follow, you will become a master at caring for organic cloth diapers in no time!
]]> http://daycarecafe.com/5-great-resources-for-cloth-and-organic-diapers/feed 1 http://daycarecafe.com/daycare-tax-credit-obama http://daycarecafe.com/daycare-tax-credit-obama#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:39:41 +0000 admin http://daycarecafe.com/?p=1256 Barack Obama will propose nearly doubling the child-care tax credit for middle-class families on Monday, according to a White House official.
]]> President Barack Obama will propose nearly doubling the child-care tax credit for middle-class families on Monday, according to a White House official.

The proposal is one of five recommendations from the president’s Middle Class Task Force, which was established one year ago this week.

It comes as an increasingly populist White House struggles to regain political momentum among middle-class, independent voters frustrated by the slow pace of the economic recovery.

Obama will push to increase the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit rate from 20 to 35 percent for families making under $85,000 a year. Families making from $85,000 to $115,000 also would see an increase in their tax credit, the official noted.

At the same time, lower-income families would receive a $1.6 billion increase in child care funding, the largest one-year increase in two decades.

In addition, the White House will propose limiting a student’s federal loan payments to 10 percent of his or her income above a basic living allowance.

The administration also will push for the creation of a system of automatic workplace individual retirement accounts, requiring all employers to give workers the option of enrolling in a direct-deposit IRA.

Fourth, the White House will propose expanding tax credits to match retirement savings, while also enacting new safeguards to protect retirement savings.

EXCERPT FROM: CNN Politics
Contributor: CNN’s Suzanne Malveau
Full text available at CNN Politics.

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