695-A - Statement of public policy; findings.

§  695-a.  Statement  of  public  policy;  findings.  The  legislature  declares that it is the public policy of the state and  the  purpose  of  this  act  to  create  a  framework  for  child care providers to secure  representation to help improve the environment in which they work.    The legislature hereby finds child care providers perform an essential  service for working parents and guardians in this state  by  creating  a  safe,   educational   and  enjoyable  home-like  environment  for  their  children. Many of New York's children spend a significant part of  their  crucial  early  years of development under the supervision of child care  providers. It is in the best interest of New York state  to  maintain  a  child  care  delivery system that fosters quality child care options and  compensation,  and  benefits  and  working  conditions  for  child  care  providers commensurate with the value of the work they perform.    Accordingly  child  care  providers  are  hereby  given  the option to  organize themselves  and  select  representatives  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  with  the  state  the  conditions  of  their employment, the  stability of funding and operations  of  child  care  programs  and  the  expansion of quality child care.