Parenting may be the most important task that human beings do.  Children are the blueprint of our future, and how we raise them is the purest reflection of our own nature.  Young childhood is a time of critical importance.  Early experiences and conditions, whether with a parent or in care outside of the home with caregivers and/or teachers may shape intellect, emotions, social interaction, health, physical and cognitive development in ways that society is just now beginning to understand and acknowledge.  The high cost of housing in SLO County forces more and more parents into the workforce. In 2007, 57% of children 0 – 13 years were living in families with both parents in the workforce.* More and more, parenting is a collaborative effort between parents, relatives, child care providers and in many cases, friends and neighbors.