SAN DIEGO -- Story time is an important part of the curriculum at Anza State Preschool in El Cajon. So are counting and the alphabet -- all things children need to learn, to be ready for kindergarten.

But their teacher, Jodie Peebles (pictured, left), is also learning. She went back to school this summer to study administration, child development and other courses.

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Peebles said the added training is important because child-care workers are much more than baby sitters.

"What we do in the classroom to get these children ready for kindergarten is a major impact, especially with the kindergarten standards today," she said.

Home day-care provider, Olga Ramirez, is also taking additional college classes. She said it has made a difference in how she plans the day for the six children in her care.

"I was playing with them and trying to teach them the basics, like, you know, how to share, how to be gentle with one another. Now, I read every day for them in the morning and before taking a nap, so they are getting involved in reading at the early age," Ramirez said.

Children who aren't read to and who don't learn the basics of the alphabet, counting, and writing before kindergarten could be left behind.

That's why a program called San Diego CARES, is encouraging more early childhood educators to return to college for more education.

Through the YMCA, San Diego CARES offers a $1,500 stipend to child-care workers who take six additional units of child development courses and stay in their current jobs for nine months. Participants can repeat the program over two years, taking more courses, to receive a total of $4,500.

The First 5 Commission of San Diego provides the funding for San Diego CARES, using money from the sales tax on tobacco products. Some funding also comes from AB 212, a 2000-2001 budget act that set aside $15 million for child-care worker retention programs.

The YMCA began providing San Diego CARES because officials believe it was time for San Diego to address the problem of retention.

"It's really hard for us to keep teachers (and) directors in our field because of the pay. There is a turnover," said Kathy Shelby, head of the Resource and Referral Program for the YMCA Child Care Resource Service.

San Diego CARES "rewards child-care providers for staying at the same program and for growing professionally," Shelby said. But it also offers more than better-trained teachers. By retaining teachers, it offers a continuity that is important to many young children.

Justin Walsten is one of them. The 2 1/2-year-old boy has Down syndrome. His mother searched for, and found, a day-care center that offered teachers who stayed with the child through their prekindergarten year.

"It's important to us to have a teacher who follows him all the way through, (because) he has a hard time transitioning to new people," Justin's mother, Jennifer Walsten, explained.

Continuity is also important for Lisa Rodriguez, mother of 4-year old Joshua. Peebles has been his only teacher, and she is very important to him.

"He goes crazy without her," Rodriguez said. "He doesn't behave as good when she's not there."

The First 5 Commission of San Diego funds local programs, aimed at preparing children to enter kindergarten. These programs help parents raise QKids -- quality kids-- by focusing on improving their physical, social and emotional growth.