No Respect For Home Daycare Providers...

[BigMama]

One thing I make a point of doing is listing in my handbook every single course, or training I have taken so that parents can actually see how much above and beyond I do go. I list the name of the course, how many hours/semesters/or days the course was and keep adding to this list as I hand out new contracts/handbook up-dates each year. (kind of like a resume on the "about the provider" page)

I also make a point of listing courses and trainings I have completed each month in a monthly newsletter. I sometime write about little tid bits of things I learned in a class so parents can share the knowledge too.

I don't do it for the recognition but for the respect I deserve for what I do. I always want parents to be aware of what I put into this business and my program. I want them to see that for me, the learning is on-going and that I am NOT just a babysitter.

Sometimes I feel like I am asking for attention by listing these things but how else do we educated our clients? More often than not, the lack of education on the parents part about what some providers do to run a quality program is why they have no respect.

Love love love this!

[Ariana]

One thing I make a point of doing is listing in my handbook every single course, or training I have taken so that parents can actually see how much above and beyond I do go. I list the name of the course, how many hours/semesters/or days the course was and keep adding to this list as I hand out new contracts/handbook up-dates each year. (kind of like a resume on the "about the provider" page)

I also make a point of listing courses and trainings I have completed each month in a monthly newsletter. I sometime write about little tid bits of things I learned in a class so parents can share the knowledge too.

I don't do it for the recognition but for the respect I deserve for what I do. I always want parents to be aware of what I put into this business and my program. I want them to see that for me, the learning is on-going and that I am NOT just a babysitter.

Sometimes I feel like I am asking for attention by listing these things but how else do we educated our clients? More often than not, the lack of education on the parents part about what some providers do to run a quality program is why they have no respect.

YES!!!! I prominantly display my ECE diploma in a frame on the daycare wall and love that it says "Honours" on it The child care network I'm a part of also has workshops on how to 'sell yourself' and a big part of it is displaying all thr workshops you've done in a nice portfolio to show parents. I already have 5 certificates since joining last year plus I'm taking a degree program to compliment my diploma. Like many of you on here this isn't a hobby for me, it's a career!

[Zoe]

Yes, this absolutely is my career and I love it so much. The problem I'm running into is that I had wanted to be an elementary teacher since I was 5 years old. It was my dream. But after 5 years of going nowhere, finances and whatnot forced me to reevaluate my priorities for my family. I started daycare and never looked back. I actually love daycare MORE than being a teacher and I don't consider my education a waste at all. I use it every day! I'm still a teacher, I just cater to a younger crowd!

Parts of my family have questioned when I will be going back, giving hints of teacher openings, mentioning that my license will be expiring soon...it bugs me, but when they see my face light up as I tell them about a fun trip we went on, or an achievement of a child, it helps them to see just how happy I am and how seriously I treat my business.

And for those who look down on what I do....psssshhhhh. Whatever. I am providing for my family, I get to be home with my kids, and I love what I'm doing. Who can say the same??! Not a lot of those who look down on me, that's for sure.

[MarinaVanessa]

Try calling your program a "Home Based Early Care and Education Program" and see if people change their attitude.....it's funny how a title can change a person's perception ::

Hey Sugar, thanks.

It seems so silly to me that someone could have less respect for someone else simply because of the title that you give them. I once met a man at a friends BBQ that asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was a child care provider and he said "Oh, so you're a babysitter". We then got into a discussion about the differences between child care provider, babysitter, au-pair, nanny etc. He was so rude and kept saying that it was just another term for an overglorified housewife or babysitter. I asked him what he did and he said he was a maintenence technician to which I replied "Oh, so you're a janitor". He shut-up real quick.

[Springdaze]

I just tell people (when it doesnt matter) that I own a preschool. Not a lie!