What DO You Prefer To Be Called?

[Josiegirl]

Teacher? Child care provider? Babysitter?

Years ago, at our child care trainings, we were told to not consider ourselves 'merely' babysitters. They made it sound almost derogatory. Although after reading Nannyd's replies about her being a babysitter and clearly not a teacher, she feels entirely comfortable with that name. I'm kinda jealous in a way because I have felt a stigma being called a babysitter. I'm clearly not educated to be a teacher.
Yes, they're always learning and growing in my environment but it feels like a different kind of learning.
So I'm curious as to how others feel about the title of their profession? Is babysitting a profession? I do not want to start a debate, I'm sincerely seeking opinions.

[MissAnn]

I am a teacher. I teach preschool in my home. Anyone who calls me a babysitter will only call me that once.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I am a child care provider. I am not insulted by the term babysitter. I am not a teacher, that is not my training.

[MotherNature]

in-home daycare owner/ child care provider

[nannyde]

When I first started doing child care "babysitter" was not a term that offended child care providers. I think the term "teacher" came along because centers could call their minimum wage employee staff assistants "teachers" and their services "school" at the same time the push for preschool below the age of four became something parents wanted.

When Child Care Resource and Referrals became primary trainers of child care providers they started using the phrase concomitantly with their training that put the kids preschool education onto us.

It went over well with new providers but not so much for experienced providers. Fees remained the same for care as the expectation for educating the kids was ADDED to the expectations on the provider.

More work ... no pay... no thanks

I will stay a babysitter and let parents "homeschool" their infants and toddlers.

I don't mind the term child care provider.

[Annalee]

Teacher? Child care provider? Babysitter?

Years ago, at our child care trainings, we were told to not consider ourselves 'merely' babysitters. They made it sound almost derogatory. Although after reading Nannyd's replies about her being a babysitter and clearly not a teacher, she feels entirely comfortable with that name. I'm kinda jealous in a way because I have felt a stigma being called a babysitter. I'm clearly not educated to be a teacher.
Yes, they're always learning and growing in my environment but it feels like a different kind of learning.
So I'm curious as to how others feel about the title of their profession? Is babysitting a profession? I do not want to start a debate, I'm sincerely seeking opinions.

I like to be called an Early Childhood Professional which is what I was called by college personnel as I received my degree/CDA...but have settled for child care provider or early childhood educator from parents along with owner/operator of my business..NEVER BABYSITTER!

[hope]

All my families call me their babysitter. I like to joke with them that babysitters get paid more than me. In my area a babysitter charges at least $15 an hour. I like to tell them that if I were a babysitter I would be charging a whole lot more!!!!
I refer to myself as a child care provider when asked what I do. Call me or think of me whatever you like. I don't take titles too seriously.

[Maria2013]

as I said before, the term "babysitter" doesn't offend me, as long as the parents don't try to treat me as if I were just a sitter ...often parents that refer to me as their sitter, tent to want full control over what goes on in my home, while still expect I follow a full curriculum and that's the only problem I have with this

[Play Care]

When I first started doing child care "babysitter" was not a term that offended child care providers. I think the term "teacher" came along because centers could call their minimum wage employee staff assistants "teachers" and their services "school" at the same time the push for preschool below the age of four became something parents wanted.

When Child Care Resource and Referrals became primary trainers of child care providers they started using the phrase concomitantly with their training that put the kids preschool education onto us.

It went over well with new providers but not so much for experienced providers. Fees remained the same for care as the expectation for educating the kids was ADDED to the expectations on the provider.

More work ... no pay... no thanks

I will stay a babysitter and let parents "homeschool" their infants and toddlers.

I don't mind the term child care provider.

I never really thought of it that way.

I call myself "child care provider."

[GoodKarma]

I prefer Child Care Provider.

[Annalee]

as I said before, the term "babysitter" doesn't offend me, as long as the parents don't try to treat me as if I were just a sitter ...often parents that refer to me as their sitter, tent to want full control over what goes on in my home, while still expect I follow a full curriculum and that's the only problem I have with this

Even before the state jumped in with new rules and regs and/or the QRIS started in 2002, I did get offended at babysitter....just my thought!

I felt that fcc was more than just me "teaching" through words, but I also feel setting up the child care environment for learning is of great importance as well. Early childhood is a huge undertaking due to the multiple learning styles of children and I enjoy the challenge....therefore, babysitter does not fit that description for me.

Y'all are right, some parents will ALWAYS consider myself and other providers as "babysitters" but I "attempt" to educate parents as well. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[Maria2013]

Even before the state jumped in with new rules and regs and/or the QRIS started in 2002

having the state telling me what to teach and how to speak to kids bothers me way more than being called a babysitter!...in my opinion it should be up to the parents what I do with their infants, not the state! The state should limit itself to safety regulations

[Msdunny]

I have a friend who is also a daycare provider, who calls herself a "day mommy". I don't! I am a child care provider. I provide home care - not a preschool. We are a small, personal group and love each other like a family, but I am not their mom. I just supplement what mom and dad do.

[Leigh]

Most of my families call me their "daycare lady". I don't care what they call me. I don't want to be called "teacher", because I am not. I teach Sunday School. I don't teach preschool. My care is play based, because I believe that it is what kids need. I supervise and guide PLAY. My kids learn here, but there is no school here. I do use curriculum at times, such as when we do fun projects (like gardening), but still, it's not school, and I'm not a teacher to these kids.

[Cradle2crayons]

The mom of my special little girl tells everyone I'm the kids nanny . I don't know why. Just yesterday at the hospital she told the anesthesiologist I was KY's auntie . The other mom says babysitter.

Babysitter is a catch all term here in the south. Not meant derogatory at all.

It doesn't matter to me what they call me, as long as it's with respect.