Teachers and Childcare Providers

[Country Kids]

Blackcat and my posts back and forth got me to thinking about the roll of a teacher and a childcare provider when it comes to "watching" children.

We as childcare providers are not to be on "Technology" but teachers can.

Do you think teachers should be engaged with kids like we are to be and stay off personal technology while in the classroom or do you think they fall under a different "category".

[Heidi]

I personally feel that as a self-employed childcare provider, I can do what ever I want as long as my children are cared for. A teacher is usually employed by someone else, gets breaks, and works 8 hour days. So, unless it's related to her work, she would be limited.

I didn't answer the poll because neither applied.

[jenboo]

I personally feel that as a self-employed childcare provider, I can do what ever I want as long as my children are cared for. A teacher is usually employed by someone else, gets breaks, and works 8 hour days. So, unless it's related to her work, she would be limited.

I didn't answer the poll because neither applied.

I agree with this!

[originalkat]

I personally feel that as a self-employed childcare provider, I can do what ever I want as long as my children are cared for. A teacher is usually employed by someone else, gets breaks, and works 8 hour days. So, unless it's related to her work, she would be limited.

I didn't answer the poll because neither applied.

This is how I feel as well. I am at home and self employed so I can choose how I spend my time. Even if regs specified otherwise, I would likely not comply because they are not my employer and may not set rules on what I do in my own home other than safety regulations. This is not to say that I am using technology all of the time, but if the kids are playing and I am watching them, I will do whatever computer/technology stuff I please.

Teachers are employed by a district and are charged with teaching lessons and academic skills for 7 hours per day so I do not think they should be using personal technology during that time. Much of a childcare providers work is preparing the environment and allowing the children to play and interact with one another and teaching life skills along the way. This is a much more natural setting than an institution such as a school.

[Play Care]

I personally feel that as a self-employed childcare provider, I can do what ever I want as long as my children are cared for. A teacher is usually employed by someone else, gets breaks, and works 8 hour days. So, unless it's related to her work, she would be limited.

I didn't answer the poll because neither applied.

That said, my husband is a teacher and I know his school monitors computer use. He doesn't have a smart phone (or any cell phone ) so it's not an issue. But he has warned me before to not get naughty in my emails::::

[Leigh]

I, too, agree with Heidi. I think that most all jobs these days are more worried about creating and enforcing rules than productivity...it's so frustrating for me to see this because employers choose to do this even when no problems exist.

There is evidence that these over-regulated workplaces are LESS productive and have lower morale than ones that just tell people what their job is and let them do it. The solution, IMO, is to deal with the people who don't perform up to expectations and leave the rest of the employees ALONE! I feel the same should apply to teachers and childcare providers. Our jobs are hard-physically and emotionally. If someone needs a few minutes here and there to recharge, fine with me. Teachers, like us, rarely get break times. If I want to get on Facebook while my kids are eating lunch or napping-no one's business but mine.

[AuntTami]

While I agree teachers and childcare providers should be held to different standards in most areas, the part about technology I agree with.

I understand that teachers are responsible for older children that require less supervision, however, WE are still paying them(through taxes) to TEACH our children, not to do yoga, or play candy crush etc. They should be TEACHING.

I don't remember my teachers playing candy crush or surfing the internet in school. I remember them teaching. And when it was "down" time like silent reading or something similar, they were grading papers, rearranging the room, working on lesson plans, or *gasp* TUTORING A STUDENT WHO NEEDED EXTRA HELP! Are you telling me there are NO students today that could use 15 minutes extra of a teachers time to catch up?

Yes, I use technology during nap time, or to respond to a text while I'm sitting with the children, however its short intervals unless it's nap time. Even at nap time, I have so many other things to do, that I don't have TIME to sit on the computer and ly gag most days.

[Crazy8]

I personally feel that as a self-employed childcare provider, I can do what ever I want as long as my children are cared for. A teacher is usually employed by someone else, gets breaks, and works 8 hour days. So, unless it's related to her work, she would be limited.

I didn't answer the poll because neither applied.

same thoughts here. I am not in a state that specifies I can not be on my personal technology devices either.

[daycare]

As I see it, it depends on what you claim you are doing.

if you say you babysit, then if the kids are safe who cares what you do on the computer, its your company you run it how you see fit. If you work for someone else, thats a different story.

If you say you run a preschool program in your daycare and you claim that you are teaching between the hours of 9am to 1pm, then do what you say you going to do.

if you are on social media between those hours, then as a parent I would be questioning how are you teaching preschool as you say you are if you are playing on the internet/social media.

I agree that teachers don't really fall into the same category as us as they are to be under rules of the school/district/state. They don't make their own rules, schedules and etc. They have designated time they are required to teach and then set hours that they are allowed to take a break.


I think this is a case of apples to oranges...........

[Blackcat31]

While I agree teachers and childcare providers should be held to different standards in most areas, the part about technology I agree with.

I understand that teachers are responsible for older children that require less supervision, however, WE are still paying them(through taxes) to TEACH our children, not to do yoga, or play candy crush etc. They should be TEACHING.

I don't remember my teachers playing candy crush or surfing the internet in school. I remember them teaching. And when it was "down" time like silent reading or something similar, they were grading papers, rearranging the room, working on lesson plans, or *gasp* TUTORING A STUDENT WHO NEEDED EXTRA HELP! Are you telling me there are NO students today that could use 15 minutes extra of a teachers time to catch up?

Yes, I use technology during nap time, or to respond to a text while I'm sitting with the children, however its short intervals unless it's nap time. Even at nap time, I have so many other things to do, that I don't have TIME to sit on the computer and ly gag most days.

While students read or worked on lessons idependently at our desks many of my school teachers from elementary school all the way through high school spent that time reading the newspaper, doing a crossword puzzle or reading a book.

All of which could be considered personal or non-work related. Especially because this was before the internet and Candy Crush.

Whats the difference between you (general you) using technology during nap time and a teacher doing the same while her students are working quietly on their own?

Are there no daycare children in your care that couldnt use an extra 15 minutes of one on one time with you or a little bit of snuggle time...

I dont mean that ^^ to sound snarky Im just trying to make a point thats its rhe same argument.

We as provides cant argue that teachers shouldnt spend time doing personal things on the internet yet justify that we do....

That makes no sense to me when personally I feel we (providers) should have a higher standard of required supervision rules because of tne ages of the children we care for.

[AuntTami]

While students read or worked on lessons idependently at our desks many of my school teachers from elementary school all the way through high school spent that time reading the newspaper, doing a crossword puzzle or reading a book.

All of which could be considered personal or non-work related. Especially because this was before the internet and Candy Crush.

Whats the difference between you (general you) using technology during nap time and a teacher doing the same while her students are working quietly on their own?

Are there no daycare children in your care that couldnt use an extra 15 minutes of one on one time with you or a little bit of snuggle time...

I dont mean that ^^ to sound snarky Im just trying to make a point thats its rhe same argument.

We as provides cant argue that teachers shouldnt spend time doing personal things on the internet yet justify that we do....

That makes no sense to me when personally I feel we (providers) should have a higher standard of required supervision rules because of tne ages of the children we care for.

You bring up valid points, but my argument would then be, don't teachers also get a "lunch time break"?

If I remember correctly from high school, our teachers got our lunch time as their lunch time, and they also rotated through the week who was on "home room duty" the half hour before and the half hour after lunch.... I would consider THAT to be their "down time"/nap time. I wouldn't question it one bit if a teacher wanted to use technology or play games, or even pick their nose during that time, but to do those things while they're supposed to be teaching a class, in my opinion, isn't acceptable.

Even if the teacher only gets the half hour lunch break, that's a half hour to eat their lunch, and play games/text/etc... I don't spend a half hour a day doing those things, even when it IS nap time...

Sorry, I'm just playing devils advocate tonight I think

[Country Kids]

While students read or worked on lessons idependently at our desks many of my school teachers from elementary school all the way through high school spent that time reading the newspaper, doing a crossword puzzle or reading a book.

All of which could be considered personal or non-work related. Especially because this was before the internet and Candy Crush.

Whats the difference between you (general you) using technology during nap time and a teacher doing the same while her students are working quietly on their own?

Are there no daycare children in your care that couldnt use an extra 15 minutes of one on one time with you or a little bit of snuggle time...

I dont mean that ^^ to sound snarky Im just trying to make a point thats its rhe same argument.

We as provides cant argue that teachers shouldnt spend time doing personal things on the internet yet justify that we do....

That makes no sense to me when personally I feel we (providers) should have a higher standard of required supervision rules because of tne ages of the children we care for.

BC-Do you think then that as a business owner (as some stated we are), that we shouldn't get to run our businesses for us?

From what I'm reading I'm taking from it that you believe we shouldn't be allowed to be on technology while supervising children. Yet the majority of us are on here during the day at some point (alot of us when we have kiddos). As a whole should we only use this sight or any technology when we don't have kiddo's?

I'm seriously wondering on this because I know this has been discussed in our area and they are trying to clarify it on our STARS program and such. They are saying we can be on technology if its for our business but not facebook, gaming, etc. So could we say we are on here for business or would it look more like we are just all talking back and forth. We could ask questions after the kids leave and give answers. Also, trying to clarify business puposes and personal is sometimes a fine line.

[daycarediva]

I personally feel that as a self-employed childcare provider, I can do what ever I want as long as my children are cared for. A teacher is usually employed by someone else, gets breaks, and works 8 hour days. So, unless it's related to her work, she would be limited.

I didn't answer the poll because neither applied.

I agree.

They have designated breaks, paid lesson planning periods, recess, special & lunch when the kids aren't in their care. That's quite a bit of time they can do what they want on their phones. They also work 7:30-3:30 (K-5).

Our K-5 building has a 'phone free classroom' rule, yet I see all day facebook activity from 2 teachers (public facebook!) During my 4th graders ELA lesson time yesterday, his teacher played some farm game with statuses every few minutes. It's an issue!

I am not online/playing games when I am supposed to be doing something else. All of my children's needs are met, they have extras and tons of snuggles. ONLY during free play when it's safe AND I can also actively supervise OR nap.

My clean up is done, my paperwork is done (personal AND business)

They're adorable, but I'm not staring at them while they sleep.

I honestly wish I could clean/do laundry at nap, but it's not safe or within regs to leave them on a separate floor.

[Blackcat31]

BC-Do you think then that as a business owner (as some stated we are), that we shouldn't get to run our businesses for us?

From what I'm reading I'm taking from it that you believe we shouldn't be allowed to be on technology while supervising children. Yet the majority of us are on here during the day at some point (alot of us when we have kiddos). As a whole should we only use this sight or any technology when we don't have kiddo's?

I'm seriously wondering on this because I know this has been discussed in our area and they are trying to clarify it on our STARS program and such. They are saying we can be on technology if its for our business but not facebook, gaming, etc. So could we say we are on here for business or would it look more like we are just all talking back and forth. We could ask questions after the kids leave and give answers. Also, trying to clarify business puposes and personal is sometimes a fine line.

The point I was making was that I do NOT believe teachers are the same as child care providers. We are providing care and supervision.

Teachers are NOT providing care or supervision. BIG difference.

As a business owner I believe that we should be able to run our businesses as we see fit (according to the needs of our clients) BUT within state regulations.

I'm not sure why my opinion is so important in this issue... when I really didn't have an opinion in the MA/unregistered thread in the first place.
I just posted MA state rules and regulations were.

The ONLY opinion I had then (and now )is that teachers with a classroom of kids age 6 and older is a 100% completely different situation than a provider with 10 kids UNDER age 5 and in my personal opinion not even comparable.

If a child is injured because of a providers lack of supervision, the provider can be personally sued and liable for the negligence.

If a student in school is injured, lack of supervision or negligence on the teachers part is rarely, if ever a mitigating factor. Let alone mentioned. at all.

So in response to your actual question..... "Do you think then that as a business owner that we shouldn't get to run our businesses for us?" No, I do not think we should be running our businesses FOR US. There are obviously some details (rates, handbooks etc) that we are in charge of but bottom line we are governed by our state licensing regulations.

Simply allowing providers to be in charge of their own supervision guidelines would probably be a scary thought as what one person views as adequate supervision is far from what another person feels is adequate.

It also has a lot to do with the physical environment. Because of that, some environments are simply safer than others. If I take 5 minutes to post on this board, the probability of one of my kids getting hurt is a lot different than other environments based on my personal set up.

Don't know if that answers the question you were asking me but that is my opinion/thoughts on the matter.

[Blackcat31]

You bring up valid points, but my argument would then be, don't teachers also get a "lunch time break"?

If I remember correctly from high school, our teachers got our lunch time as their lunch time, and they also rotated through the week who was on "home room duty" the half hour before and the half hour after lunch.... I would consider THAT to be their "down time"/nap time. I wouldn't question it one bit if a teacher wanted to use technology or play games, or even pick their nose during that time, but to do those things while they're supposed to be teaching a class, in my opinion, isn't acceptable.

Even if the teacher only gets the half hour lunch break, that's a half hour to eat their lunch, and play games/text/etc... I don't spend a half hour a day doing those things, even when it IS nap time...

Sorry, I'm just playing devils advocate tonight I think

I'm sorry but I am still not seeing the comparison between daycare providers and teachers.

Where in the public schools rules/regulations does it say that teachers have to be teaching the kids at all times?

It DOES say in certain state's child care regulations that providers must be supervising the children at ALL times. That is where my argument came in.

We can't compare apples to oranges when teachers are teaching kids and providers are caring for kids. It's like trying to say that you have to follow the same rules when riding a bicycle as you do when you are flying a plane.

TWO very different environments with two totally different purposes.

If a teacher isn't teaching, the child isn't at risk of injury or death.
If a provider isn't supervising, the child is in danger of injury and/or death.