My Problem

[joy]

I have worked in the field of early childhood for 25 years. I have experience teaching, directing, did graduate work, and I am so troubled with the centers and the low standards that they have. It is sad, low pay, teachers with no education, doesn't anyone look at NAEYC and learn what the field is all about?
I cannot even go into a center without seeing all that is wrong, so many things that should not be happening, even centers with stars, it's discouraging.

Some of the issues listed on the forum are rather indicative that people in this field need to get more educated! Sorry, I do not mean to offend anyone. Please do not take what I say to be insulting, but perhaps, enlightening?

[joy]

problem

]I have worked in the field of early childhood for 25 years. I have experience teaching, directing, did graduate work, and I am so troubled with the centers and the low standards that they have. It is sad, low pay, teachers with no education, doesn't anyone look at NAEYC and learn what the field is all about?
I cannot even go into a center without seeing all that is wrong, so many things that should not be happening, even centers with stars, it's discouraging.

Some of the issues listed on the forum are rather indicative that people in this field need to get more educated! Sorry, I do not mean to offend anyone. Please do not take what I say to be insulting, but perhaps, enlightening?[/QUOTE]

[Crystal]

Joy, I totally get what you are saying.

I agree that more providers need to educate themselves and provide higher quality programs and services to children and families. (not talking about anyone here, just in general)

In addition to being an (educated) provider, I also conduct Environmental Rating Scale assessments for our Resource and Referral Agency. There have been MANY assessments that have left me feeling VERY discouraged with where this field is headed. And ya know what....it's usually the programs with the MOST EXPERIENCED providers that have the lowest quality. Seemingly they are the ones who are more likely to be happy with the "status quo" and not further educate themselves and remain current in the field of ECE.

Sad, huh?

[nannyde]

Some of the issues listed on the forum are rather indicative that people in this field need to get more educated!

What issues are you reffering to? Could you be more specific?

[Unregistered]

Bottom line is....this is a career that comes with no benefits, low pay for many of us, for those who do childcare in their home, the wear and tear on their homes, etc. A person is either good with children or they are not, it doesn't make a provider "a better provider" just because they have some kind of degree to show. Seriously, if I was to go thru 2 or 4 years of college, the expense of it, the time involved, the hard work.....I certainly am not going to work for $1.75 per hour, and that is what our rates end up being where I live for home daycare (yes, I know that most providers care for 3-6 children, still not a lot after you take out the exenses)........complete with no benefits, no vacation, no insurance, etc. Everyone always seems to want to blame the providers out here. What about the parents themselves......the ones that take their kids to daycare even when they are home for the day, the parents that take their kids to daycare sick, the parents that say "I need my me time", gees I could go on and on. When the various degrees of government got so involved with daycare providers, telling us how we should and shouldn't run our business, I feel that is where many of the problems started. There was a day where daycare was a fun, lovng, caring environment where a parent could take their child while they went to work.....No, we are struggling trying to make sure we disposed of that poopy diaper in the appropriate way, trying to make ends meet knowing we have to put that serving of green beans on the plate only to throw it out later because the child never eats them, etc. We are no longer allowed to discipline children, let along hug them because we may "do it wrong". The whole system is warped.....and I doubt that a piece of paper will change any of these things. Nope, if I am going to go get a degree, it most defnately won't be in childcare, it will be a degree where I can get vacation time, sick pay, health insurance, holiday pay, disability insurance, retirement.....etc. I love working with children and I am darn good at what I do, but in the end it is what it is.....a low paying, no benefit, thankless job for many of us. Sad that it is that way for so many, but a fact of life. At least at the end of the day, I know that I did make a positive difference in the children's lives.

[nikia]

What issues are you reffering to? Could you be more specific?

Yes I was going to ask the same thing.

I think there is a difference between being inexperienced and uneducated. I am inexperienced in dealing with disrespectful parents and having a backbone running my own business, but I am not uneducated. I have taken classes in early education and am currently in nursing school. I guess I would just like to know what questions or issues we bring up that make us uneducated? Are you refering to centers that are supposed to be preschool based or home daycares that do not offer a preschool curriculum? I have daycare parents that have degrees and I will tell you that I wouldnt trust them with my children seeing as how they let their kids run them over, as discussed in the thread old school provider. Just my opinion

[3kidzmama]

I personally have a dual bachelor's degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education... and I honestly don't think this makes me one bit more qualified to provide care to children than someone who has no degree and has done it for many years.... or has a degree in a different field and is a mother of her own children... We all gain experience in different ways and holding a fancy piece of paper doesn't make anyone a fantastic childcare provider.

The fantastic childcare providers are those who truly love what they do, and they truly love the children they are caring for each day.

[Cat Herder]

Bottom line is....this is a career that comes with no benefits, low pay for many of us, for those who do childcare in their home, the wear and tear on their homes, etc.

A person is either good with children or they are not, it doesn't make a provider "a better provider" just because they have some kind of degree to show.

Seriously, if I was to go thru 2 or 4 years of college, the expense of it, the time involved, the hard work.....I certainly am not going to work for $1.75 per hour, and that is what our rates end up being where I live for home daycare (yes, I know that most providers care for 3-6 children, still not a lot after you take out the exenses)........complete with no benefits, no vacation, no insurance, etc.

Everyone always seems to want to blame the providers out here. What about the parents themselves......the ones that take their kids to daycare even when they are home for the day, the parents that take their kids to daycare sick, the parents that say "I need my me time", gees I could go on and on.

When the various degrees of government got so involved with daycare providers, telling us how we should and shouldn't run our business, I feel that is where many of the problems started.

There was a day where daycare was a fun, lovng, caring environment where a parent could take their child while they went to work.....No, we are struggling trying to make sure we disposed of that poopy diaper in the appropriate way, trying to make ends meet knowing we have to put that serving of green beans on the plate only to throw it out later because the child never eats them, etc.

We are no longer allowed to discipline children, let along hug them because we may "do it wrong". The whole system is warped.....and I doubt that a piece of paper will change any of these things.

Nope, if I am going to go get a degree, it most defnately won't be in childcare, it will be a degree where I can get vacation time, sick pay, health insurance, holiday pay, disability insurance, retirement.....etc.

I love working with children and I am darn good at what I do, but in the end it is what it is.....a low paying, no benefit, thankless job for many of us.

Sad that it is that way for so many, but a fact of life. At least at the end of the day, I know that I did make a positive difference in the children's lives.

Awesome post, Unregistered.. I was struggling to read it, so I thought I'd help a few other folks....

[jessrlee]

No degree here, I don't want one! I make it very clear that I "babysit" and I always have a full program. Our area gets free preschool for 3's and 4's. My parents want a place their kids get to play and be hugged. But for the record, you are reading posts from providers trying to solve problems. I am glad I have a place to ask questions, and get feedback. Where else can you get input into naptime, contracts, toys, and equiptment? Run the best program you can, and do it your way because it is YOUR business, and let everyone else do the same.

[lil angels]

LOVE LOVE the post from unregistered. Couldn't have said it better myself

[nannyde]

Joy, I totally get what you are saying.

I agree that more providers need to educate themselves and provide higher quality programs and services to children and families. (not talking about anyone here, just in general)

In addition to being an (educated) provider, I also conduct Environmental Rating Scale assessments for our Resource and Referral Agency. There have been MANY assessments that have left me feeling VERY discouraged with where this field is headed. And ya know what....it's usually the programs with the MOST EXPERIENCED providers that have the lowest quality. Seemingly they are the ones who are more likely to be happy with the "status quo" and not further educate themselves and remain current in the field of ECE.

Sad, huh?

I think you are running into this because there isn't a funded market for it. I'll bet you see it more in experienced providers because they KNOW from experience that running a program that would score high on the scale would not be funded accordingly for the higher and harder level work. The younger less experienced providers may believe that it can be funded and they will be paid accordingly. As time goes on they may realize that it really isn't. By the time they get to highly experienced they KNOW it comes down to more and harder work with "care" pay.

That's my guess. I wouldn't even DREAM of having an evaluation like that. I would fail with a big fat F-.

[MommyMuffin]

Just wanted to add that although they are not college degrees most childcare providers take classes through their community to better their program. I also read a lot of books about childcare and children.

Although I am not obviously as educated in the art of childcare as Joy or Crystal, I can say I have valuable things to offer families and children in my care. And hey everyone has to start somewhere.

I am sure there are great centers out there but the ones where I live I would never leave my child there.

[SandeeAR]

Ok, I waited a day to post, b/c I figure I'm probably taking this OP wrong, but this is just my humble opinion............

No college degree here. My choice. I got out of school and did what I had wanted to for years. I became a stay at home MOM! My degree is in Motherhood! I take all I learned, both good and bad in raising my 29 and 27 y/o DD's and apply that today. I take the years of helping in church childcare, Sunday School, VBS, Wednesday night programs, Helping as a regular Volunteer at school......I use this as my experience.

I must have been doing something right (without that degree), b/c my house is where all the kids hung out. During the junior and high school years, I had 15-30 kids at my house every Friday night.

I think sometimes the ppl with the "degrees" need to experience a little more of the real world and less of the "degree" world.

[Angelwings36]

Ok, I waited a day to post, b/c I figure I'm probably taking this OP wrong, but this is just my humble opinion............

No college degree here. My choice. I got out of school and did what I had wanted to for years. I became a stay at home MOM! My degree is in Motherhood! I take all I learned, both good and bad in raising my 29 and 27 y/o DD's and apply that today. I take the years of helping in church childcare, Sunday School, VBS, Wednesday night programs, Helping as a regular Volunteer at school......I use this as my experience.

I must have been doing something right (without that degree), b/c my house is where all the kids hung out. During the junior and high school years, I had 15-30 kids at my house every Friday night.

I think sometimes the ppl with the "degrees" need to experience a little more of the real world and less of the "degree" world.

I agree with you 100% SandeeAR. When I am taking in interviews for potential clients I often get asked what my education back ground in childcare is, they get a solid straight answer...I AM A MOTHER!::

[nannyde]

Ok, I waited a day to post, b/c I figure I'm probably taking this OP wrong, but this is just my humble opinion............

No college degree here. My choice. I got out of school and did what I had wanted to for years. I became a stay at home MOM! My degree is in Motherhood! I take all I learned, both good and bad in raising my 29 and 27 y/o DD's and apply that today. I take the years of helping in church childcare, Sunday School, VBS, Wednesday night programs, Helping as a regular Volunteer at school......I use this as my experience.

I must have been doing something right (without that degree), b/c my house is where all the kids hung out. During the junior and high school years, I had 15-30 kids at my house every Friday night.

I think sometimes the ppl with the "degrees" need to experience a little more of the real world and less of the "degree" world.

You should apply for an honorary Doctorate in Momology.