Babysitter Or Childcare Provider

[Lucy]

Here's the one I was originally looking for, and I finally found it:

Definition of a Child Care Provider (NOT "Babysitter"!)

Child Care Pro-vi-der (child'kâr prõ vid'er)n. chef, baker, janitor, sock and shoe finder, coat buttoner, boot fitter, bottle washer, grocery shopper, diaper changer, protector, dish washer, nose wiper, vegetable pusher, floor sweeper, waiter, story teller, playground attendant, PE teacher, activity director, driver, zoo keeper, inspector, aerobics instructor, tutor, entertainer, therapist, manager, derby instructor, performer, bookkeeper, self-esteem builder, teacher, helper, well wisher, nurse, traffic controller, noise controller, life saver, thinker, problem solver, engineer, designer, counselor, safety instructor, arbitrator, creator, inventor, companion, musician, historian, technician, dietitian, athlete, beautician, fire marshall, analyst, artist, dentist, scientist, biologist, technologist, accountant, manicurist, receptionist, environmentalist, pharmacist, hygienist, speech therapist, reader, builder, informer, composer, supervisor, author, navigator, peacemaker, friend. . . . . . .

~author unknown

[Pammie]

I like to choose my battles, and being called a "babysitter" vs "daycare provider" is not one I choose to fight. Yes, it used to really bother me, and I would correct each and every dcp that used the babysitter word within my earshot. But now, I choose not to fight a battle I can't win - as long as they treat me with respect and pay/pickup on time, they can call me "babysitter", "nanny", "teacher", "childcare giver", whatever they choose

But it's just not our profession that battles this I know.

I'm sure that the trash collectors would prefer to be referred to as "sanitation engineers" but every Tuesday when we hear that big truck in the neighborhood, I'm the first one to tell the children, "Here comes the garbage man!" And the kids all run and wave like crazy to the guys.

[boysx5]

I like to choose my battles, and being called a "babysitter" vs "daycare provider" is not one I choose to fight. Yes, it used to really bother me, and I would correct each and every dcp that used the babysitter word within my earshot. But now, I choose not to fight a battle I can't win - as long as they treat me with respect and pay/pickup on time, they can call me "babysitter", "nanny", "teacher", "childcare giver", whatever they choose

But it's just not our profession that battles this I know.

I'm sure that the trash collectors would prefer to be referred to as "sanitation engineers" but every Tuesday when we hear that big truck in the neighborhood, I'm the first one to tell the children, "Here comes the garbage man!" And the kids all run and wave like crazy to the guys.

So true as long as they pay me on time and respect me they can call me what they want

[Michelle]

I don't sit on babies.

::::::::::

[Ariana]

I provide childcare/daycare so I'm ok with either one. I also consider myself a teacher. I'm not a grade school teacher but we all know that the most learning occurs before age 5 so don't sell yourself short. When I worked in a daycare centre my title was "teacher" and I was addressed that way by the parents.

[Cat Herder]

I provide childcare/daycare so I'm ok with either one. I also consider myself a teacher. I'm not a grade school teacher but we all know that the most learning occurs before age 5 so don't sell yourself short. When I worked in a daycare center my title was "teacher" and I was addressed that way by the parents.

I don't see it as selling myself short...

I see it as inconsiderate and disrespectful to actual Teachers.

Please Don't take this as an attack on you, it is not, since many childcare providers have started believing this in recent years.

I am not directing that at Childcare Providers who went through all the years of school, student teaching, paying student loans and hours of hard paperwork to achieve their teaching credentials. You have my utmost respect.

I promise most Teachers feel the same as I do.

[Country Kids]

I don't see it as selling myself short...

I see it as inconsiderate and disrespectful to actual Teachers.

Please Don't take this as an attack on you, it is not, since many childcare providers have started believing this in recent years.

I am not directing that at Childcare Providers who went through all the years of school, student teaching, paying student loans and hours of hard paperwork to achieve their teaching credentials. You have my utmost respect.

I promise most Teachers feel the same as I do.

I guess it would be a case by case situation. In my years of this profession I have had many teachers/people that work with children in the schools and they all started calling me Teacher ****. Nothing I personally started but they did. It was something they felt was appropriate since I spent most of their days interacting with their child and teaching them different things. Yes, I am a childcare provider by profession but when the children address me it is as Teacher *****.

[Blackcat31]

I don't see it as selling myself short...

I see it as inconsiderate and disrespectful to actual Teachers.

Please Don't take this as an attack on you, it is not, since many childcare providers have started believing this in recent years.

I am not directing that at Childcare Providers who went through all the years of school, student teaching, paying student loans and hours of hard paperwork to achieve their teaching credentials. You have my utmost respect.

I promise most Teachers feel the same as I do.

I agree! I am one of those child care providers/babysitters/daycare ladies who have gone through the years of schooling, devoted hours to class time, inter hours and homework as well as added heavily to my debt load to achieve my teaching credentials. However, I am currently working in the child care field as a home based child care provider.

I know my child care children learn things from me as they learn from their parents, but I do not consider myself a "teacher" that deserves the title no more than I deserve to be called a nurse because I am fairly experienced in figuring out when someone has a cold, cough, ear infection, rash, chicken pox, head lice, hives, eczema or the other myriad of childhood illnesses we deal with every day, as well as giving nebulizers, checking DH's blood pressure and dispensing insulin shots to a 6 year old diabetic...kwim?

If I choose to earn the degree and work in the field of nursing then I could be called a nurse. I earned the teaching degree BUT do not choose at this time to work in the field. That is my personal opinion on how I differentiate the two very different but somewhat similar roles of childcare provider/teacher.

I know this thread shows "symptoms" of being one of those hot button topics so I am out, but just wanted to state how I felt about it. However, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and no one's carries more weight than anothers.

[Unregistered]

Provider/Sitter

I used to get really, really mad at being referred to as "the sitter" and I would rant and rave to my husband about really hating being called that. I know that there was no offense meant by it from the daycare parents but it still hurt my feelings. I felt very disrespected because it seemed like the title of "the sitter" diminished how much time, money and effort into providing top quality care.

Now if I ever find myself getting worked up over being referred to as the sitter or the babysitter, etc. I just remind myself that this is my chosen career and that I make a pretty decent amount of money at it. That takes the edge off

[Maddy'sMommy]

I'm the group that doesn't really care if they call me a babysitter, or a child care provider, Nanny, or that girl I drop the kids off with. haha. As long as we have a good business relationship, and the kids are happy, healthy, and safe, I am good to go.

[Christian Mother]

I think I was a little upset when one of my dcd's picked up the phone and said ohhh...it's my work can you watch little guy and then as he was walking down the stairs said.."Oh, yea...I am at the babysitters right now picking up my son." I wanted to correct him but i let it go bc his wife knows I am not a babysitter. !! Not to mention hard to correct someone when there on the phone... I don't really get that from any of my parents though...I am really lucky that my families I think like the sound of daycare provider bc it sounds more professional. But some slip up and say babysitter. I think it is just easier to say that then daycare provider....who knows...maybe we should ask them sometime why they keep calling us babysitters. Dare some one to ask!!!!!

[jen]

yeah, and the pay is the same too - which is all that matters really.

i guarantee if your sisters did daycare, the parents would say, "my son's babysitter is a teacher." it makes no difference.

LOL! That is funny...because it is SO true!

[AfterSchoolMom]

I've found that I actually PREFER to be "the babysitter". Less pressure for me!

[Ariana]

I don't see it as selling myself short...

I see it as inconsiderate and disrespectful to actual Teachers.

Please Don't take this as an attack on you, it is not, since many childcare providers have started believing this in recent years.

I am not directing that at Childcare Providers who went through all the years of school, student teaching, paying student loans and hours of hard paperwork to achieve their teaching credentials. You have my utmost respect.

I promise most Teachers feel the same as I do.

No offense taken

I don't see it as a disrespect to teachers. I'm actually quite shocked that any teacher would take offense to this. I'm an educated teacher of young children. Each and every day I teach. Just because I teach outside of the school system doesn't mean I'm any less of a teacher....just my opinion I also know many teachers who feel the same as I do!

[DaisyMamma]

As long as they pay ontime and follow the rules they can call me whatever. It does bother me a little though, so when given the opportunity I correct it politely.