What Sets Your Childcare Apart From The Competition?

[nannyde]

....I was waiting for that! !

he he he

I am praying for some "my state" does this and this certification.

Take a look at Georgia.

[Blackcat31]

I am actually a certified infants and toddlers teacher, a certified preschool teacher, qualified to be a director of a daycare center with 20 children, and I am working towards earning my A. S. Degree in Early Childhood Education. Once I obtain my degree, I will be qualified to be a director of a center with an unlimited amount of children.

I am sure this is gonna start something but......... I have to ask how you can be a "certified teacher" for infants and toddlers without atleast an A.S. degree in Early Childhood? I am NOT talking about being viewed of as a teacher but being certified as one? Also wondering what kind of center has the room or space or licensing requirments to have an unlimited number of children? I am only asking because the largest center we have where I live has many licensed teachers and a Director but still has a limit on the number of children who can legally attend.

I am just asking.

[BusyBee]

I think they all like my location and my rates. They never ask about what we do during the day, what we eat, etc!

We do a lot of free play in the summer, but we do plenty of other things as well. We walk every day that weather allows, do water play, and crafts. And they know that I really care about their kids. I think that is what counts the most for them.

[DCMom]

Mine is,... Controlled insanity.

Lol, mine too! It feels like 'Controlled Chaos' should be my business name most days!

Honestly, I'm not sure what sets my child care apart. Separate area w/ centers, separate entrance, years in business, preschool program, nutritious meals, structured activities, reasonable rates, extended hours, clean home-like environment...??? I like to think of my child care as the best of both worlds ~ center care AND home child care.

I don't have a degree, just years of experience and the obvious love of what I do.

Whatever it is that appeals to my clientele, its working thank goodness!

[pappyny]

I'm still new here so I hope you don't mind me chiming in too

*live on base so I'm convenient for parents (military family)
*preschool program
*family atmosphere
*Associates in Early Childhood Care and Education
*working on becoming accredited
*small adult to child ratio 4:1 (though licensed for 6)
*only take 3-5 year olds
*consistent daily routines

Though some of these can be viewed as negatives by some parents (such as the ages of the children I will take), I feel that I offer the services that benefit my target group the most.

[Cat Herder]

There is only one me

[permanentvacation]

Here, to be a licensed daycare provider, as far as required education goes, you only need to take 8 hours worth of 6 different type of classes related to childcare, be CPR/1st Aid Certified, and if watching children under age two, be SIDS Certified. Those few classes is ALL the education related to childcare that most of the providers in my area have.

I have taken all of those plus am working on my A.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, have taken the classes that I needed to take to become a Certified Infants and Toddlers Teacher and taken all the required classes to obtain my Certification as a Preschool Teacher. To be a certified Infants and Toddlers Teacher and a certified Preschool Teacher, you have to take certain classes to obtain each certification. You do not need to have a degree to have a CERTIFICATE! I am a CERTIFIED Infants and Toddlers Teacher and a CERTIFIED Preschool Teacher - neither has anything to do with having a degree.

So, by taking the classes to become a certified Infants and Toddlers Teacher and a certified Preschool Teacher and by working towards earning my A. S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, I have gone extremely far beyond the required 48 hours worth of classes. Almost no daycare provider around here takes any classes other than the required classes. Therefore I am over-educated and over-qualified in my field according to the required education that I should have and compared to other daycare providers in my area.

As far as the unlimited amount of children that I will have in a center once I receive my A. S. Degree, of course it coinsides with the size of the building, amount of employees, etc. But I would be able to have (in my center) as many children as the building allows.

[Blackcat31]

Here, to be a licensed daycare provider, as far as required education goes, you only need to take 8 hours worth of 6 different type of classes related to childcare, be CPR/1st Aid Certified, and if watching children under age two, be SIDS Certified. Those few classes is ALL the education related to childcare that most of the providers in my area have.

I have taken all of those plus am working on my A.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, have taken the classes that I needed to take to become a Certified Infants and Toddlers Teacher and taken all the required classes to obtain my Certification as a Preschool Teacher. To be a certified Infants and Toddlers Teacher and a certified Preschool Teacher, you have to take certain classes to obtain each certification. You do not need to have a degree to have a CERTIFICATE! I am a CERTIFIED Infants and Toddlers Teacher and a CERTIFIED Preschool Teacher - neither has anything to do with having a degree.

So, by taking the classes to become a certified Infants and Toddlers Teacher and a certified Preschool Teacher and by working towards earning my A. S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, I have gone extremely far beyond the required 48 hours worth of classes. Almost no daycare provider around here takes any classes other than the required classes. Therefore I am over-educated and over-qualified in my field according to the required education that I should have and compared to other daycare providers in my area.

As far as the unlimited amount of children that I will have in a center once I receive my A. S. Degree, of course it coinsides with the size of the building, amount of employees, etc. But I would be able to have (in my center) as many children as the building allows.

I wasn't doubting you. I was just looking for clarification because the "unlimited" thing threw me off a bit...kwim? Plus, I was wondering about the certified teacher title because it seems every state varies so much on what types of trainings and requirements they have to be a provider and/or a teacher. My state is similar to yours as far as the basic requirements for a family child care provider but we also have certificates for people who specialize in infant/toddler care but no one here gets to be titled a teacher without a degree AND a license.

FTR: I am sort of in the same boat as you only I am working towards my B.A. in ECE but I would never call myself over qualified just better qualified. ;-)

[nannyde]

no one here gets to be titled a teacher without a degree AND a license.

It's so confusing because the word "teacher" is so diluted now. I don't even know what that means... cept I know I'm not one.

I know one thing... I definitely am NOT overqualified to do my job.

[Blackcat31]

It's so confusing because the word "teacher" is so diluted now. I don't even know what that means... cept I know I'm not one.

I know one thing... I definitely am NOT overqualified to do my job.

I agree. I recently taught my cat to walk on a leash. I wonder if I am a teacher? LOL!! Well, maybe I am a catherder? ::::

Every year I learn more and more and half of what I learn it is from the kiddos NOT the college so I don't think I am over qualified either!

[nannyde]

I agree. I recently taught my cat to walk on a leash. I wonder if I am a teacher? LOL!! Well, maybe I am a catherder? ::::

Every year I learn more and more and half of what I learn it is from the kiddos NOT the college so I don't think I am over qualified either!

You be Cathearder 2
I'll be Cathearder 3



I'll never be more than a babysitter. That's what I do best.

I'm not a teacher or a professional child care provider.

A simple babysitter is all I am.

I'm like Rain Man who says "I'm a very good driver".


"I'm a very good babysitter"

[permanentvacation]

Well, I am a professional childcare provider and a qualified infants and toddlers teacher and preschool teacher. I do not simply babysit - any 13 year old is qualified to babysit!

[nannyde]

any 13 year old is qualified to babysit!

Yes

I'll leave the professional certified teacher care to those who have earned it. I haven't.