Pure Parents

Question:

> >iI consider it a fact that a child cannot recieve the proper >nuturing >in a facility where the infant adult ratio is four to one. In >this >state ( wisconsin) that is the rule. > O.K., then instead of all this "I’m right and you’re wrong" stuff let’s > work to get the laws changed so that the ratios are more realistic and the > salaries higher for daycare workers.  Why not institute a program of > certification for daycare workers such as is needed for teachers?  Why not > require daycare workers to receive ongoing education?  Why not work to > provide working conditions and benefits in daycare facilities that entice > the best and most dedicated people?  

Thank you Mary!!  I was involved in this conversation a few weeks ago and made a similar plea, but it seems that most respondents are more comfortable arguing about who is doing what’s right for thier children than being part of a solution.   I am in the administration of a corporate sponsored child care center where ratios are excellent (3/1 infants up to 7/1 five’s).  The woman who talked about her "good quality day care" with a ratio of 12/1 for 5 year olds is sadly mistaken – that’s not high quality, it’s a kid barn. Ratios are the primary indicator of a quality program.  I am also involved in our community ECE group and a member of the NAEYC.  Both of these groups (every state has them) work toward increasing the quality of child care.  We all know someone who has a horror story about child care.  THAT is what we need to change.  We need to be involved and lobby against low pay, no benefits, poor training, high ratios, etc. etc.   We also need to stop placing blame on those parents who chose the option of child care for their families.  Why do we attack parents who say they find it hard to spend the entire day with their child?  They are being honest.  Children are different at every age, and some stages are difficult for some parents to handle.  Personally, I didn’t care much for the baby stage, but liked toddlerhood. I thought I would miss that stage until we got into the five through nine year old stage, which was by far my favorite.  Now my daughter is 13, and I’m not crazy about this phase at all!  I’m not saying I don’t love her, I have always loved her, done what’s best for her, and been available for her. I’m just being honest and saying some stages were easier to handle than others.  What’s wrong with finding a great program where they can socialize with peers in programs where the adults love children enough to have chosen the work as their profession?  Yes, there ARE those programs available – I work in one. By the way, I stayed home with my daughter until she was three, and then she went into a Montessori program.  I defy anyone to tell her apart from a child who spent her whole young childhood either at home or at a quality child care program.  I have been in this field for a long time and I know that children are highly adaptable.   One last note – we have parents who have left our program to stay at home.  Some love it.  Some are back at our doorstep in two months saying they had no idea how hard it would be and how much their child misses "school".  Unfortunately, we have a waiting list of over 500 people, so it’s not easy to get back in. I applaud parents who chose to stay home.  But I also applaud parents who find the best care for their child they can and head back to their job-out-of-the-home.  We all do what’s best for our families.  Let’s work together to try to make each choice acceptable.  That’s all you’ll hear out of me on the subject – you can continue your arguing now! Laurie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > ……By the way, I stayed home with my daughter until she was three, > and then she went into a Montessori program.  I defy anyone to tell her apart > from a child who spent her whole young childhood either at home or at a > quality child care program.  I have been in this field for a long time > and I know that children are highly adaptable.   > Yes that is part of the problem (as it were) — children are highly adaptable. > So much so that with some attachment failings, the results do not show until adulthood. > However good luck and I’m sure you have done your best. > — > AlanC+ >