Happy Parenting!

There is much to be said about child care providers, and I am sure that this post will inevitably end up being part of a blog series on here. Nonetheless, it can be said that most parents are left to wonder if they are getting what they are paying for.

There are many avenues of childcare, if you are a working parent, you would more than likely opt for either a relative (if you're lucky) or a major-chain childcare center. There are those who may have an affinity towards home-childcare facilities. All have perks, and downfalls.

Childcare is one of those things that may leave parents forever wondering if they have made the right decision. Speaking from experience, I have tried all categories of childcare, and have been sadly disappointed for several reasons. When you opt to go for a major-childcare center, most of the time you are not informed that the staff is primarily made up of non-degreed, (in many cases) unprofessional employees. Depending on the state in which you reside, you will be interested in learning that in order to work at a childcare center one need only be 18 years of age and have taken a 80-90 credit, certification course. There is a HUGE difference between a certification course and Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Most (a rough generalization would be 75%) of the staff have only taken a certification course. This means that they attend a class and that's it. There is no required internship for passing the course, and in many cases CPR is not instructed in these courses. Here lies an issue - it can be assumed that anyone who loves children can sign up for the certification course and then work around your child.

This is the same with in-home, childcare providers. They operate out of their homes and have to meet state licensing requirements which (depending on your state) does not mean that these individuals are required to do an internship in a childcare facility in order to be licensed to watch children. This simply means that anyone can say "I want to start a daycare in my home" and after meeting state requirements they are "qualified" to watch children.

This may be a bit extreme but I feel that if a doctor has to go to medical school, get degreed, and do a residency to service patients, then a childcare provider should have to attend college, and be properly trained in childhood education and social psychology of children as well as get a degree and do an internship before they are allowed to watch children. Teachers in school systems are degreed, why aren't childcare providers. More to come on this issue....