Childcare, what it means to me.
Freedom.
Family.
Fun.
These are all words that I use to describe what being a child care provider means to me.
I have the freedom to be my own boss. I can develop my program to be how I want it to be.
I can spend time with my family when I want to. I was able to be there to raise all three of my boys myself. I can go to school trips, plays, meetings. I can play with my children, take them to conferences with me.
Being a childcare provider is so much fun, I don't understand why everyone doesn't do it.
But then if everyone did it, they wouldn't need me. ;)
And that to me is also what child care means. To be a necessary part of the world.
In this ever chaning world. This rapid mobility of technology and trend. One thing remains the same.
People have children. Adopt, Foster, Birth. However, or wherever they obtain the little humans, they are a constant in our society.
That is where I as a childcare provider come in.
My job will for the most part, always be secure because people will always need someone to look after there children while they work, play, study etc.
Although childcare will always remain necessary, the levels of quality in childcare will change. Continuosly.
As a mom and a passionate child care advocate, I applaud the governments efforts to increase the quality of care in childcare programs both large and small.
I was a little miffed that Obama's State of the Union address last year focused on quality childcare before I had recieved my CDA Credential but that's what happens when you procrastinate.
Anyway, I digress.
Putting the focus on early care for every child is only part of what goes into quality child care. Provider education and professional development is what will allow the quality in a program to shine though.
If child care providers have the knowledge and resources to educate, care for, and nurture children in physical, emotional, and intellectual ways; the quality of that child's care will increase exponentially.
My desire is for all childcare providers to obtain the knowledge and resources necessary to create a quality childcare environment conducive to the early learning, development and education of thed children in there care.
It is to that end that I write these words, and offer my advice, experience and expertise to the providers I come in contact with on a regular basis.
I can only hope my words reach those who need them and use them to improve, or enhance the quality of care in there childcare program.
~Tiffany
