From my perspective, the current public opinion in the United States with regard to the value and importance of early care and education for young children and families is divided. Within my own center families either recognize the importance of socialization, learning and curriculum, and structure for young children, but on the other hand families think of early care as a glorified babysitting service for working parents. In talking with others about early care and education, the public still do not know the difference between a daycare and an early learning center. Even some educators that have their children in care do not look at the teachers as educated professionals and more often than not parents are surprised to know that the teachers actually have degrees in education and are state certified. The seemingly sudden push in political platforms and in state and federal budget reforms to increase funding for early education programs shows the importance of investing in our youngest citizens.
I hope in the next five years that the public will as a whole realize just how essential and critical early education and care is for children. I hope the idea of daycare is reformed. Once everyone, most importantly parents, realize that early childhood education is beneficial for their children, we will see a change in ECE strands of service, systems, policies, and advocacy. We are already seeing the influence in policies and advocacy, but there's a lot more work to be done. I hope that with this increase of knowledge more children and families will have access to affordable child care, resources, and less children will be able to slip through the cracks, so to speak.
3 comments:
Hi Amber,
You made some very valid points in your blog. I have also come across the frustration that I feel in your words regarding the difference between child care and early childhood education and development. I feel as the public becomes aware of the difference they will appreciate the significance of the different services offered. One way that the public can be made aware of the education of each staff member is to post a copy of their diplomas or certificates on a business centerboard in the office. When I ran my childcare/preschool from my home in Oregon, the state required all registered childcare providers to post their childcare license and certifications on a board along with an emergency escape plan, report of the required state inspection of my home, food handler certificate, first aid, and CPR certificates and all educational degrees and/or certificates of nutrition courses taken. All of my clients and potential clients knew that I was following all of the required regulations and rules of state operated child care facilities.
Even though I ran my business from my home I provided quality service and because I posted all the expected information, others knew what to expect when they enlisted my services for childcare or preschool for their children.
I believe the only way to educate the public on the differences of child care services and early childhood educational development services is to keep them informed.
Amber,
My hope is the same as yours that the public realizes how important, essential and critical early childhood education and care is for children. I have stopped using the word daycare for several years now because of the stigma it places on the child care. We are early care professionals providing developmentally appropriate care and education to young children. I know that there is a strong push advocating for adequate funding for affordable early childhood education. My hope is that there will be more of us educators advocating strongly with our local and state policy makers about the importance of funding for early care.
Amber,
Some of the points you made in your posts are so completely true. It is up to us to advocate for our profession in order for the distinction to be made between babysitting and early childhood education. In addition to that because some early childhood facilities are daycare centers it is important not to look down on daycare centers but to make the difference in the types of services offer at kind of organizations.
Annie P.
Post a Comment