Section II: The Childcare Providers
The Childcare Providers
Childcare is a highly misunderstood, overlooked and greatly underappreciated occupation. It is not a coveted occupation that comes with a lot of acknowledgment or respect. In fact, providers are often referred to as “babysitters”. Many think childcare is an easy job that just about anyone can do, but in reality, that is far from the truth. Just as we are all not cut out to be astronauts, pilots, doctors or lawyers, the same is true for childcare providers. This is a profession that requires a special knack for working with children all day, having extraordinary patience, the ability to multi-task, and a deep passion, love and understanding for children and their development.
From the outside, it may look quite simple: you drop your child off with their provider, they wave goodbye to you, and off to work you go. Then at pickup time, you greet your child, you are told they had a fun day, you say thank you, and off you go again to begin your busy nightly routine of being a parent. Do you ever stop to think about all of the things that are happening at daycare during that time? Do you appreciate all the work your provider is doing which allows you to work and earn a living in the first place?
A typical day for a childcare provider consists of many things, and for the most part, no two days are ever alike. One thing that does remain consistent is the magnitude of responsibility they are given in caring for children’s lives. Despite all the demands that come with this responsibility, childcare providers are the last to be thanked for their services but the first to be blamed when an issue arises with a child. We want to offer due recognition to the childcare providers that show up, day after day, and perform a job that can be very mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting. They perform this job, sometimes with long hours and low pay, because they are passionate about working with children and they love what they do! Their real payback is the smiles they see on the children’s faces they work with, and the positive impact they know they’ve helped make in their lives.
Each new day will bring a new set of challenges but great providers will greet you with a fresh smile, renewed energy and positive attitude, ready to inspire, educate and entertain your child all over again. Providers who do this from the heart and with the right intentions are absolutely priceless.
The following true stories will give an accurate portrayal of this profession from the daycare provider’s perspective. These stories will take you “behind the scenes” and into the minds of providers to uncover valuable, eye-opening information parents can learn from. These stories will not only reveal the positive impact the right daycare provider can have on a child, but they will also highlight the negative impact a poor daycare provider can have on a child as well.