In Support of Child Care Teachers

Child care is undoubtedly one of the most overworked and underpaid jobs in the employment industry today. Even for those with a college degree who choose to pursue this dedicated and invaluable line of work, the starting pay is often less than $10.00 per hour. What much of society doesn't realize is just what goes on day to day in the life of a child care provider in corporate or franchise owned centers. Although it is one of the most rewarding jobs one can have, it can also be one of the most physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting as well.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the early years are especially crucial in regards to children's cognitive, social, and emotional developments. Therefore, we must ensure that children are cared for and nurtured in a secure environment where these needs are met. Otherwise, they may experience learning and developmental delays in early childhood and further down the road.

It's no secret that the turnover rate in daycare centers across the nation is alarmingly high. This not only concerns the daycare directors or franchise owners, but parents as well. Many parents are faced with the heart wrenching and sometimes daunting task of putting their most precious assets in someone else's care. The daycare facilities standards, expectations, cleanliness, cost, and curriculum all are important factors when considering a daycare, but so are the people who actually interact with the children all day long as well. We expect so much from teachers who care for our children, as we should, but sadly these people who care, nurture, and enrich them often get little praise or recognition and are expected to perform tasks beyond their job description.

As an example, a typical day in the toddler room is anything but dull. The lead teacher is expected to not only write lesson plans, but follow through with the established curriculum as much as possible in a room full of five or more little toddlers, some of which may not be fully walking yet. The teacher may attempt to sit them down and read a story, but then smells the all too familiar aroma of a dirty diaper. The teacher must stop with the circle time and of course take care of the most urgent situation, while trying to monitor the other curious little cuties. In this group, there is more than likely a fearless one who will climb on tables, chairs, shelves, and instill anxiety in the teacher who is trying to change a diaper. Meanwhile the teacher is trying to discourage the other child from climbing and therefore risking injury to himself or herself. If that's not enough, there may be another child who constantly needs to be held in order to be satisfied. If all we have is two arms, then it becomes very difficult to do it all. When the lunch cart comes into the room, the teacher is expected to sit the little ones down while helping the kitchen worker set up the table. Since toddlers are so curious at this age, some of them naturally want to explore the cart and get the food themselves, even trying to climb on the cart. The teacher is expected to sit the little ones in their seats while discouraging them from exploring the cart and make sure noone is trying to climb on top of the table. Most centers have an established nap time, so the teacher is expected to change everyone's diaper, wash their hands and faces, clean off the tables and floor, and soothe the little ones to sleep. It's usually a miracle if all of this happens within the established time frame. There are always toys to pick up and clean, since everything at this age tends to go in the mouth. During nap times, teachers are expected to write a daily report for the parents. This can be difficult at times to accomplish if there are children who are fussy and thus have a hard time falling asleep. Yet we often wonder why daycare teachers don't stick around and thus decide to work elsewhere.

Furthermore, some child care centers expect their lead teachers to write lesson plans during their off times. Unfortunately, they don't get paid for writing lesson plans outside of work hours. In addition, many of these centers offer no health benefits whatsoever. Our government wonders why so many Americans are without health care coverage. It doesn't take rocket science to figure that one out. If that's not enough, the teachers are also expected to sweep and mop the floors and take out the trash. Many teachers have been made to feel as though they are janitors and wonder why the centers don't hire cleaning staff to do undertake the task, as if they don't already have their plate full. Many childcare centers will try to get away with putting more children in a room and thus go over ratio in order to save the cost of labor.

It boggles the mind as to why the people who draw up divorce decrees, wills, probates, deeds, pre-nuptual agreements, and so forth make significantly more money than the ones who care for our most precious assets: our children. This is implying that business affairs are more important than human beings. It's a travesty that this is the case in our society.

These issues should concern not only teachers and parents, but society as a whole as well. We need to do something about the alarming rate of daycare turnover. It is for the overall well-being of our children. The people who love, nurture, and enrich our children's lives everyday need to be recognized and appreciated more than they currently are. Instead of pointing out what they do wrong, let's point out what they are doing right. As teachers and parents, we are taught to practice positive reinforcement with our children. Shouldn't we do the same with the people who dedicate themselves everyday with our children? If we were quick to point out the positives and perhaps pay them what they are truly worth, then we might reduce the turnover problem.