Daycare

[Cyrone]

I was listening to a programme on a local radio station from Focus On The Family , and they were really bashing daycare. I love to listen to their programmes (usually), but I found that they portrayed a really negative aspect of daycare. They seemed to be promoting that mothers should opt to stay home and take care of the kids , or find any other alternative than daycare. I am not naive and I know that there are folks out there who have no business working at any establishment that deals with kids. However as a daycare provider, I was really offended at some of the things they said. Now I do not know how daycare in the USA is monitored, but in Barbados , they shut you down pretty quickly if you are not up to standard. They don't mess about when it comes to children and the enviroment is homelike and caring. They even promote men working in daycare so as to provide for children with no father figures at home. Did anyone ever hear that programme? What are your veiws on daycare vs homecare?

[Brooke]

Well, I am also currently in the daycare field and im sure if I were listening i'd be offended too. Daycares have nowadays many requirements and codes they have to go by. We as daycare teachers have to continually go to classes to refresh on cpr, dealing with blood, ect. I am also expecting my first child and I ask myself should I stay at home and nurture and love and homeschool my child? I haven't made up my mind yet. I dont think there is a right or a wrong answer to this. I think it is a preference. I do think that public schools touch on too wide variety of subjects, while homeschooling you stick to the basics and then if you see your child spark an intrest you can expand on it.

[Cyrone]

That is so true. I think instead of stereotyping the service, it will be better to advise parents to ask questions and turn up unannounced at Daycare Centres if you are not sure about the level of care your child might be receiving. I have had parents visit my daycare with made up excuses just to see what goes on. I welcome it. Then they get to see first hand that we are consistent and not just putting on a show. Of course I pretend to be ignorant of the pretext for the visit. I am a parent too and understand. Like you I have to go training often. The Child care Board here keep monthly meetings for caregivers and of course it is also mandatory that we update and maintain our first aid skills, teaching skills and so on. So to you parents (to be) out there. Just make sure you do adequate research about a daycare centre before enrolling your child. Make sure that they are legal and have done all that is required in your country. seek out parents of kids who attend the centre and get feedback from them. Like anything else know what you are 'buying'. Not all daycare centres are bad. Infact the bad ones are the exception not the rule.