Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Friday is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day...
Today is Teacher Appreciation Day, but Friday is set aside to honor a special class of teacher of young children... the child care provider. It is estimated that, of the 21 million children under age 6 in America, 13 million are in child care at least part time. An additional 24 million school-age children are in some form of child care outside of school. Friday, May 12, is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, and commemorates the hard work, training and professionalism that comes with being an early childhood provider.
Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers, teachers and educators of young children everywhere. By calling attention to the importance of high-quality child care and early education, supporters of Provider Appreciation Day hope to improve the quality and availability of such services. National efforts are underway to ask child care organizations, public officials and parents to honor their child care providers for their hard work and dedication to our children. Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, Provider Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. The founding organizers saw the need to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Since then, momentum and support for this event have grown each year and recognition presently includes individuals and government organizations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Recognition takes many forms including state and municipal government proclamations, local media coverage, business and community events, and private acknowledgement of providers by parents.
A recent national study, The National Economic Impacts of the Child Care Sector sponsored by the National Child Care Association, shows that there are at least 2.8 million people who earn their money by teaching and caring for young children or by working in directly related jobs. Over the past decade, the demand for child care has increased. Who's minding the kids is crucial. Provider Appreciation Day is held so everyone can appreciate the number and importance of child care workers. The early childhood profession not only plays a critical role in supporting healthy families and children but is also a key part of our entire national economy.
Today's child care providers are the world's unsung heroes. Child care workers and teachers are indeed much more than babysitters. Most have recieved specific training or education and work in programs that are specifically designed to promote the optimal growth, education and development of young children. Yet sadly, childcare remains one of the most under paid and under recognized professions; yet early childhood is the most critical developmental period for all children. Each day we intrust these people with our most precious resource; our future. Parents and community leaders are encouraged to show their appreciation for child care providers through a variety of means from individual recognition to public events and local media coverage. It takes a special person to work in this field and their contribution to the quality of family life frequently goes unnoticed - until now.
The Center for the Childcare Workforce gives us a profile of the average childcare provider and the challenges they face. The daycare workforce is 98% female and one-third of those are women of color. The average center-based child care teacher nationwide earns roughly $7.00 an hour, despite above-average levels of education. Roughly one-third of teachers are paid the minimum wage. Even those at the highest end of the pay scale, who are likely to have a B.A. degree and several years of experience, earn on average barely $10.00 an hour. Family child care providers, who care for small groups of children in their own homes, earn even lower wages: providers who are subject to licensing or other forms of regulation earn less than $9,000 per year after expenses, and non-regulated providers earn less than $6,000. Despite a high exposure to illness on the job, fewer than one-third of child care workers have health insurance. Even fewer have a pension plan. Many are expected to work without breaks, and often for extra hours without pay.
It takes a dedicated person to be successful in the demanding world of today's child care professional. Provider Appreciation Day offers a unique opportunity to recognize and commend the unselfish dedication, compassion and strong family values that child care providers demonstrate everyday. Provider Appreciation Day needs your support to continue to be successful. Individuals and groups can network with other child care groups today and begin to plan events, schedule media coverage and issue proclamations. Begin to notify parents, community groups, and government leaders so that they, too, can participate in this important recognition event throughout your community.
Showing your appreciation to a child care provider need not be an expensive or elaborate gesture. Your are sure to warm a caregiver's day simply by taking a moment to remind them how much they mean to you and your child. A simple card or gift made by the child would surely be welcome. If you purchase a gift for a provider, you may wish to keep it simple. Gifts that support their work or help them "pamper" themselves, are always popular.
Whether a teacher of the very young or a child in school, these adults have dedicated their careers to helping young kids become successful in life! There are countless ways to show your appreciation...with the key message is to be sure to take the time to say how much you and your child care!
Today is Teacher Appreciation Day, but Friday is set aside to honor a special class of teacher of young children... the child care provider. It is estimated that, of the 21 million children under age 6 in America, 13 million are in child care at least part time. An additional 24 million school-age children are in some form of child care outside of school. Friday, May 12, is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, and commemorates the hard work, training and professionalism that comes with being an early childhood provider.
Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers, teachers and educators of young children everywhere. By calling attention to the importance of high-quality child care and early education, supporters of Provider Appreciation Day hope to improve the quality and availability of such services. National efforts are underway to ask child care organizations, public officials and parents to honor their child care providers for their hard work and dedication to our children. Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, Provider Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. The founding organizers saw the need to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Since then, momentum and support for this event have grown each year and recognition presently includes individuals and government organizations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Recognition takes many forms including state and municipal government proclamations, local media coverage, business and community events, and private acknowledgement of providers by parents.A recent national study, The National Economic Impacts of the Child Care Sector sponsored by the National Child Care Association, shows that there are at least 2.8 million people who earn their money by teaching and caring for young children or by working in directly related jobs. Over the past decade, the demand for child care has increased. Who's minding the kids is crucial. Provider Appreciation Day is held so everyone can appreciate the number and importance of child care workers. The early childhood profession not only plays a critical role in supporting healthy families and children but is also a key part of our entire national economy.
Today's child care providers are the world's unsung heroes. Child care workers and teachers are indeed much more than babysitters. Most have recieved specific training or education and work in programs that are specifically designed to promote the optimal growth, education and development of young children. Yet sadly, childcare remains one of the most under paid and under recognized professions; yet early childhood is the most critical developmental period for all children. Each day we intrust these people with our most precious resource; our future. Parents and community leaders are encouraged to show their appreciation for child care providers through a variety of means from individual recognition to public events and local media coverage. It takes a special person to work in this field and their contribution to the quality of family life frequently goes unnoticed - until now.
The Center for the Childcare Workforce gives us a profile of the average childcare provider and the challenges they face. The daycare workforce is 98% female and one-third of those are women of color. The average center-based child care teacher nationwide earns roughly $7.00 an hour, despite above-average levels of education. Roughly one-third of teachers are paid the minimum wage. Even those at the highest end of the pay scale, who are likely to have a B.A. degree and several years of experience, earn on average barely $10.00 an hour. Family child care providers, who care for small groups of children in their own homes, earn even lower wages: providers who are subject to licensing or other forms of regulation earn less than $9,000 per year after expenses, and non-regulated providers earn less than $6,000. Despite a high exposure to illness on the job, fewer than one-third of child care workers have health insurance. Even fewer have a pension plan. Many are expected to work without breaks, and often for extra hours without pay.
It takes a dedicated person to be successful in the demanding world of today's child care professional. Provider Appreciation Day offers a unique opportunity to recognize and commend the unselfish dedication, compassion and strong family values that child care providers demonstrate everyday. Provider Appreciation Day needs your support to continue to be successful. Individuals and groups can network with other child care groups today and begin to plan events, schedule media coverage and issue proclamations. Begin to notify parents, community groups, and government leaders so that they, too, can participate in this important recognition event throughout your community.
Showing your appreciation to a child care provider need not be an expensive or elaborate gesture. Your are sure to warm a caregiver's day simply by taking a moment to remind them how much they mean to you and your child. A simple card or gift made by the child would surely be welcome. If you purchase a gift for a provider, you may wish to keep it simple. Gifts that support their work or help them "pamper" themselves, are always popular.
Whether a teacher of the very young or a child in school, these adults have dedicated their careers to helping young kids become successful in life! There are countless ways to show your appreciation...with the key message is to be sure to take the time to say how much you and your child care!
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 3:22 PM 
