Monday, January 28, 2008
Good Child Care vs No Child Care...
It seems like we hear this type of argument every time the issue of improving quality of care comes up. Believe me when I say that as an independent business owner, the last thing I want is for a governemntal agency to tell me how I have to run my business.
BUT, stories of abuse and unsafe conditions are prevelant in the media every day. Unfortunately there are some people who do not follow basic child care procedures without some sort of oversight (children kept locked up, kids duct taped to walls, etc... just read the papers or watch the news). These are the people that give our profession a bad name. And more importantly, the safety and health of children in these situations is at stake... There does need to be some basic guidelines and rules to be able to care for children. I think that most of us would not have a problem complying with some increased educational requirements and in fact many of you are probably already far above any minimum requirements.
Family child care providers, as a profession, have tried to increase our professionalism and improve our image and are distressed by the image that our occupation has with the public. Yet we are often the first to cry out if we hear of changes that may help accomplish this goal. Some things that come to mind include the Parent Aware and child care rating process currently being tested in Minnesota. While I do have some issues with how this is being done, the overall concept to improve quality of care is a good ideal.
Most people hate change, but not all change is bad. We should always strive to improve and become better at what we do. As professionals, we should embrace change, new information, and improved methods. If we don't, it would be kind of like doctors continuing to use leeches to heal illnesses...
I realize that it may make it more difficult for some parents to find child care... but I can't help but feel that children would be better off without child care than risk bad or dangerous child care. What are your thoughts?
It seems like we hear this type of argument every time the issue of improving quality of care comes up. Believe me when I say that as an independent business owner, the last thing I want is for a governemntal agency to tell me how I have to run my business.
BUT, stories of abuse and unsafe conditions are prevelant in the media every day. Unfortunately there are some people who do not follow basic child care procedures without some sort of oversight (children kept locked up, kids duct taped to walls, etc... just read the papers or watch the news). These are the people that give our profession a bad name. And more importantly, the safety and health of children in these situations is at stake... There does need to be some basic guidelines and rules to be able to care for children. I think that most of us would not have a problem complying with some increased educational requirements and in fact many of you are probably already far above any minimum requirements.
Family child care providers, as a profession, have tried to increase our professionalism and improve our image and are distressed by the image that our occupation has with the public. Yet we are often the first to cry out if we hear of changes that may help accomplish this goal. Some things that come to mind include the Parent Aware and child care rating process currently being tested in Minnesota. While I do have some issues with how this is being done, the overall concept to improve quality of care is a good ideal.
Most people hate change, but not all change is bad. We should always strive to improve and become better at what we do. As professionals, we should embrace change, new information, and improved methods. If we don't, it would be kind of like doctors continuing to use leeches to heal illnesses...
I realize that it may make it more difficult for some parents to find child care... but I can't help but feel that children would be better off without child care than risk bad or dangerous child care. What are your thoughts?
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 10:14 AM 
