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The World of Family Child Care
October 19, 2007
I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.
-Jorge Luis Borges
-Jorge Luis Borges
“Family child care is the care of choice for millions of families throughout our country and around the world. It offers parents care that is personalized and convenient. It allows children to play and learn in a natural setting with flexible hours that support family strength. It fosters strong bonds between children, caregivers, and families and supports the culture of the children and families. We know from brain development research that it is critical for children to be able to learn to trust, and to form lasting relationships with their parents and primary caregivers in order for them to be ready for school and successful as adults. Family child care offers the individual attention to children that helps them to thrive and learn through play....
“We face [a]…challenge in the field of family child care �" respect for providers and the profession. We know all too well that the term babysitter is still used when referring to a provider. This is not a semantics game. Until we raise respect for providers, for the profession, for the early childhood field at large, we will never be able to raise the income for those who work with our youngest citizens....
“The National Association for Family Child Care has built a strong foundation for our field. We have been working to meet the needs of providers for 25 years. We are up to the challenges we face and are excited to look forward to many more years of connecting providers and advocates one by one to the support systems that will make them strong. We are creating models of excellence every day.”
This week The Art of Leadership: Managing Early Childhood Organizations is on sale at the Exchange web site. This comprehensive guidebook includes sections on leadership, organizational management, financial management, personnel management, program development, and community relations.
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Comments (8)
Displaying 5 of 8 Comments [ View all ]Pam\'s Child Care Home
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Thank you, Exchange for the great article on family child care. I have been a family provider since 1993. I am also the president of a local area family child network. I have seen great improvements in my field. Family providers are professionals, you have to believe in your self in order for other to believe in you. Treat your self with respect and speak up for family child care providers. I have come along way since I started watching children. From a young mom with two small children that wanted to stay home with them and be there for them and my great spouse, who has supported me along the way,to going back to college, and winning two national awards. So,I say to family provider step out of your box and see how far you can go.
Golden Concept training
Denver, CO, United States
What a wonderful write up for the National Association of Family Child Care.
A former family Child Care Provider for over twenty years, and a past Board Member of NAFCC I know the struggle for family child care providers being accepted as Professionals in the early child care field. We have come along way but, we must show society through education, accreditation and providing quality care that we are here to stay.
I was first introduced to NAFCC under the watch of Barbara Taylor as President however, it was Barbara Sawyer who encouraged me to become an active part of NAFCC and Chris Cross who continued to encourage me.
I want to thank you Exchange Every Day for such a wonderful article and recogining family child care professional.
Kidink Preschool, LLC
United States
NAFCC has many wonderful contributions to its members and to the field of Early Childhood Education...
I have been working with young children and their families for over 11 years. I am currently the President of SMAEYC, a CA Early Childhood Mentor to aspiring early childhood professionals and an ECE graduate student.
I was formerly a NAFCC accredited program and have been going through much turmoil with NAFCC's re-accreditation process. It has not been as "seemless" as NAFCC states.
One of the main reasons preschool teachers and providers are viewed as babysitters is because they babysit. I understand the fact that many providers and preschool teachers have to "moonlight" to earn enough money to make ends meet, but this is extremely damaging when we struggle for professionalism.
Stating that family child care providers offer "flexible" hours is a huge problem. Providers already work longer hours than center based care givers.There is no lunch hour and breaks away from the children. Working "flexible" hours obviously benefits the working parents/guardians, but we all know that providers are not getting paid or treated any better for doing so.
I ask you, why are we perceived as babysitters and not "real" teachers? Another example... A NAFCC representative contacted me to schedule my re-accreditation observer visit on Independence Day. Maybe I am incorrect, but don't all teachers in the United States of America observe the 4th of July as a non-working holiday?
I am highly offended that the national accreditation organization I am a member of does not respect me as a professional. Am I not a professional who deserves holidays, vacations, and family leave?
I am a strong advocate for young children and their familes, but even more so for the ECE teachers. Providers may want to consider operating with "set" hours and a Monday through Friday schedule, observing national holidays, taking vacations and breaks... all while being paid to do so. Do we not all have contractual agreements with our clients? If we exude professionalism, our clients will appreciate it and our field will benefit from it.
STEVENS PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE, INC.
Louisville, CO, United States
As a licensed family child care provider for 31 plus years, family child care has truly come a long way. I have had the privilege of being an active NAFCC member for 20 years. NAFCC Accreditation Process launched in 1988 is truly a gift to our profession.
thank you Exchange for a wonderful article, recognizing the profession of family child care.
United States
Although I'm not a founding member of NAFCC, I, too, have been involved for 20 years. NAFCC has had a deep impact on my life both personally and professionally. It's also helped to bring family child care to the forefront of the field and continues to build respect and recognition for the field. Without partnerships such as those with Exchange this wouldn't be possible. Thanks, not just for a wonderful article, but for valuing family child care as an important part of the early childhood field.
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