why do ppl seem 2 think that childcare workers are babysitters??

Elizabeth - posted on 01/10/2013

Because childcare directors, at least here in the United States, pay "educators" worse off than babysitters, yet, require ECD degrees, CPR certification and all skills that cost WAY more than what you can hope to take home an hour. Furthermore, many parents, due to the economy, lack of assistance during pregnancy and after (i.e. breastfeeding in the workplace being problematic, discrimination, lack of jobs) need to put children in daycares that cost about the same or less as a baby sitter.

I know from first hand experience- I'm a mother who has had no choice but to consider opting for $30 a day childcare in order to put food on the table and have had the joy of working in a daycare center as an "educator" but being offered an average of $8-10 an hour in NY- one of the most expensive areas to live in.

If employers began treating employees as assets instead of liabilities that simply "cost them money," and we didn't put a price tag or value on everything, and people could accept (and afford) what childcare SHOULD cost, attitudes would change.

Mary - posted on 01/07/2013

mothers you need to realized the mind of a child 0-5 is not ready for school they need to first learn who they are develop a life purpose this is the time of life when that takes place. If you have to work and send your child to a daycare center . you have to find a daycare center that provides for the infant to 5 year old child s development. Which means a safe private place for them to sleep and play . I would want for my daycare provider to have a private room or small enclosed area for the kids to sleep and play with a lamp, soft music and toys for them to be able to move about in a space with a kiddie gate on the door so that the childcare worker can see them . have smaller rooms with a few kids to each room for eating and story time. more childcare workers per child care center.

Mary - posted on 01/07/2013

Childcare centers these days need to be basically overhauled. childcare workers need to realize that they are more than babysitters they are responsible for the upbringing of children they are not just mediators and if they are they need to be fired or retrained for their profession. A child before the age of 6 needs a lot of quiet time to learn about themselves as individuals where the mind develops into the person the ARE not the group think. School age is a time when they learn to associate with others. I think childcare centers need to provide for the tiny ones as well as the school age ones and little private rooms would be the thing of the future with a lamp a mat some toys and some soft kiddie music. That insures comfort in a child and lets their tiny minds become who they are. learn about themselves . remember yourself in your tiny room your mind imagining creating thoughts devising ways likes dislikes . a person first learns about themselves mostly to do that it takes privacy and thought rest and a safe peaceful place to do so.

Angel - posted on 01/03/2013

My son is at a daycare and I have always referred to his childcare providers as teachers. They do not babysit him. I make sure I attend the parent teacher nights and school events. I have never used the term babysitter or thought of his teachers as such.

Chris, you may want to look at your own grammatical errors before pointing out other peoples.

Chris Tom - posted on 12/24/2012

IIdiko,if people do not want children;then,they need to use birth control.

Chris Tom - posted on 12/24/2012

Tara,I do not mean to be disrespectful to you.However,the reason that many people think that childcare workers are babysitters is because that is their main duty.Parents take their children to daycares;or,"learning centers" (as they like to think of it),to keep them safe.Obviously,it would be ideal to have the workers teach whatever is possible.But,the term "educator" is a bit far fetched.First,you have several grammatical errors in your post.Most likely,a daycare worker needs only a high school diploma or a GED.The standards,pay,and expectations are not much for a daycare worker.You should go to a vocational scool or a college and get a certification,diploma,or degree before you call yourself a teacher or educator.People who get the credientials to call themselves a teacher or an educator usually get better paying jobs at places with higher standards for employment.For example,you wouldn't expect a balanced and gourmet meal at Burger King.You would go to a upscale place or eat at home.

Michelle - posted on 02/19/2012

I totally agree, I get introduced to other people as " this is my sons/daughters babysitter " and it really frustrates me.

I have my degree in e.c.e and my educational aide, It's a real job and I get paid from the gov't like some people b/c I live in alberta!

Lotte - posted on 06/07/2011

only because they haven't been educated, it's merely a social stigma. some do not understand there is actually theory and practice behind ECE key word being EDUCATION, they see daycare and assume thats all we do. They do not understand the difference between off the street babysitters and those who work hard to qualify for for their Diploma ad status as an Early Childhood Educator.
-ECE student and mother of 2 kids plus 11 weeks pregnant...again!

Leshia - posted on 07/13/2009

In so many ways, Ildiko, I agree with you. Everyone has the equal right to use childcare as they chose and it is in some ways unprofessional for an employee to act otherwise. But consider this as maybe the issue that the other post was referring to: As you said, you as (a good parent, which I know you are) said you hope that all children can be with their parents as much as they need and want. In a childcare setting sometimes we hear parents who literally say they don't want to spend time with their children, even calling the children names, and being privy to so much information we know that some parents chose not to work and openly admit to being at a bar all day when its not even Friday and will even attempt to pick up their children intoxicated. Because childcare providers are state mandated reporters, we report this information NOT because an employee wants to get out of their work shift on time, but to make sure that the child is not the victim any longer. There are many times parents just need a break, and I agree then the customer as a parent, should be respected, but far too often children are put into bad circumstances and that's who should always come first.

Ildiko - posted on 07/13/2009

To be honest, I think it's unprofessional of the first poster to dictate which reasons are acceptable to use childcare. Why does a parent working out of the home have more of a right to use childcare than a parent who does not work out of the home? I absolutely hope that all children can be with their parents as much as they need and want. However, when the child must be in the care of another, why in the world would you judge the parent's reasons? Have some respect for your customers and maybe they will respect you!

Leshia - posted on 07/11/2009

As a 8 year Director of the largest childcare chain in the US, I tell my staff who share your frustration that the biggest way we can make change is through pushing for better government support, hold our teachers accountible for their professionalism, and strive for higher educational qualifications for teachers. We do this through our own efforts as educators- continuing our education and really pushing that to our families. We value and are passionate about what we do that study to be a better provider for your child- nurturing is NOT just changing diapers and wiping noses; its evaluating your child's developmentally appropriate practices and providing quality advice to our parents to help their already busy schedules. Sometimes its hard to find parents who care about what the teachers did, just as long as their child was safe. Sometimes, we will not reach parents (they call it "daycare" not childcare) but with our professional efforts and passion, we can help families realize our work is the most important work in their child's early years of education! Don't be discouraged....

Natasha - posted on 06/24/2009

Get this yesterday afternoon my partner who is a director had to stay back to cover ratio due to the fact that at 5pm there was still 40 children in the centre and it closes at 6pm! It's only a 50 or so place centre! when he was able to leave he found/ saw parents at the pubs drinking! his centre is in the city! This really frustrates me due to the fact that my partner had to sacrafice time with our son so that parents could drink and socialise instead of spending time with their children!

Melissa - posted on 04/28/2009

Who doesnt! I believe thats why childcare workers and teachers are paid as poorly as we are. Until society steps up and recognizes that what WE do everyday shapes the lives and behaviors of Americas youth (in most cases) , then im afraid we must continue to do what we love for little pay and let the only reward be those GREAT parents with GREAT kids that would never take you for granted :)

Christine Weinandt - posted on 04/19/2009

i had a special needs daycare for along time.....but i often took kids kicked out of all the other daycares...ADD mostly... i found parents fell into two catorgries.......

one who respects you and is thrilled to have thier child in a safe enviorment filled with learning and love..... and then thier are those who think....1)they must make way more money than me..... for watching thier kids.... 2)shes at home.... its not like she has plans shes going to be home anyway... why not come late... i would really like to go grocery shopping without my child..3)they are not really working they are at home.. or just playing with kids



when reality is..... if youdo daycare you work 50-70 hrs a week... you dont get breaks...you need to be a caregiver that makes sure thier mind body self-esteem social skills, math...i could go on forever.....the realitiy is we see the kids more than the parents so you are a huge role model.. i had one family with a couple AD/HD kids taht were alot of work for his parents...always late.. called me so much to watach etc after hours on weekends i got caller id and stoppped answering.. then they would show up..... being i can "control" thier kids and have fun with thier kids when they cant.... i dont need anytime off for my own kids or my own time...

she is one of the reasons i quit daycare.. i miss it so much though...im thinking of starting up again...even though my kids are almost 16 18 21 lol



also if you do daycare.... and you are great at it... you should charge more... i always charged twice what everyone did...weeds out parents hard to deal with

and im taking kids no one else will take....even though they were easy for me.....its still worth more.....so if your parents treat you like babysitter....if you work in private daycarre............charge more.....charge off hour fees....of alot going rate atm where i live is 10-15 and hour....late fees dont work.. they look at is as ok... they are paying you so it is ok.... no late fees............. they CANT come late

if they come late too many times they gotta .... if you are a great provider...they will move the earth not to be late.....i had most of daycare kids til they out grew me.... infact best things that happen now is sometimesthey stop buy... or visit from out of town..... i think im off topic sorry lol.. child care in a big faciltly or at home comes with alot of preconcieved ideas from parents.......just remember....you work with kids cause you are great at it...

if you have parents who dont respect you throw out comments like.....



yes isnt that a wonderful skill your child improving on today (putting shoes on by self, potty training, sharing, helping others whatever it was) thats why i think child care is the most rewarding job there is.. i get to help them become great ppl and help them



and remember it doesnt matter what they say or think...........YOU ARE DOING THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB raising tommarrows families

Nicky - posted on 04/19/2009

Been there done that!!!!! I know what you mean.

Antonia - posted on 03/12/2009

It is because parents are not interested. Many of the parents at my kindy dont actually listen to what they are being told, dont read notices or newletters that outline what their children are learning, and some I think dont expect the children to be taught. All some parents are looking for are babysitters, and therefore dont have enough to do with the centre to recognise that it is a learning environment

Christina - posted on 03/04/2009

I'm a director of a center and my teachers of the younger crowd often just want to know if they ate, went to the bathroom, and napped. The parents of the older kids are interested in what they learned. Many parents don't look at the teachers as educators, just glorified babysitters. I actually confronted a parent once and told them that many of our teachers are parents themselves and know what it is like to be a mother. What gets me are those parents of 2 or more kids telling us that they can't handle their children on their own.

Kathy - posted on 03/04/2009

I think alot of it depends on how the director approaches the situation. If she/he promotes the center as an educational center of learning, the parents will begin to see it that way also. It also depends on what the parent see happening when they come by. Are the kids always on the playground or planted in front of a TV? This leads them to think of babysitting. If the kids are doing some form of learning and bringing thengs home constantly to show off what they have learned, the parents will see that you are not a babysitting service. Another sign is how you are dressed. Are you dressed professionally in some style of a uniform or do you go to work everyday in shorts or jeans and t-shirts. Again this all comes down from the top and how your director approaches things.

Elizabeth - posted on 03/04/2009

hi im a childminder at mo and i get regular messages from the child i care for, can u baby sit """ as a extra on tues ect, it winds me up but all u can do is explain ur job to them, , and worked in nurseryies from 2001- 2008 and find it hard tobelive how some paretns send their children all day every day and then they need a break on the weekend so the children go off to grandparents. i love having my children around me and the older one goes morning to pre school, witch he could go full time to but i don c the point when i can look after him at home, i have my childcare qulifications but paretns do just seem to look down at u as a baby sitter. i dont think it will ever change.

Nicole - posted on 02/23/2009

I have had that alot, my son comes to my daycare and some of the parents that have seen me with him now look at me alot different. Our director always introduces me to the new parents now. I worked in childcare before I had my kids but I don't think that I would look at a caregiver as a babysitter and I to do not understand how people think that way.

Melinda - posted on 02/22/2009

Hi Tara, My mother in law workes in childcare and she quite regularly comes home from work and explains how some kids are there from open til close even when the parent doesn't work and as a stay at home mum I don't understand why if you dont work look after your own kids and if you do only send them to daycare for as long as you need so you can spend the rest of the time you have watching them grow. Chilcare centres are there to help parents who work and not for you to dump your kids on the poor people who have to watch your child take thier first steps. Sorry I'm getting a bit out of hand but I do believe it is important for the parents to care for their children as much as they can even if they have to work.