It’s Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day . I know some people have chosen to stay home and find it fulfilling. I applaud them for their determination to follow the path that works best for their family. I needed to return to work after my 1 year of maternity leave came to an end and Reid needed to be out and about with other kids. Our family was lucky to find a high-quality daycare centre where Reid has flourished. I very much believe the axiom, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Good daycare allows the mamas among us who choose and/or need to work outside the home. Of course, it is the teachers and caregivers that make or break a daycare. Today I’d like to pay tribute to all caregivers – those who watch after Reid and those who care for your kids, too.
The teachers have nurtured Reid’s creative side, helped to develop her independence and self-help skills, challenged her to see exactly what she is capable or and comforted her when she needed it. They provide advice to us parents, too. I haven’t always taken it but I do appreciate that they had Reid’s best interests in mind. Reid has had few troubles at daycare, but when we have – like when Reid was having that bullying trouble – the teachers have been responsive and acted to resolve the issue immediately.
I love my daughter immensely. I like kids generally but I know I don’t have the patience and other skills to manage 8 three- or four-year-olds at a time. I certainly couldn’t have managed 4 infants nor even 5 toddlers. There are special people who are able to these things while being playful and nurturing and so much more. I am glad that Reid spends her weekdays with some of them.
If you would like to learn more about the state of childcare, visit Code Blue for Childcare or the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare. Today might be just the day to write a letter to your Member of Parliament or your representative in your provincial or territorial legislature (or whatever your representative in whichever system you’re living in).