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Date: 10/3/2006 2:53:00 PM
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Author:
Anissa
(anissaskids@hotmail.com)
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Subject:Universal Preschool
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Here in VT home child care providers are having the fight of a lifetime. Does anyone else see how U-Pre-K can be harmful or am I the only one who believes that young children belong in a loving "home" environment? They want to put babies in school! I had a hard enough time putting my 5 year old in kindergarten. It seems to me that we are squeezing every ounce of childhood out of our children. They are expected to know their letters before entering kindergarten! What happened to just being children. In VT they are working on curriculum and standards for birth - 3 yrs. I just don't get it!!!!
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Date: 10/3/2006 5:08:00 PM
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Author:
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Subject:I agree. Universal preschool is costly, ...
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I agree. Universal preschool is costly, and significant benefits don't last (unless the kid is need of early intervention). In fact, if the kid gets a junky teacher, the harmful effects are lasting. Did you know most babies in day cares are receiving minimal to harmful care? Money would be put to better use offering mommy&me; parenting style classes. Mom (dads) can learn better parenting skills, do we remember parents ARE a child's first teacher?
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Date: 10/17/2006 7:42:00 AM
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Author:
Rudy
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Subject:Universal PRE K
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I don't agree that babies are receiving harmful care in most centers. THe ideal situation is for EVERY mother to stay at home with their children. That ISN"T a reality. Parents HAVE to work and they need some place to take their chldren. Let's work together to get these centers and program accountable so the care is hogh quality instead of slamming the whole Idea.
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Date: 10/17/2006 10:30:00 AM
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Author:
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Subject:alot of child care is junk
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sorry Rudy, I am citing a federal study on infant child care quality. Yeh, some parents have to work. Instead of lying to themselves about the 'quality' care they are receiving, why aren't these parents screaming at the center owners for better services for their child. Lawmakers need to stay out. Child care is just like any other service industry. However, in other service companies (like McDonald's, cleaning maids, window washers, etc.) if you get junk for your money you complain to management or stop using that service provider. Parents in day cares just sit back and say all is OK. It is up to the consumers who use the service to voice a complaint to get change. You won't see any change in child care because the coorporate-owned centers are too busy looking at their profit margins. And, as soon as one child leaves the program, another child will soon fill that slot. Just a small cost to them of doing business. I worked (one day) at a center that looked alright. 'Behind the scenes' I soon found out otherwise. Preschool room had only one bottle of glue, and one box of 12 crayons. 36 wood blocks. (played only during 'carpet time' with 6 kids there!). There was not enough materials for the kids to explore. The goal was to always keep the room neat just in case a parent dropped by to visit. This center had a waiting list of 6 months! And high parent marks! And for my class now, I am in a dream program with alot of materials and access to resources my students need to thrive.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/welfare/centers.htm
http://www.zerotothree.org/baberisk.html
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Date: 10/18/2006 7:53:00 AM
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Author:
Anissa
(anissaskids@hotmail.com)
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Subject:childcare
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I don't understand how we went from having our children home with a parent (is the best thing) to being in an institutional setting starting at the age of 3 or earlier. In Vermont the centers that I have been in are pretty much schools and infants are put into these programs. How are children going to learn what it's like to be in a home and family when they are in a cold concrete building, divided into age groups, and spend most of their waking hours in that environment? We are going to be starting a campaign in our State that promotes home child care. Getting back to the basics of home and family!!! Maybe we should start a nationwide campaign!
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Date: 10/18/2006 10:32:00 AM
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Author:
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Subject:yes I do see this trend as having a nega...
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yes I do see this trend as having a negative impact on families. I started back in the late 80's. I'm actually getting kids I had bringing their kids to my class! Sadly, I see many of these parents lacking parenting skills. Those things that grandma taught us back in the day seem lost. Grandma is now busy (and 50 yrs old) working. Mom is working. She was a day care kid too. Parents jsut seem to not have a clue how a family is to be without dumping the kids off at daycare. I have some mom (especially the teen moms) cry at the fact that they have to put their baby in daycare. When I discuss with them that they can stay-at-home, some moms replied 'you can do that?' 'aret you supposed to go to work right after the baby is born?' they know no different. a sad day in the fabric of life.
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Date: 10/31/2006 8:17:00 AM
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Author:
Rudy
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Subject:Universal pre k will not be mandatory i...
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Universal pre k will not be mandatory it will be voluntary. You don't ahve to put your child in . It is just available if needed. They will also have classes with highly qualified certified teachers.
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Date: 11/29/2006 5:11:00 PM
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Author:
bobbi
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Subject:most infant/tod care is JUNK
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here is a link to the study. unfortunately, parents are desparate for birth-3 care so they (?)accept(?) the junk. You reason that parents NEED to take their child to a day care situation. However, the same reason can be applied to our eating. Would you go to lunch every day at a restaurant that treated you bad? You need to eat. This is only what you can afford. Would you search for better?or take what is available? or complain? Until parents voice out to the businesses that take their money nothing will be done. Government can sound off, but change only comes from the ground floor. There are enough regulations. Has this changed alot? no. Parents, it is up to you. I just visited a center for observation, and Rudy, there is no way but parent complaints that can change this situation. The preschool 3's class is 8 foot wide, by 20 feet long. One wall is all cabinets, and there is a bench-like counter at kid height along half of the other wall (instead of tables). Doors are at each short wall end. And the room, has a wait list for the evening care. tunnel vision!
http://www.nccic.org/pubs/qcare-it/demand.html
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Date: 11/30/2006 6:10:00 AM
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Author:
Rudy
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Subject:need for preschool
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I totally agree that parents are the only ones that will change it. I would hope that if a parent has to work they will search for the best pl;ace to take their child. No I don't think they should settle for what is there but they also have to work. they hopefully will research these options they have to find the best place. we all need to let the parents know to voice their opinions.
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Date: 10/4/2006 11:34:00 AM
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Author:
Linda Arocho
(t0good@webtv.net)
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Subject:push
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Ah, the push to be the best. God forbid America slows down and learns to enjoy things.
I can't imagine anything for children birth to 3 years. It's pathetic.
I tell all the families I have - my goal is that every child in my care to have a love of learning and reading. Those are the skills that will get them where they need to go.
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Date: 10/6/2006 3:06:00 PM
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Author:
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Subject:say no to universal pre-K
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universal pre-k is just another dumping ground for families looking to lower their day care bill. Taxpayers subsidize working parents enough. I'm so disgusted to pay taxes while I stay at home with my kids, yet another mom gets a tax break for day care. she's getting more income than me, and now a tax break too. the system is so screwed up. The problem with American kids being 'behind' the other countries is simple. The kids lack respect for their teachers, and they have no sense of working together to make our community (school) a better place. Its all 'when I want to' and 'if I want to' attitudes. Parents are too tired, (or too lenient) to teach their kids respect. The parents make excuses for their child. "Well, he knows what he likes and doesn't like, so...." instead of "Joey, I know you don't like to write, but this is school and you will...." And these kids many have been in school since they were babys or preschoolers. So, maybe the attitude problem started in preschool. Too much acedemic expectations before they were socially and emotionally ready to handle the acedemics, and the little ones just rebelled. *just a thought*
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Date: 10/31/2006 7:00:00 PM
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Author:
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Subject:actually, I have worked at a teen center...
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actually, I have worked at a teen center and some of the moms do a pretty good job given their age. What I do see is an overall decline in parenting skills. Age is not a factor. it's just that the parent of today really doesn't have a clue as what to do with little Johnny at home. They themselves were in childcare, and days were filled with structured activity. they themselved never learned how to keep themselves entertained (without media or someone telling them what to play/or do). And as for teen parent centers, guess what. They are all but closed down in our area in the US. Costs too much, send the babies off the a day care to save money. And mom needs to be in class (to pass those graduation tests). The schools do nothing to provide teen parent education, they said it is an 'extra' that can no longer be afforded. There job is to provide a basic education. Hmm, in a local school in our area, a THIRD of high school girls retuned to school pregnant or a kid in tow. Another generation learning to pop out a baby, plop them in day care, and go on your way. No accountability. The day care will take care of your kid till 6 pm. and if ya really don't want to bother with a fussy baby, go to work after school and then your child can be in care up to 16 hours a day. It's happening and it's not right. You say 'what if mom has no choice', well if the options were not there, would she make better choices before hand ?????? On a bright note, we have a charter school that focuses on teen parents (mom and dad). and housed in a local church. The church helps with childcare, parents can keep quiet children with them in class, and the teen parents are getting positive role models along with actually passing and graduating. At a very little cost. So, why can't the public schools be this supportive???
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Date: 10/31/2006 8:14:00 AM
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Author:
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Subject:infant care.
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Then tell me what are moms that have to work suppose to do?
Why are we not helping to invest in parenting classes that teach these skills. In my program this is part . We offer parenting classes.
I work with at risk 3- 5 yr old children. Many and most of our children come from teen paret fa,ilies we are talking 13 , 14 and 15 wehn they had their babies. This is not the fault of being in day care or not. It is the lack of parenting skills. How can a 13yr old be expected to be a parent? We need to implement education and parenting skills to help slow this problem down. It would be great if every mom could stay at home with their child and it is the best things but it isn't always a reality and it isn;t the majority. we service 240 children in my city with a huge waiting list. These at risk program are all over the country. We do need them or we will have to build new jails for the ones that don't get any educations and information or just care.
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