Posted Bykim gillis on May 02, 1999 at 20:56:18:
In Reply to: day care teacher qualifications posted byRobin on May 01, 1999 at 23:31:52:
: I'm doing a research paper on quality child care. I am looking for opinions on teacher qualifications. Do you think child care teachers need at least a 2yr early childhood education degree to be a day care teacher? Here in Ohio, all you need is a high school diploma. Many centers in my area hire woman who love kids to 'teach' in the infant and toddler rooms. No training in early childhood education is needed. Teachers with some experience or education are put into preschool rooms. Once you take first aid, communicable disease and child abuse recogniion trainings, you are then considered 'state certified'. I beleive many parents are misled by this type of labeling, we need a national minimum education standard for the day care teacher. The question is what should the minimum be? A 2yr degree? No degree? On-the-job training (your kids would be used as gueini pigs by the new teacher)
Robin, although there are tons of wonderful, caring people who would care for children very well quite naturally, it is sad to hear that in your state they do not require specific training. Any other profession (and child care IS a profession, contrary to what some people think...in my University, the other programs referred to us as the Crayon Kids!) requires years of training, mentoring, and learning. Children are our most precious resource, and to leave their care and development to child care that is not standardized and assured consistent HIGH QUALITY is a statement from the state that we need to "make do" with their care, and hope they "get by". Knowing the information we do now about brain development in young children, it is CRUCIAL to have well trained care givers. It is up to all child care professionals to be advocates for this!! (See the web site I listed in INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT below...there is a wonderful article on the need for top quality, consistent child care.