Posted ByDiane Kelley on May 13, 1999 at 01:04:08:
In Reply to: Re: day care teacher qualifications posted byBonnie on May 08, 1999 at 23:20:48:
: I agree with Kim that 2 years of formal training is a good start. There are those day cares that barely provide adequate care. On the other hand, there are programs that boast a learning environment with worksheets, etc. Without some formal training, it is very difficult to resist the pressure for inappropriate academics from parents. There will always be people providing care for children without being licensed or certified. We need to find a way to get these providers engaged in some kind of training, for the children's well-being. I wonder, if 2 years of training was required, whether some providers would opt to provide child care on the sly rather than getting even the basic CPR training?
: : 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)