ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

Daycare Trust have recently produced a briefing paper called Childcare and the recession which looks at a range of policy issues on early childhood education and care.

To find out more visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk

Yes! In this daunting economy many people are suffering - so let's say we are not alone. The good thing I have observed that now as mothers [and fathers too] are working less hours so they spend more time with their children. As Oprah said in her show this morning, we are the best nation inthe world and something good will come out of it -something that people will learn from us.20 years in my day care center I have seen very often that parents are so busy that they spend less time with their kids and and in spite of the complain they would buy the toys and stuff that kids do not need in the first place. But Not any moor!!They have started to take time to discipline their little angles.
Geeta Bhatt, Director, Grand Child Care Center.

ExchangeEveryDay may want to ask NARA, the National Association for Regulatory Administration, to respond to comments about abolishing regulations for family child care and all forms of child care. The reasons for regulations are because some people don’t know or care about child development, safety, health and learning – they are earning money and more children equal more money. Are the newcomers caring for children in their homes offering care on a voluntary basis?

Many early educators can share stories and research about poor to mediocre child care. Unregulated homes with too many children and one caregiver are often the ones who appear in news articles when a child gets sick, is injured, or dies. The community must be involved in the rearing of children – it always has been in varying ways and probably always will, as with laws pertaining to child abuse, orphans and abandoned children, health and immunization, inheritance, public and private education, and care giving. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, nurses, electricians, barbers and hair stylists, manicurists and others are regulated by the community. Above all, vulnerable children must be protected. No law is perfect, but neither is any caregiver.

Let me start out by saying that I do not believe the government should regulate, in any way, child care. Having said that, I understand the hardship that the rules and regulations place on a home daycare, but possibly the problem is the rules and regulations, and not the home that provides "baby sitting", as was noted by the day care provider above.

I respect any woman (person) who undertakes the massive responsibility of helping raise another families child by providing child care, especially those who open their homes to these families. This may be the most honorable profession of all, and the government needs step back and remove itself from the job of taking care of and raising children. Child care needs to be left to the the experts; moms who love children and are willing to open their hearts and minds to another woman's family. You cannot regualte that which is in a womans heart, and you surely should not tax it.

I agree.. I have a busy since I opened in 1994. Went from Home Day (12) to a center (26) always full, and waiting. I have had to except "drop off", allow parents to "switch" their days, no set days. extended hours w/ little extra costs. It's too much! I have lost customers to "cheaper" daycare, parents not wanting to follow policies "potty training", and mostly family/friends getting laid off, and them watching their child for cheaper. What can we do about it? Because we are getting "attacked" by the State Regulations, and all the "extra" fees, for inspections/renewals/Insurance costs, while they just "babysite" and steal all the costumers? Any suggestions (and for the centers that are reducing their fees so low, there is no way they could stay in business?)