Almost 70% of children under the age of 6 go to some type of formalized child care outside of the home.
As a working mom, both of my sons went to licensed child care centers so that I could work. When I was growing up, that is not what I expected. My mother stayed at home with me and my sister until we both entered kindergarten. I was blessed that she was able to do that, but when I had my first child in 2010, the economy did not look the same. With a mortgage payment, health insurance, and all the normal bills to pay, my husband and I both needed to work. This meant that I needed to find a child care program that I felt safe leaving my sons at while I was away from them during the day.
When I started my search for child care, there were very specific things that I was looking for:
- A safe and clean environment that would prevent my children from getting sick or hurt while I was away from them.
- Loving teachers that would comfort my children and nurture them.
- A chance to be in a social environment that would help my children learn how to get along well with others.
- Teachers that would teach early academic skills (like creating patterns and exploring their environment) that would help my children be ready for kindergarten.
- Consistent care that would allow me to go to work every day and make the income I needed to meet all of my children’s basic needs.
When I started my search for child care, there were very specific things that I was looking for:
- A safe and clean environment that would prevent my children from getting sick or hurt while I was away from them.
- Loving teachers that would comfort my children and nurture them.
- A chance to be in a social environment that would help my children learn how to get along well with others.
- Teachers that would teach early academic skills (like creating patterns and exploring their environment) that would help my children be ready for kindergarten.
- Consistent care that would allow me to go to work every day and make the income I needed to meet all of my children’s basic needs.
When I found a child care program, I received other benefits that I wasn’t anticipating.
- My children became independent earlier than children I knew that stayed at home with a parent or grandparent. Of course, I still wanted my children to need me when they were young, but I was thrilled to see that my three-year-old son was dressing himself independently and eating with a fork instead of his fingers.
- I also didn’t anticipate having an occasional break from the day to day grind of parenting. I loved my time with my sons, but parenting can be overwhelming during the best of circumstances, and having a break during the day made me look forward to being with my children even more once I was off work.
- This time at work also gave me the opportunity to be proud of my career and my accomplishments. I would like to think that my children were able to tell that their mom was happy and content because of that opportunity.
Working in child care can sound daunting – particularly when you think about having 14 children in one classroom instead of just my child – but Kentucky’s child care providers offer this nurturing and education every day to the children in their care. My son’s teachers cared for them, sang songs to them, and enforced the daily living skills that we were introducing at home. They became members of our extended family, and I am so grateful for everything that they did!!
When I found a child care program, I received other benefits that I wasn’t anticipating.
- My children became independent earlier than children I knew that stayed at home with a parent or grandparent. Of course, I still wanted my children to need me when they were young, but I was thrilled to see that my three-year-old son was dressing himself independently and eating with a fork instead of his fingers.
- I also didn’t anticipate having an occasional break from the day to day grind of parenting. I loved my time with my sons, but parenting can be overwhelming during the best of circumstances, and having a break during the day made me look forward to being with my children even more once I was off work.
- This time at work also gave me the opportunity to be proud of my career and my accomplishments. I would like to think that my children were able to tell that their mom was happy and content because of that opportunity.
Working in child care can sound daunting – particularly when you think about having 14 children in one classroom instead of just my child – but Kentucky’s child care providers offer this nurturing and education every day to the children in their care. My son’s teachers cared for them, sang songs to them, and enforced the daily living skills that we were introducing at home. They became members of our extended family, and I am so grateful for everything that they did!!
Each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day, we take time out of our busy schedules to say thank you to the child care providers that have partnered with us to help raise our children. These men and women have dedicated their lives to supporting children and families during the most vulnerable time in a child’s life – and the time when development is occurring the fastest. They are there to do puzzles, kiss boo-boos, teach young children to share, and to calm anxious parents! And they do it each and every day regardless of low wages or the exhaustion of keeping up with small children.
If there is someone in your life that has dedicated time and love to your children in this way, I urge you to reach out and show your appreciation this week!
Child care is an uncertain business. It is expensive for parents, but the tuition collected from families barely covers the salaries and fixed expenses of the program. This is not a problem just in Kentucky, but nationwide.
During this past state legislative session, the Kentucky legislature prioritized child care as one of the top issues for working families in the Commonwealth, and Representative Samara Heavrin filed House Bill 6 to help support Kentucky’s child care programs. This was a massive bill with lots of different programs to help stabilize the child care industry.
Join a webinar with Kentucky Youth Advocates and Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners this Friday, May 8th at 1:00PM ET for more details on the various components of House Bill 6, which has now become state law.
House Bill 6 will make great things happen for child care providers in Kentucky – and those they serve. Be sure to sign up to learn more!
Child care is an uncertain business. It is expensive for parents, but the tuition collected from families barely covers the salaries and fixed expenses of the program. This is not a problem just in Kentucky, but nationwide.
During this past state legislative session, the Kentucky legislature prioritized child care as one of the top issues for working families in the Commonwealth, and Representative Samara Heavrin filed House Bill 6 to help support Kentucky’s child care programs. This was a massive bill with lots of different programs to help stabilize the child care industry.
Join a webinar with Kentucky Youth Advocates and Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners this Friday, May 8th at 1:00PM ET for more details on the various components of House Bill 6, which has now become state law.
House Bill 6 will make great things happen for child care providers in Kentucky – and those they serve. Be sure to sign up to learn more!
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