A note on the headlines in the media
I’ve been asked by a few friends and relatives about the headlines within the childcare sector going around at the moment. As I’ve mentioned in the past there’s a lot of issues in the sector although not a lot of change. It seems that every few years there’s a new report potential criminal acts taken against children in childcare centres across the country. There’s also discussions about the amount we pay educators and conditions that educators work under. Staffing issues and how the drive for profit impacts the care of a child are hot topics within the media as reports are made about how the quality of care is effected.
Previously on this webpage, I’ve discussed how for-profit centres manipulate the grey areas of the laws and guidelines that govern all centres across the country. Charging parents $150 a day whilst feeding the children meals worth as little as 33 cents. Practicing under the roof ratio where the number of staff doesn’t have to meet the ratio in all areas, so long as there is enough staff in the centre to meet the requirements for the total number of children. Yes - this all cuts costs but that money isn’t passed on to parents and it puts the quality of care, health and safety of the children at risk. Childcare when done right should not be a huge money spinner for anyone however the laws as they are written allow it to be. So what really needs to change here?
As an educator, you know something has happened to raise concerns in the sector when your company carbon copies staff into a parent email about personal devices and hiring policies. Even reputable childcare centres like the one I currently work in, have to reassure parents that they are working by the book. I find that all good intentions aside, someone always slip though the gaps. Whether that be someone who is harmless but is prone to miscommunications, or someone who acts harmless but isn’t. However, when the worst comes to the worst and someone takes advantage of the children that there supposed to be caring for it makes headlines, for all the wrong reasons.
At this point in time, I feel sorry for all male educators who are in the sector for the right reasons as well as any and all impacted families from the current alleged occurrence as well as all previous ones. I want to take this opportunity to say that not all male educators are bad and Ive worked with several who are in it for all the right reasons. I don’t believe that male educators should be banned from the industry or any task there in as they can be good role models. It’s impractical and in most cases, educators regardless of gender are in it for the right reasons. I also believe that CCTV being installed in some childcare chains is not a valid option to prevent such occurrences rather a tool to prove what has happened. Some centres, in light of a resent example, have adopted a two staff in the room at all times policy, which is never entirely practical either however it is a better option in terms of prevention. We’d all rather prevention over cure.
I also want to take this opportunity to mention some resources and and techniques to hopefully prevent your children from being taken advantage of. First things first, ask your child permission to change their nappy, bathe them, etc from birth. It will teach body confidence and possession and even though they don’t understand it as babies, it sets a precedent. As parents and educators, it’s on us to teach consent in an age appropriate way. Setting that precedent is one way of doing that. The message your trying to enforce is that you own your body and have the right to say no at all times to anything and everything. There are a number of books aimed at children 3 years and older on this topic as well. Titles like, My Body My Rules by Nicki Gill and Dasha Riley and No Means No by Jayenne Sanders are great for teaching consent in age appropriate ways. The better there understanding of these topics the better able to enforce these rights on the adults around them. I’ll include links to both below.
Last but not least, activity of the week.
Collage, art helps children to express themselves, better yet it can help develop scissors and fine motor skills.
A sheet of white paper to glue everything on to.
Glue, I find that clear craft glue or PVA works best
Patterned/coloured/magazine paper
Bubble wrap
Allow you child where age appropriate and skilled to do so, to cut up everything but the while paper and glue. Use the glue to stick everything else to the white paper.
Per the last line of this weeks blog, the amazon links for the mentioned books;