- New insights and information from conversations
What I have learned this week from my conversations with Erissa and Marlene is that they feel that there is a high need for more high-quality early childhood education programs in their communities, especially for infant and toddlers. Both stated that there is a lack of programs for preschool children, but there are fewer for infant and toddlers.
Erissa (Bahamas) said that in her community, there are only about 3 preschool programs and that most of the infant and toddlers are being cared for at home by family members, friends, and/or neighbors.
Marlene (Guatemala) runs a home day care and she stated that she is serving more infant and toddlers than preschool children because there are more programs for preschool children and that many families qualify for financial assistance, but there are not that many for infant and toddlers.
- Additional information about issues of equity and excellence from my international sources
Erissa shared that she recently received her teaching certification, but that it is not mandatory for them to be certified upon hire. They can continue their education as they work and that the assistant teachers are not required to have a certain amount of classes to be able to work with children. They just need to be 18 years and older to be able to work in the classroom. She feels that the staff should be required to continue learning so they can provide the adequate care that children need.
Marlene said that she is certified, but that many other people that care for children in their home are not and that they are not even being monitored or held accountable for the type of environment and services that they are providing. She also said that many care- takers do what they do just to help the working families that need the care in order to be able to go to work and provide for their families. She feels that there should be some type of monitoring system that would help programs follow guidelines, but she also knows that many home day cares are not even licensed to operate as day cares and the staff do not have any early childhood knowledge or experience. 
What the we early childhood educators are experiencing here in the U.S, other educators are also experiencing all over the world. It is very important for us to continue learning so we can continue providing the necessary experiences that will help shape our little ones into successful, happy, and healthy adults that our society needs.
Hey Reyna, awesome work on your blog! I really do like your quotes, very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteBea
Thank you Bea!
DeleteI try to always keep encouraging myself and my fellow EC educators. We are doing great things for the children and families that we work with and for our field even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes. Glad you enjoyed reading them.
Reyna
Hi Reyna,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post, I have not contact with anyone at this time, but after Listening to Ms. Chehab’s pod cast, I learned how important it is to support the families and adults who are in direct contact with children on a regular basis. In early childhood education, we sometimes get tunnel-visioned on the academics and development of the child, easily forgetting to support the adults within that child’s life. Ms. Chehab taught me that if these adults don’t have support, then they can’t truly guide those children. Without this support for young children, optimal success will not be achieved. Therefore, as I continue throughout my educational journey, I now have the heightened awareness that I need to support not only children, but their families as well.
https://littlelaughter.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/getting-to-know-your-international-contacts-part-2
Hi Sherman,
DeleteIt is so true and very important for adults to have tools that they need so they can continue working with their children. As an educator, you can only do so much for the children, but it eventually falls on the parents, especially if the children only attend part day programs. They need to continue engaging in age developmental activities outside the center if they are to grow and develop to their full potential. Thank you for sharing what you learned this week. It is a reminder for all of us.
Reyna
Reyna, it is very alarming knowing there are not monitoring systems in place in some countries that provide services for children. It is understandable that parents have to work to survive, but I wonder how safe it is for children when places have the potential to get away with "ANYTHING". It is stories like this that make me more appreciative of all the requirements and monitoring systems that are in place in my state.
ReplyDeletePriscilla
Reyna,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post this week. It was very interesting to learn about the two different countries and how the regulations are very different from my center. I could not imagine my children attending a center that has no motoring system or rules established. It doesnt seem too safe. But I hope the children are being taken care of properly and are learning as they are developing in their enviornments. Great post!
Misty Rolland
Reyna, I find the equity issues similar to those over here. It is interesting that they have the same issue with many of the workers that I see. None of the workers in my daycare are certified in early childhood. I have a degree in education, but it's for 4-12 and I have a minor in family and child development. The preschool teacher has a degree in music education. Other than the two of us all the others just have a high school diploma. Two other girls are in school for an associates degree in early childhood and I'm in the masters program, but I feel we aren't always prepared for every situation. Many of the girls look at the job as a babysitting and struggle with connecting play and education. I wonder how we could make it mandatory to go after an education or professional development in order to get educated? I also wonder why they don't have programs for young children? I live in a small farming community and they only have two centers that offer programs under preschool age. The rest are home centers or family members.
ReplyDelete