The Evolution Of A Daycare Provider

Nothing in life is a given. The same is true of daycare providers. Contrary to the magical and superhero persona that might radiate from our pours as single child park mothers sit open mouthed and starry eyed at our ability to manage five times the number of children we were not born this way. Nope, just like everything and everyone else - we are a work in progress.

Daycare providers are not born they are evolved. I know this from personal experience. There are time when I look back on my early days of providing care and I shake my head and laugh at how utterly stupid and naive I was. I remember the first encounter with a daycare parent like it was yesterday. This was a neighbour of mine who, nearing the end of maternity leave asked me if I might be interested in "babysitting" her daughter. To be honest, the thought of "babysitting" had never occurred to me. I mean, yes, the neighbour down the street seemed to be living the high life caring for her nine daycare kids and getting paid to stay at home. I did have first hand knowledge of the amount of noise that emanated from her back yard and the stench of her garbage day contribution; but otherwise I was totally unassuming and unprepared. Regardless I took on the role of "babysitter" and waited for that first day with anticipation.

I will never forget that child on her first day. She smelled weird and she did things my daughter, the same age would never do. First of all I had to spoon feed baby food to a twelve month old? Geeze, my daughter must have been a girl genius to eat on her own. And why did this child have to put everything in her mouth? Eewwww....did she just put her fingers in her mouth and spread spit all over my coffee table. Oh my, what have I got myself in to? And then the worst happened. She pooped. Oh...my...God. Is there anything worse than changing the baby food poop filled diaper of a stranger child? Nope, I'm convinced that changing your first daycare poop is a character building exercise. It takes a special type of fortitude to take on that challenge.

I remember the early days well. One of my fondest memories is that when I had a full house - five kids all under two and in diapers. My world was a whirlwind of diaper changes, bottles and nap routines. And every once in a while I would get up the courage to go off for walk. Being new I had little equipment. Out we went with my makeshift wagon and a baby carrier. I must have been quite a sight. Five kids in tow, one on my back, hair a fly and spit on my clothes. Yep, I was looking mighty fine in with my five kids being lugged with feats of strength all for a simple spin around the block. Of course, there were the ten stops to pick up errant fuzzy bunny cuddlies and the odd shoe and of course to catch my breath but somehow, by the grace of God, we all managed to find our way home. Those were the days.

I think we all have moments of clarity when we take a simple walk in the neighbourhood and realize the amount of work and time it takes to complete such a simple task. It is these times that cause us to regroup and be inventive. We think of different ways to complete tasks with the least effort and best results. We get smart. We begin to view our job as less about "babysitting" and more about providing care and attention. We find ourselves morphing into experts in child rearing and professional business women. We grow wings and start to fly.

We all started off as mere babysitters hoping to make a little extra spending money while professing our love for children. If only the realities of the world would allow us to live in that special place of naivety. Of course, it doesn't take but a few unfortunate situation and bad dealings with both children and parents for us to realize that we must be the masters of our destinies; that to make the business of daycare work in our favour we must change and evolve with every turn and bump in the road. Good daycare providers do this. They realize that happiness is a dual reality; everyone, provider included, must be happy.

Now days there is not a "babysitter" in sight when you open my front door. Standing there you will find a professional. I still have that half dazed look of exhaustion. My equipment might be fancier and more expensive, my dedicated daycare space cute and cozy but my knowledge base and expectations could not be more different than the day I opened my door for that strange smelling child six years ago. I really think that now I have seen it all. I have been there, done that and more. Little phases me.

There is a certain peace that comes with experience. I no longer worry about what I am going to do when situations arise. My answer now is always the same - I will look out for Judy and Judy alone. I have learned that to rely on clients to make decision in my favour is a risk I am not willing to take. I sleep well at night knowing that my destiny and my happiness are held in the palm of my hand. Everything can change in an instant with a single posted ad on Kijiji or a termination letter typed into Word. I have that power.

Change happens - even to daycare providers. Welcome it. Learn to take your experiences and grow from them. Chalk up every negative dealing as a blessing - a lesson in what not to do next time. Harness the power of evolution. Your happiness depends on it.




For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca