Daycare is an isolating job. And regardless of how dedicated a provider we all might be we are also human and therefore, crave interaction, support and validation. Doing anything in life alone is always harder. And Lord knows that daycare comes with its very own inherent issues and problems. From child behaviour concerns to the crazy arguments thrown at us by parents we all need an ear or a shoulder once in a while.
It is a fact that well-connected daycare providers are happier providers. Those providers who have a good, solid supportive foundation of daycare colleagues, whether in their neighbourhood or online experience less stress, have better organized daycares and often make more money. Providers who network are also far less likely to abuse or harm the very children they are paid to care for. It's simple - well-connected providers are better caretakers.
Often times I will reach out to another provider either in my city or online that I recognize is having a hard time. I think it important that we ALL reach out to one another and show a little love to those who are struggling. Call up that new provider you see on Kijiji who thinks their worth so little as to only charge half the average area fees. Go knock on the door of that provider having a poop blow out day and hand her a cup of coffee. Send a gift certificate for dinner to the provider you know is struggling to fill her spots and losing much needed income. Just send some love in one form or another.
There is a great forum connected to this blog that offers daycare providers a private, provider-only place to network and share. The member providers are not only knowledgeable but respectful, supportive and understanding. There isn't a problem any provider could encounter that some other member provider hasn't dealt with in the past. Allowing yourself to learn from others that have been there and done that is a valuable resource and preventative tool you can use to see problems and issues before they arise and deal with them effectively.
If you are a new provider or a veteran who does not have a safe, private place to network we invite you to join us. Simply click here or on the red box on the right hand side of this page and register today.
I promise you will love it there! Afterall, we're all in this together.
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
Is there a way you can join if you don't have a daycare website? I am quite low-tech and never had a need for a website but would still like the be able to access the daycare provider connection. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Michelle, drop me an email.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. I belong to a home daycare group called Childcare Providers Unite we meet once a month and we have a forum where we can post each other on a daily basis in between our monthly meetings. I love the ideas you share to reach out to other providers instead of back stabbing or bad mouthing each other just to get that one daycare family. Treat others the way you would want to be treated!!
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