Press
We all know what educators achieve under adverse conditions. But there is still room for improvement.
As a father in the daycare, I have had some experiences that I had to get off my chest. Firstly, there are the sentences that I can no longer hear from the daycare. But I am fair and of course I have also listed the sentences that we parents constantly use to annoy the teachers.
Day in, day out, I take my two small children (3 and 1) to daycare and pick them up one or two days a week. Of course, over time, we develop a bond and trust. We are happy with the work of our children’s caregivers. After changing daycare with our son and before our daughter was born, we are happy.
And yet, wishes remain unfulfilled. Some are certainly rather specific, others are likely to be familiar to many parents. Some will probably remain pipe dreams, while others are actually possible but will not be implemented.
Are you also a mom or dad? Then see if you recognize yourself and your situation here:
1. Breakfast offer
Bread, cereal, fruit and yoghurt: every morning we prepare the breakfast boxes for our children ourselves. The reason: our daycare “only” offers lunch and snacks. This is apparently due to the size and the key: there are not enough children and staff to justify kitchen help, they say. So the cook “only” manages two meals. This is a burden for all parents in the morning rush and with several children.
2. “Excursion” with the children
Admittedly, the garden of our daycare center is large, shady and beautiful, well equipped with play equipment and climbing frames. Nevertheless, if there is a new playground in the park directly opposite, why is it not possible to leave the daycare center grounds once a week so that the children can explore other, beautiful and nearby corners?
3. Care ratio
An annoying topic, I know. Simply because we have a shortage of skilled workers: the childcare ratio determines how many children are looked after by one carer in the daycare center. I was very surprised that (in Berlin) five small children are looked after by one specialist, and for children over three years old, only one educator can look after a whopping 15 children.
We experience the consequences and differences (when arriving or when dealing with conflicts) on a daily basis and these are aimed more at the Berlin Senate and the legislature as a whole.
4. Activities in the facility and their documentation
What does my child do all day when I’m working and they’re being looked after? I don’t know how many millions of parents ask themselves this question. We’re certainly among them. The children play, go outside when the weather is nice, eat, drink and sleep. So far, so good.
But what about painting, crafting or other creative activities away from “Red flags” that we also need to pay attention to? Of course, it’s also a question of the children’s age, of course. At the same time, it’s about the proactivity of the staff – and ultimately the documentation. Not to prove to us parents that something is being done. But as part of the weekly review, which is not only done in our daycare center.
5. Concept of daycare and real life
Many daycare centers have committed themselves to a concept on paper: self-determination and free play, forest daycare and outdoor activities all year round, particularly creative and artistic. Some of this may also be to be attractive to parents and their children, keyword external image. What remains of this in reality is another story.
But honestly? Many parents simply “just” want care and adequate supervision for their children. I think it’s better to have a more limited framework than too much freedom and complete openness.
Do you see it that way too? And can you also Tweets about children in daycare?
#father #urgently #daycare