I took a six week foray into the world of daycare/preschool and I can truly say it was an enlightening experience. As a firm believer in the importance of parents as primary caregivers I made every sacrifice necessary to stay home with my children when they were young. Not every family is as blessed as mine had been--not everyone can stay home for five years. I am so glad to know that there is an army of dedicated, compassionate caregivers undergirding the very fabric of our society. A bit much you say? Not really.
At six weeks of age an infant is transerred from a mother's arms to those of the teacher in the baby room. It's love at first sight--for the teacher! I subbed in the baby room two days and I was hooked! Toddlers and two year olds, 3K to pre-K, these little ones need the nurturing care of committed teachers to wipe noses and kiss bumps and teach the ABC's and, most of all, love them. Add to that the constant cleaning and sanitizing, and at the end of the day you have some very tired people!
Daycare has a bad "rep", and I know that in many cases it's well deserved. Yet my experience showed me the other side, the one that all mothers hope for--love, compassion, and good old soap and water!
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