The Good The Bad and the Hopeful in Child Care

There is a rift in early care and education between well-meaning parents using care and well-meaning teachers providing that care. At the heart of this rift is the fact that each group is being regulated to the bottom of our economic system. At least that's true in the US.

Someone has to care for all those little kids for little or nothing so that people can keep going to work, right? So child care keeps limping along, and parents and teachers find ways to cope with a non-system. Brain science experts say children need continuity and connection during the first few years of their lives.

Who's providing that? High-quality teachers understandably quit when they can no longer cope with the demands of their profession. In 2022, the turnover rate for childcare workers was 65% higher than the typical rate for all occupations.

The high-quality parents move on to elementary school, bringing their talents with them. Sometimes, parents and teachers blame each other for failures.

Where's the hope?

The hope is in unity. There is strength in numbers. We know that 60% of our children are attending mediocre to poor child care. We need to identify and replicate high-quality early childhood experiences until the tables are turned and 90% of all childcare is of high quality.

During the first few years of life, we learn to learn. All other learning is built on that foundation. That is why early education matters so much.

High-quality teachers and parents exist right now. We can focus on them. Transparency and bravery will be necessary. There are solid ways you can help.

We feature professional, concise presentations on topics such as hitting, biting, drop-offs, and dealing with difficult people. A small donation to early childhood rocks non-profit organization will get you immediate access.

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY! She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.