Family day care can be both challenging and rewarding. Family child care professionals partner with parents in shaping the lives of young children. Providers play an important role in the development process of children with whom they may spend more waking hours than many parents. You may be the one to share in many "firsts" in a child"s life, the first to witness a new tooth or the first step. Chances are you'll be the first to see that big grin when a little one learns to master a drinking straw, peddle the tricycle or catch her first ball.
Parents and guardians have placed their trust in you to say and do the right things and exhibit the kind of attitude to help build self-confidence and influence a child's success.
Providers know the children in their care but do they know the parents or guardians of these children? Who are these caring adults?
These parents are the male and female whose marriage preceded the birth of children; parents in homes where both the mom and dad may work full or part time. There maybe parents who are single because of death, divorce, desertion, separation or childbearing without benefit of marriage. Some parents may be raising children from previous relationships or grandparents raising a second generation of children for various reasons. Then there are parents whose love for children and commitment to family extend beyond blood lines, these are parents who adopt. Some may be guardians who opened their hearts and homes to children on a temporary basis in foster care situations.
Child care professionals must interact with these families that are sometimes physically, emotionally and financially stressed, people who face daily hassles juggling work and family and time and money. They must contend with parents who may have poor copying skills or parents who are angry and frightened.
Child care providers are in business to care for children. While it is important for providers to demonstrate support for families, it is more important for them to maintain and nurture their emotional and physical health.