From Us Vs. Them to Us With Them.

Harsh criticisms, under appreciation, anxiety and COVID19, all had a dramatic effect on the current state of child care.

As the founder of an early childhood school, I have seen firsthand the harsh criticism and negative attitudes directed towards the early childhood education field in recent years. This criticism has only been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many families have been forced to navigate the challenges of remote learning and child care. Unfortunately, this harsh critique has resulted in many early childhood educators leaving the profession.

One of the most concerning aspects of this criticism is the way it cultivates an "us vs. them" mentality between parents and early childhood educators. This kind of attitude does not foster trust and understanding, and it ultimately harms the children we are trying to serve.

The harsh critique of early childhood educators has resulted in many leaving the field, and data shows that the child care industry has lost over 400,000 workers between 2020 and 2021. This loss of experienced and dedicated educators has severe consequences for the children and families they serve, as well as the overall health of the child care industry.

The future of early education and child care lies in developing meaningful and long-lasting relationships between parents and educators. When parents are actively involved in their child's education, research shows that children tend to have better academic outcomes and stronger social-emotional skills.

One effective way to build trust and create positive parent-teacher partnerships is through regular communication and collaboration. This can be as simple as setting up regular parent-teacher conferences or sending out weekly newsletters to keep families informed about what their child is learning in school.

Another important aspect of building trust is involving parents in the decision-making process. This can be done through the formation of parent-teacher committees or by soliciting feedback and input from families on key issues affecting the school.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to remember that we are all working towards the same goal: providing the best possible education and care for our children. By focusing on building trust and fostering positive relationships, we can create a stronger, more effective early childhood education system for all, and retaining quality educators in the field.