Posted on 05/01/2002 7:06:50 AM PDT by ethical
More relatives keeping preschool children
Family members paid to be baby sitters often untrained in child development, study finds
Wednesday, May 1, 2002
By REBECCA COOK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nearly one-third of paid child care workers are relatives who often lack formal training and government oversight, according to a national study being released today that says the child care work force is larger than previously estimated.
About 2.3 million people are paid to care for preschoolers, the study commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services found.
Researchers at the University of Washington and the Center for the Child Care Workforce used a survey of 7,000 households and focused on people who care for children up to age 5.
"This is a very critical development phase. They soak up learning like sponges," said University of Washington Senior Research Fellow Richard Brandon, co-author of the study. "We need people appropriately trained to teach them."
The U.S. Census Bureau has previously estimated the size of the child care work force at 1.7 million. This study is the first to include paid grandparents and other relatives who care for many of the nation's children.
Economist Jared Bernstein, former deputy chief economist at the Department of Labor, said the study provides an important update on child care at a time when more parents are working, and with more work hours.
"Over the past decade, the demand for child care has increased. The study has an urgency now that it didn't have 10 years ago," said Bernstein, who reviewed the study before publication. "Who's minding the kids is crucial."
Child care is one of the fastest-growing occupations, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
Relative caregivers usually aren't licensed by states and often lack formal training in child development. About one-third of day care center teachers have graduated from college, compared with 17 percent of family child care providers, according to the study.
Brandon said the study illuminates the need for more training and support, especially for informal and unlicensed caregivers. A 2001 University of Washington study found that 65 percent of people who care for the children of family, friends and neighbors said they would welcome outside help such as newsletters, home safety kits, specialized training or a child care hot line.
"You want to find the isolated, clueless caregivers and give them help," Brandon said.
Advocates for child care workers said they hope the study will make politicians and the public appreciate the number and importance of child care workers.
"It's a very hidden group of people," said Faith Wohl, president of the New York-based Child Care Action Campaign. "They do have a large impact on our future."
The study says nearly half of workers care for toddlers age 18 months to 3 years, 22 percent care for children aged 3-5 and 29 percent care for infants. That means education and outreach for child care workers should focus on the fertile minds of toddlers, Brandon said.
"If you want kids to learn and succeed at school, waiting until they're 6 is far too late," Brandon said.
© 1998-2002 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Oh my gosh!!!! Grandparents, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers none of them are qualified to take care of children ONLY government sanctioned employees.
"You want to find the isolated, clueless caregivers and give them help," Brandon said.
Isolated? Clueless? Arrrrrgh The government is "clueless" about the personal lives of millions of people and THAT is what's really bothering them. They want to be in the home of every "commrade" particularly commrades with future slave/soldiers for the revolution. This is disgusting stuff.
"It's a very hidden group of people," said Faith Wohl, president of the New York-based Child Care Action Campaign. "They do have a large impact on our future."
Ooooooo, their "hiding" they must be up to something bad. And because they "do have an impact on our future" I suppose that will be the justification for enforcing government supervision and re-education for these caregivers. This is frightening.
The government is saying that extended family is not qualified to watch the family children. That is so absolutely absurd and offensive that words fail me.
If you want kids to learn and succeed at school, waiting until they're 6 is far too late," Brandon said.
Right now, there is a bill that has been introduced in Washington DC that lowers the compulsory attendance age for public school to 3 years old. To 3!!
This stuff is happening all around us but the public isn't paying attention.
We see cases like the peek-a-thong controversary on another thread and I have to wonder why these parents are so surprised and outraged. They have already abdicated responsibility of their children to the state - in some states, a girl can get birth control pills or an abortion through the school with out consent or notification of the parents.
With every outrageous example of abuse of power, I tell myself that this time people will HAVE TO wake up. They haven't yet.
Don't forget--it takes a village!! Sheesh!
Do these childcare workers belong to the NEA by any chance?
Training is the scary word here as it implies more 'cookie cutter' social engineering rather than some individual thinking. Government control over both child and caregiver is what they want. This is just more meddling in the American family and family values, remember those rhetorical words from the Clinton/Gore years?
I would rather an 'untrained' family member care for my children than any by-the-book trained government person practicing the same failed methods of childcare as the public schools demonstrate.
Mr. Brandon has an exalted view of his appropriateness into other people's lives.
OMIGOD, they're doing something without our permission. Gotta shut them down...NOW!!!
Lack formal training in child development?! How in God's name do they think these grandparents became grandparents in the first place? By raising hamsters?
I'd rather have mine learn and succeed at life.
War on Terrorism, War on Grandmas, War on...
So true but isn't that the way of the liberal? Over and over again it is their ego that drives them to violate all constitutional rights in order to make sure things are done right.
See how sneaky the press is? They are pushing an agenda and trying to make everyone think this is already the government position.
Excellent! There is quite a difference isn't there?
More and more each day. Especially if the articles I see on this forum are any indication.
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