this had a funny title which I forgot

I wanted to write about babysitters and nannies. Matt came up with a hysterical title. Now we both forgot it. Damn. But, I can still write about the topic.

A few weeks ago, I turned onto a street in my neighborhood and saw a toddler strapped in her stroller sitting by herself on the sidewalk. I realized it was my friends daughter. I pulled over and waited for her nanny to show up. And waited. And parallel parked. And waited a bit more. It was about 3 minutes total. The front door of the house was open and the nanny had obviously run in for a forgotten item. But man, it would scare me to leave my kids like that.

I have not told my friend yet. I meant to, but she is really a passing aquaintence, and I dont know her style. Maybe she leaves her daughter on the sidewalk too. It is a friendly neighborhood.

I have no real point here but to generally point out the need for quality childcare in America. We pay a lot of money to women who have no real training in childcare, child development, education or any related field. In most cases, these nannies want to be in America and this is a highpaying job that requires no college degree. Strangely, the childcare providers with college degrees work at certified daycares where they make a lot less money.

After college, I interviewed at a reputable daycare and the pay was pittance for working 8am to 6 pm! Turnover at daycares is high and no wonder. However, these young, educated and enthusiastic teachers prefer doing daycare than private nanny because of the reputation of the job. Many people perceive nanny as a demeaning job, not a career. Yet, childcare teacher is a prefectly respectable job. If you took a survey of college seniors and asked them if they would consider being a professional nanny, the results would be a resounding no. However, ask that same group if they would consider a career as a day care center teacher, many would consider it.

They just don't know the true job descriptions:

Job 1: hours 9-5 or 8:30-6 . Take care of less than 3 children. Determine your own schedule. Lunch with friends and their charges (usually paid for by your employer.) Picnic in the park. Take a break while the kids go to art or karate class. some light housekeeping. Make $12-$15 an hour, often with health care benefits. 2-3 weeks paid vacation of your choosing, in addition to vacations when your employers leave town.

Job 2: hours 8-6 or 7-5. Take care of 8-10 children. Follow a strict schedule- work extra hours on lesson plans and prep work. No lunch break, other than eating at a tiny table with your charges eating nast beany weenies and chicken nuggets. Housekeeping including- diaper changing, clean up after meals, preparing the meals, cleaning the toys, washing down tables, floors. 10 days vacation, generally not during holidays. Pay- $7.50-$10/hour. Health care included.

Which job are you taking? Job 1? Yeah, me too!