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Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

  • 1.  Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-26-2020 07:01 PM
    It amazes me that after almost 8 months of dealing with the Covid Crisis, the ECE field and its workforce still are not getting the level of acknowledgement, respect and gratitude that has been shown to other front line and "Essential Worker" employees.  Day after day and night after night, the media runs ads and promos thanking such groups as restaurant employees, grocery store workers, front line safety workers and healthcare workers for the great job they have done keeping their doors open to take care of the needs of the general public and how brave they for putting their lives on the line to take care of the rest of the public.  Politicians have gone on talk shows and espoused the need to save the airline and restaurant industries because of the tremendous losses they and their employees have suffered and how without government intervening those industries will end up with permanent closures.  Why is it that politicians and the media can heap this level of concern on other industries and not show the same level of respect to the one industry that allows the employees of the other industries to actually go to work.  Why is it that they show more concern and thanks for the public school teachers that have continued to get paid while staying at home and making the "ultimate sacrifice" for their students by adapting their teaching methods to a new learning environment?  We have done all of those things and so much more during this crisis, all while putting the well being of ourselves, our families and the children we care for at risk with little or no assistance from the public or the local and federal government.  There have been no major national drives to help us get adequate cleaning supplies or PPE's, there have been no national fundraising campaigns to help childcare providers survive economically as has been done for other industries.  How much worse do things have to get before the public, the politicians and the media players realize the importance of who we are and what we do as an industry?  Now that things are opening back up, somehow we are just suppose to magically be there as we were before and just make things work with new ratios and numbers that financially don't work in the real world.  I'm not even sure a "Thank you for what you do" would be enough at this point.


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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 2.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 07:41 AM

    Tim:
    Thank you for taking the time to detail the reality of the population and the politicians towards childcare. I am sharing my reply to a Facebook post of Claire Cain Miller's May 27 New York Times, "Should the Child Care Industry Get a Bailout?"

    My reply opened with, "Is this a trick question?" Here is the rest of the post:
    The business of childcare is the foundational blueprint essential for other companies and the economy to thrive. The 50 billion is an investment in human capital for current and future gains. A change of perspective, "Should there be an investment of 50 billion to support our nation's current workforce, and the building of it's youngest citizens' early learning?"
    An investment allows money to build and create wealth over time. It ensures present and future financial security. A bailout is financial assistance in hopes of avoiding collapse.
    A 50 billion (some industry experts estimate twice this amount) investment in the childcare industry is essential for an economic recovery.

    We are the elephants in the room that no one wants to recognize. Our elected officials treat us like old broken-in shoes, comfortable and dependable. In their eyes, we will always be there as needed. Thank you for share.







    ------------------------------
    Monica Jackson
    Owner
    Jackson Child Care
    Springfield VA
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  • 3.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 02:02 PM
    Great response Monica.

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 4.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-29-2020 09:23 AM
    Monica:
    What a wonderful response!  Thank you for "speaking" up and reframing the question so clearly.



    Monica wrote

    Thank you for taking the time to detail the reality of the population and the politicians towards childcare. I am sharing my reply to a Facebook post of Claire Cain Miller's May 27 New York Times, "Should the Child Care Industry Get a Bailout?"

    My reply opened with, "Is this a trick question?" Here is the rest of the post:
    The business of childcare is the foundational blueprint essential for other companies and the economy to thrive. The 50 billion is an investment in human capital for current and future gains. A change of perspective, "Should there be an investment of 50 billion to support our nation's current workforce, and the building of it's youngest citizens' early learning?"
    An investment allows money to build and create wealth over time. It ensures present and future financial security. A bailout is financial assistance in hopes of avoiding collapse.
    A 50 billion (some industry experts estimate twice this amount) investment in the childcare industry is essential for an economic recovery.

    We are the elephants in the room that no one wants to recognize. Our elected officials treat us like old broken-in shoes, comfortable and dependable. In their eyes, we will always be there as needed. Thank you for share.


    ------------------------------
    Aren Stone
    she/her/hers
    Child Development Specialist
    The Early Years Project
    Cambridge, MA
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 10:51 AM
    Hi Tim, 
    I completely agree that the child care providers are not getting the recognition and compensation that they deserve. Here in North Carolina, our state has compensated child care providers (teachers, admin, and staff, FCCH operators), with bonuses if they remained open and worked a certain number of hours a week. Centers and FCCH also received a check for the center, not the teachers and staff. It would be nice if child care providers and workers were recognized on national TV along with other essential workers. Child care is essential! The Partnership for Children if Johnston County, North Carolina, has provided child care centers and FCCHs with yard signs that say Heroes Work Here. We have also worked with some local businesses to gather essential items for child care centers and FCCHs to stay open, such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, dish soap, bleach, gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer, and other materials and resources. Federally, child care providers are not getting enough, but on a local level, we are doing the best we can to support and recognize child care providers. What kinds of positive things are happening in your local area to support child care providers, if anything?


    Side note:If you are reading this and are a child care provider/worker who is working though Covid 19, THANK YOU! You are essential! You are valued! You rock!

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    Emily Englehart
    Early Childhood Specialist
    The Partnership for Children of Johnston County
    Selma NC
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  • 6.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 01:13 PM
    Hi Emily,

    So far on a local level in Fort Bend County, Texas the only thing that has been done is that a portal was set up for parents to go to see what day cares are open or closed near them.  There is has been no support provided to find or get PPE's cleaning supplies etc.  Early on we had multiple conversations with our County Commisioners and the Director of the Local Health Department as to what the current and future needs would be.  They promised to help, but nothing ever materalized.  We have made request via facebook to our families and friends in the area and some of them have stepped up by donating some supplies, but it is not nearly enough.  At this point every center is having to fend for themselves although we try to help each other out if we are running out of something and another center has some extras.  Our County Judge is virtually ignoring the childcare providers while he is too busy trying to Woo Elon Musk and Tesla to move their plant to Fort Bend County.  Very frustrating.

    Tim

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    Tim Kaminski
    Director/Owner
    Gingerbread Kids Academy
    Richmond TX
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  • 7.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 01:29 PM
    ​Wow! So sorry you and the child care providers in your county are having to go through this.

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    Emily Englehart
    Early Childhood Specialist
    The Partnership for Children of Johnston County
    Selma NC
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  • 8.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 01:56 PM
    I am blessed to live in a state where the governor and legislators understand and appreciate the importance of Early Care and Education and the dedicated educators and providers who have been impacted by the Covid 19 Pandemic and not only spoken publicly about their gratitude but have also taken action to provide needed funds to those who have remained open to support essential workers but also those who were closed during this time. I believe this level of support is due to a combination of advocacy by organizations such as AEYC & Family Child Care affiliates, Head Start Leadership, and Public PreK spokespersons along with many members who have written to or spoken with their legislators.

    It is important to note that an Early Childhood Teacher was recognized as National Teacher of the Year this year. This only happens because we speak out for ourselves and for our colleagues and tell our stories to the media and legislators. If families of the children in your program are grateful for your services, and I am sure they are, encourage them to let their elected officials know what is happening in your program, both the struggles and the accomplishments. Take some photos of the families coming back with everyone in their masks and send them to the local paper. Some people may need to be reminded that you are a "small business" too and have weathered the hardships of the pandemic just like every other small business.

    A friend recently gave me this advice about contacting local media. He suggested to tell our story in a way that does not "point fingers" and find people or organizations to blame. Rather, to tell about the "real life" experiences of the people involved.  I know I prefer uplifting messages when I check out the media and when there are challenges and hardships, I want to know how others are helping and how I can help. 

    I envision a photograph of a bulletin board of lots of "Thank you for what you do" notes from the families in your program on the front page of the paper or on the evening news. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt frustrations. You inspired me to talk with my students about how they can get the word out in their community about how they continue to support families through this challenging time.

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    Linda Boss
    Instructor
    University of WI - Platteville
    Lewistown PA
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  • 9.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-28-2020 02:36 PM
    I, for one, have seen and heard encouraging media coverage about Early Care and Education and the impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic. The article below shares insightful suggestions for families and child care programs.

    https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/16/health/preschool-childcare-reopen-parenting-coronavirus-wellness/index.html


    ------------------------------
    Linda Boss
    Instructor
    University of WI - Platteville
    Lewistown PA
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  • 10.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 05-29-2020 10:56 AM
    Hi Tim,
    I totally agree with you one hiundred. I am about to have a meeting with my landlord, who happens to think everything is going back to normal. Just because the governor has allowed for business to open back up here in Fl. I have only experienced a great amout of stress because of this pandemic. Caused mostly because of my finances. I wonder when ECE will be noticed and recognized. Most people see us as babysitters and not as early childhood educators. With all the state requirements we should be paid a lot more.

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    Sandra Rodriguez
    Director
    Beautiful MInds Academy LLC
    Orange City FL
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  • 11.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 07-12-2020 01:39 PM
    I agree with everyone. Since all of this covid, we have all put in extra hours, extra work, and extra headaches and add to all of us that are struggling financially. We stayed opened for the families that are essential workers, struggled for supplies and just operating supplies!  We have taken a big loss in tuition payments and what did we get other then the appreciation of the ones that needed us ( which is fine and appreciated) but yes, I agree, where was our recognition or gratitude?  I don't know about you but I have not taken any break in a year and I don't see when I can even just take a day. And if they have remote schooling, I know we will be stuck having to do this with the children on our own computers, as we had to do this at the end of the year. Then when we got home, we had our own children to home school!  I agree you would think the governor would recognize and help us out as we are teaching the future of this world!  We have one of the biggest jobs ever!

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    Diane Lancaster
    Director
    Jump-Start Christian Academy
    Fulshear TX
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  • 12.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 07-08-2020 04:58 PM
    Hey everyone,

    I was doing some research and noticed that there was only 11 minutes of national cable news coverage on ECE during COVID. Most of it was from the Bright Horizons CEO on CNBC. I'm curious to peoples thoughts on this. I felt like we had a real moment in March-May of 2020 to have a real conversation through the national news media on how COVID affects early educators, providers, etc. and it felt like a wasted opportunity. Most of the work feels like it got pushed to local advocates without having a national media strategy in place.

    Just some thoughts.

    Dr. Dan

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    Dr. Daniel Gonzalez
    Dean College
    Brockton MA
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  • 13.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 07-10-2020 06:47 AM
    Here's my two cents...and I've been putting it on every one of my friends's facebook posts about going back to school...zero respect.  They do just truly expect us to always be there bc we have a terrible history of putting ourselves last and taking care of everyone else.

    HELLLOOOOOOO....WELCOME TO CHILD CARE!!! Sorry, but I AM ANGRY! Where is the consideration for my TEACHERS...YES, TEACHERS? Each one is qualified to work in a district, yet they chose to work for cruddy wages and no respect. Which is clearly quite evident now that everyone is up in arms about going "back to school". It's ok to have 20 kids in a classroom in child care, so parents can work, but not in a school building. Explain that one to me. And very, quite possibly, come fall, my TEACHERS are going to be the ones who are going to have to provide the academic support to our kiddos who are "on-line" learning, and essentially be in classrooms in a child care program, not a school building. Maybe we should be the ones to get the property taxes next year.



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    Diana Verbeck
    Executive Director
    Danville Child Development Center
    Danville PA
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  • 14.  RE: Media and Politicians Show No Gratitude Towareds ECE Workers

    Posted 07-14-2020 01:15 AM
    wow you said a mouth full. Thank you for sharing. i agree with you 100%. we have work off budget for 8 months and its not getting better. where is the voice, the recognition for the ones who are allowing the grocery workers, healthcare worker, and restaurant owners to go work. I think childcare should have been at the top of the essential list and first to be recognized. --- but thank you to all my fellow centers and homes you rock!! keep up the good work. your labor is not in vain. God sees and He will reward! 
    shalom!
    Grace Grace to all

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    Brenda Jones
    Director
    salvation station
    Oklahoma City OK
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