Good Morning Cynthia,
Your post hit home deeply. It is a dilemma we're all talking about and it is felt across the country.
It was already happening before the pandemic. It's also happening in the field of K-12 education. The long and intense hours, low wages, and high cost of living (rent is completely out of line with working people) are some major factors. People are leaving the profession to find sustainable wages and less stress.
The funding structure of the field is outdated. We are no longer living in a society where enough numbers of qualified people can volunteer or live on such meager wages. The expectation that child care should be spending time continually trying to raise money or stretch parents beyond their abilities rather than having a healthy, sustainable funding structure has to change.
Child care programs are doing herculean work trying to patchwork measures to limp along. Many measures have been mentioned in the previous posts.
In the longer term, the field has to be elevated in the public's mind so the pressure is on the politicians to respond with more than earnest speeches which somehow never become concrete, actionable, sensible solutions. In the shorter term, some other ideas might be to ask rotary clubs, local business organizations, and local philanthropists for funds; to make presentations to the high school and college students in your area in the spring; or to make a video for your local public television and see if they'll air it. All of that takes a lot of time to build the relationships and create the message. Less time intensive places to start might be trying online babysitting sites or temp agencies as well as meeting with your families and asking them for ideas they might have.
It is extremely challenging to keep the quality high and consistent with these major issues.
We need to make our voices heard. The politicians and general public need to know the stress that we all are feeling, and its effects on children and families. They need to understand it's not just because of the pandemic and therefore can be ignored; but that it's a core concern that will have ripple effects throughout society into the future.
At the same time we're trying to find solutions, it is extremely important for self-care. If we all burn out, there's nothing left for the children. I don't know if you have a local Out of School organization in your area, but they have been so helpful and supportive for me here in Massachusetts. We meet monthly, everyone knows exactly what is happening in my area, and we can talk, vent, and brainstorm together. It really helps you realize you are not alone in this.
I am rooting for you!
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Barbara Brothers
Cambridge MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2021 07:10 AM
From: Cynthia Bohrer
Subject: Staffing
Good morning. I am not sure how many members out there are working in the child care section of the early childhood field, but I am directing this question to all of you. I am in Missouri. I am wondering how many centers are struggling to find staff of any kind, I think that I have given up on qualified. We have posted on several sites, try to have competitive wages, sponsor scholarships to go back to school, full time benefits, etc. Indeed in our area had over 2900 posts for jobs in early childhood. There is no way anyone is seeing our ads. We receive so few applicants, that there is not selection. I am working 60 plus hours a week to cover staffing shortages and my job is suffering. I have to work weekends. It is getting tough for me emotionally and physically. Does anybody have ideas or suggestions? Thank you so much and have a great day!
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Cynthia Bohrer
Director
Kids International Early Childhood Education Cente
Ellisville MO
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