A Day in the Life of Preschool and Early Childhood Development
I began this journey almost five years ago this January… to think my babies that I started with are now “big kids”…
Laughter. Tears. Hugs and boos boos, high five and time outs. Wiping little noses and little hineys, changing diapers and changing lives. There is a well known saying that goes like this “It takes a big heart to shape little minds.” This is the absolute truth. Childcare and early childhood education is not for everyone, teaching is not for everyone. That has shown more true this year, when teachers everywhere showed up and showed out when it came to virtual teaching in a global pandemic. Teachers are SUPERHEROES. Whether you teach K-12, or preschool…you are still a teacher through and through. They may have went virtual and shut down, but our doors stayed open and never closed- who do you think helps care for the babies of essential workers like doctors, nurses, police and fire and emts, pharmacists, lawyers, restaurant workers, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, etc. (thank you first responders) for all your hard work- we got your most precious ones taken care of!
I began this journey FIVE years ago today. I worked in the restaurant world with a dash of marketing (Chick-fil-a) while I was in high school and college, retail and ministry (Family Christian) after graduating college and then in January 2016 I entered into the whimsical wonderland of crayons and fingerprints, ABCs and 123s: early childhood education, childcare. I have learned so many things over the years. I had no education experience officially but years of babysitting and children’s ministry experience and a degree in Youth Ministry- a related field. I started as what we call a “non stand-alone”, a rookie to say the least-someone who is brand new, inexperienced and has to train with another more experienced teacher for at least six months until they can be by themselves. After that I was the toddler teacher, then a year later I became Assistant Director. I have worked at two different childcare centers: one secular psychology based and one Christian based non denominational.
In early childcare (now I don’t say these things to toot my own horn or pin a rose on my nose) but for everyday people to understand the hard work and dedication that go into the career field: Contrary to popular belief we are not “glorified babysitters”, we are educators, teachers and administrators. Yes, we are not your typical K-12, teaching reading, writing, math, science, history, art, etc. But we are nurturing, caring for basic needs of food, bottles, changing diapers, wiping noses, washing hands. We are still teaching even though it may look different: reading books, memory verses, bible stories to act out, letter recognition, sights and sounds, phonics, self help skill, fine motor and gross motor development, sensory science and art activities, memorizing things through music and song, learning to share, talk and use your words rather than hitting, biting or tantrums. Learning to crawl, walk, talk and be kind to others. Writing accident reports for every bump, fall, bruise, cut, scrape or bite. Ice packs, band-aids, tears, stitches, and hugs and everything in between-been there done that. Potty training and all the messes that come with it. Learning ABC’s, 123s, and Jesus loves me. Basic building blocks of life and fundamental things that adults even have to be reminded of. Children are children, don’t expect them to react and act as adults. The most fundamentally developmental early years are spent with us and their parents, grandparents, etc. We are not to replace or tell you how to parent your child or the choices you make in raising your children, but we are here to come along side you to help you and guide you- to celebrate the milestones and be there on the hard days of parenting.
The amount of training and education courses we undergo is quite extensive. Some have a four year degree (Bachelor’s), some have a two year degree (Associate’s), some are working on credentials, some are brand new 18 year old rookies with a big heart and while some are working WHILE in college, some have been doing this 20+ years, 10 or 5 years (longer than some of you have been parents!), alot of our teachers are parents too! First aid, CPR and AED training, Bloodborne Pathogens, Health and Nutrition, Gross Motor and Fine Motor Development, Curriculum, Social and Emotional Development…just to name a FEW of the extensive trainings we undergo. Each year continuing to pursue more to make sure every child is happy, healthy, safe, loved and cared for all while they are learning. Most of us wear many hats: my director and I run both ends of the day open to close quite often. Administrative paperwork, balancing schedules, supervising teachers, lunch breaks, balancing numbers for ratio purposes, policies, DSS and DHEC standards, making sure parents and teachers follow proper protocol, administering medication, cooking, cleaning, lesson plans, time cards, training, stepping up and staying calm in emergencies, projects, tours, answering phones and emails, communication, knowing the needs of every family and getting to know and love every parent, child and teacher. I am also our chapel director, responsible for our Bible story curriculum and fun activities for summer and holidays. It’s all in a days and weeks worth of work. To every parent that has trusted us with your sweet babies throughout the years, thank you. You are family. To those that make the choice to not put your children in childcare and stay home with them-that is perfectly okay too. Just know you got a village with you either way. Just because I’m not yet a mother, doesn’t mean I don’t understand. Little ones have big emotions like grown ups but don’t know how to articulate and process them. They need guidance. Little hearts and little minds needs lots of patience and grace (yes somedays just like most mamas can agree they drive me nuts too). Grown ups need grace too. Spilt milk and potty accidents are not the end of the world, most crayon marks come off walls with a magic eraser (and don’t be afraid to make them clean up their messes if they are big enough how else will they learn), tantrums won’t last forever, glitter is impossible to get rid of, and broken crayons still color. The laughter, tears, silly jokes, holding hands and snuggly big hugs are all worth it.
In grace, Heather H. Carnley (teacher, minister, educator, administrator, and chaos coordinator of littles and bigs)
Hope For Her Heart 