What's the future for the childcare industry?

[2CheekyMonkeys]

maybe then the term education needs to be redefined. in this age group, to me it is about providiing the stepping stones to learning in a more formal eduaction system such as primary. education in this age group is about building foundations for learning, fostering dispostions, developing pre literacy and numeracy skills, building self confidence, independence, helping children to make decsions and fostering positive attitudes towards themselves and others. all of these things arent happening in a sitting at tables, work sheet, memorising, disciplinarian way.. they happen through communication, interest, working together building on childrens ideas etc.. all of this is education and absolutely happens with educators that are both caring, loving, affectionate and warm. education and warmth can and should go together.

i think the previous post in regards to getting qualified educators into the country is probably pretty true, i hadnt thought of that.

in relation to the corportate child care and the private child care comment. i see what you mean but i just feel that even with private child care ultimately it is run with profits in mind and to someone elses agenda. if child care centres wanted to hire the best qualified and skilled workers and KEEP them, i think that offering a comparative wage would help. (ie.. higher than the cruddy award ) ;-)

btw, i am a parent too and i would much rather my children going to an high quality educational centre.. not merely a centre where they are placed and minded. (baring in mine what i mean when i say education)