Kids First Voices
Take a Flower to Childcare Day Was a Big Success and An Important First Step
October 28, 2008
By:
Diane Rudash
Lasting Impressions Child Development Center
Clarksburg
T
ake A Flower to Childcare Day was a huge success at Lasting Impressions Child Development Center. Every teacher received at least a dozen flowers, and some even more. Even the Director, Assistant Director and Program Coordinator received flowers.
ake A Flower to Childcare Day was a huge success at Lasting Impressions Child Development Center. Every teacher received at least a dozen flowers, and some even more. Even the Director, Assistant Director and Program Coordinator received flowers.The children came in with their flowers, and they were so proud to carry them and give them to their teachers. As the children handed the flowers to their teachers, they said things like, "Thank you for being my teacher!" or "I brought this for you." or "Mom told me to give this to you!" Not only did children express their appreciation, we heard even more from parents. They thanked us for all of our hard work. They told us things like, "We don't know what we would do without you."
We didn't really do anything special to promote the event other than post the posters throughout the center and remind families the night before not to forget to bring a flower to their teacher. The only regret I had was I should have provided each teacher with a vase to hold their flowers. They got so many that we were sticking them in water pitchers, plastic buckets and anything we could find that was large enough to hold water and that many flowers. Since this was the first time we did it, we didn't know what to expect. Next year, we will probably get even more creative with the idea.
All in all, it was just a fun relaxed day. I think all my teachers enjoyed the day, and I think even the families had fun with it. We had one mom tell us that she wanted to do something different other than to bring flowers. She said she knew everyone would do that. So, the night before, she made chocolate flowers on a stick and wrapped two to a package (one chocolate with a yellow middle and one yellow with a chocolate middle). Then, she wrapped both candy flowers in a clear plastic wrap and gave each teacher one. They were adorable! Another mom not only brought in flowers for the teachers but she also brought in Panera Bread pastries, spreads and coffee for the entire staff. The administrative staff took turns giving teachers breaks to go to the staff lounge and grab a treat.
What did Take a Flower to Childcare Day mean to me? I think it was great and a very fun day. But I believe it needs to go beyond this. I do wish we could heighten awareness more of the important difference these teachers make in the lives of young children and families. These teachers need to be recognized daily. Their contributions and dedication are no different than other educators who are respected and paid at a much higher level.
As childcare providers, we are raising the bar on quality, and we are willing to reach for that goal. But the state needs to help fund these programs. We cannot make it on just tuition revenue itself. A flower for one day out of the year is nice, but childcare providers deserve much more than that. Centers are folding because minimum wage increased and food costs have skyrocketed. Centers are not able to pay their teachers the salaries they deserve with the revenue they bring in, and teachers can't afford to work for that pay with rising gas prices. If centers keep closing, there is going to be a shortage of options for the families that needs a safe and enriching environment for their young children.
Take a Flower to Childcare Day is the first step in raising awareness. I just hope it leads to bigger steps with more powerful people that can show that support and recognition at a much higher level.
Diane Rudash is the Executive Director for the Lasting Impressions Child Development Center in Clarksburg , West Virginia. She grew up in Morgantown and attended West Virginia University (WVU) where she received her Bachelors in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Development. She is married and has two beautiful children. Diane started managing child development centers soon after graduating from WVU. She has managed community non profit centers, client based profit facilities and client based non profit facilities. Diane says the most extraordinary experience in her career was working as a Field Director with a national company, Bright Horizons. She traveled nationwide to crisis centers and filled in as a temporary director. Diane notes that although that experience was rewarding, it is now nice to be back in her home state managing her own center. She knew from a very young age that she would be working with children in some capacity. She absolutely loves what she does and cannot see herself doing anything else.
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