The State of Early Childcare, Tours and Reflections
š¤·āāļø ESTIMATED READING TIME: EIGHTY THREE MINUTES
Disclaimer:
Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isnāt to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. Iām not here to act as a definitive firsthand sourceāreaders should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). Iām not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!Topics Covered: Mothering, Work-Life Balance, Daily Grounding, Small Business, Hybrid Models
Itās been a slow for āeventsā this season in Seattle. Not as many events out in the open as usual. I think itās cause tax season was so recent, everyone wants a breather. On top of that, things are just really unpredictable lately!! I donāt know if as many people are taking risks and planning get-togethers, or just giving up before trying. Something in the air, or in the industries, but my daughterās daycare has lost over 10 teachers in the past few weeks. This is causing them to frequently overcrowd classrooms and turn a blind eye, so Iāve stepped in. Theyāve had about 20 teachers leave over the past year. They keep hiring new ones and these new teachers keep leaving. It is so hard to watch and no longer ignore. Iām looking at my options and talking to her daycare directly. Part of it feels like āthis is acceptableā this days, but Iām like, who will finally step up?? Me??? Itās like that reality tv show where the couple is given a budget to redesign their homesā¦ then they decide to STAY in the home in the end, or SELL it for a new home. Thatās where Iām at, Iām home shopping for safety. More below.
Why Attend: My work/career is a bit fluid these days. Iām your classic āmillenial work from home renissance womanā. Iām working on one tv show, a podcast bedtime books series, this website (attending events, writing blogs, creating social media), and mothering. And life stuff. Like running a business. Soā¦ I need time to myself, but how much? Where? When? Why? How? Actuallyā¦ thatās EXTREMELY flexible in my case. There are also many amazing resources around the city to provide childcare and education at the same time. Lastly, my personal company could turn into a childcare provider, I learned at one of these tours. So I want to consider that as well. This blog will be a place to reflect options and my thought process for how to raise a child while running a content creation company.
Ratings: Venue (4.5/5), Food (3/5), Speaker Content (4/5), Networking (3/5), Likeliness to Return (5/5)
PHOTO COLLAGE + Commentary:
skipping for privacy/safety :). Ai & I made this instead.
Notes from the Event:
The purpose of this blog will really be for myself (and moms who want to hear my thought process on having a child in daycare). Iām not sure what Iāll conclude - I have an idea at the moment, but Iām not sure what the conclusion will be. I will reflect on a few options, keeping it all vague, but trying to weigh out priorities.
My thoughts on any of this may change by the week or month, it can all change as conditions change. But probably the core values and roots and reasons will stay strong, regardless of what decisions I make in the end.
I will cover the different styles of childcare and the pros and cons Iāve experienced in each. Also, thinking through this specific time in my life, how each would be useful, could apply, or would actually weigh down this life Iām trying to live (myself and my daughters). If Iām truly thriving, itās by helping her have an amazing day - and I can do the same. And truly amazing. I love to live a full life with lots: exercise (lots of walking), healthy foods, early bedtime, proud of my work, remembered to take care of myselfā¦ you know, its not that much, but it all takes work. And a lot of these can be controlled when you make your plans very intentional.
ALSO LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR. NOTHING - I MEAN NOTHING IN THE USA IS COMPARING TO WHAT I SAW OVERSEAS. THE CHILDCARE AND SCHOOLS ARE SO MUCH BETTER. MORE SKILLS TAUGHT, MORE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOMS, MORE ACADEMIC FOCUS, MORE TIME OUTSIDE, MORE STRUCTURE, CLEANER. idk. I just saw and worked in some amazing school overseas. Many were free public schools. (of course some of it sucked, too).
Even the best-of-the-best here donāt match it. Itās very hard to find quality childcare these days. Iām constantly settling for less than I know we can pull off. I want to change this. A dream version of me will Icahn activist investor many of the childcare super-chains and restore them.
FULLTIME DAYCARE (12hrs open):
PROS:
Obviously tons of flexibility
Serve meals for you (so you donāt have to prepare/pack).
Easy to work full-time as a parent.
CONS:
Easy for teachers to burn out if they are overworked.
Sometimes the meals are super low quality or disgusting.
Rare for teachers to have āoffice hoursā.
NEUTRAL:
Whether ipads/screens are allowed or not is a big factor. I prefer those without screens.
Cleanliness can vary, toy quality can vary, outdoor play area quality can vary, etc.
Level of academic can really vary.
LOWER KEY DAYCARE (8-10hrs open):
PROS:
You can still work plenty, but usually you only have a one-hour window for dropoff.
Teachers are often less overworked.
Typically very intentional structure.
Likely you are sent home with things to show parents pretty often. Because at places like this, often staff has scheduled āoffice hoursā to do random work like this.
CONS:
Less flexibility for drop-off/schedule in general.
NEUTRAL:
Often these have a little bit more āluxuryā feel to them. Maybe montessori or reggio inspired.
INDIE PRESCHOOL (4hrs or less, intentionally):
PROS:
Lots of unique opportunities (nature schools, traveling activities, outdoors)
Small groups possible.
Personalized lessons
Easy to make friends, since itās more based around āinterestsā.
CONS:
Often limited in resources (because of time restraints or general limitations).
Lots of work to get there, then youāre not there too long. The commute may not be worth the experience.
You canāt go out and work for a full day.
Sometimes they donāt have a permanent location. So you have to travel to wherever theyāre using for the week. It can be hard to keep track logistically.
NEUTRAL:
Often very heartfelt and taught/led by passionate teachers.
Often very flexible schedules and activities.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLASSES (~1hr):
PROS
Exactly what youād like to learn.
Can work with your schedule.
CONS
Pricey-per-hour
Strict schedules w/o flexibility.
Sometimes in weird locations.
DIY (self-leading programs):
PROS
Iām certified to teach classes & could include my daughter!
You can make money and teach exactly what youād like to teach.
CONS
Lots of responsibility and liability
Youāre not having your child taken care of during this time
OVERALL:
Okay, to be honest. This blog turned out about 5% as āgoodā as I thought it would. I donāt want to share my specific struggle aloud cause I like some pieces of privacy, but the jist comes down to ābeing your version of a ādreamā selfless momā versus āpicking something that would be awesome for you, but not as amazing for your daughter compared to every option out there. But still not bad, too.ā
You see, it sounds black and white. It sounds like if you pick the more ākid-epicā option, thatās the best choice for the kid. But who is taking care of that kid? Transporting them? Feeding them? Guiding them through lifeā¦ if that person is worn out and not fulfilledā¦ they will not be able to lead with grace.
So, through some reflection (and honest talk with Ai) Iām realizing that I need to make my ādream version of myselfā integrate with the more realistic one.
Again, this is sounding so vagueā¦ but I think itās almost like āhaving a scheduleā or routine.
Lately, Iāve added a number of healthy activities and rules into my daily routine which I consider to be rules, evenā¦ I want to add more:
More time outside every day that I have no event to go to. Spend 1-4 hours in the sun + grounding.
No more social phone calls indoors
Tea with a strainer (no more tea bagsā¦ theyāre sprayed with chemicals and microplastic plastic!!!)
Morning Breakfast Picnics.
Mommy/daughter exercise daily (yoga or weights).
I want to add ādaily playgroundā to our listā¦ while still fitting everything in, in time!!! Hm. Itās hard to do it all!!!!!!! :) But, if you can find a way, youāll be so proud of yourself - and you can always adjust.
Soā¦ I need to find a way and time to add daily playgrounds to our list to help her get more energy out and put my mind at peace- (while also fitting in everything else!!!) But - gotta!!
Itād make everyone happy and there are a decent number around us to choose from. Just gotta make it happen. You know?
In addition, I want to start classes of my own. For KT. So perhaps I can get the best of both worlds and schedule pre-dinner classes for kids at parks locally, including an academic factor.
Then, Iām making money for myself, entertaining my daughter, weāre outdoorsā¦ hmm. Maybe thereās something to it. :)
Until next time, I wish you the motivation and success to search for opportunities around your area. Search and explore: Who is out there giving talks? There are new things happening all of the time.
Find relatable or interesting topics you like and check them out! Maybe even something hosted at a cool venue, if thereās no other reason to go. Letās see what you can learn and discover not too far from home. š
