Canada A Voice for Children

I think this says it all. More and more there are studies done coast to coast that reveal how the job of early childhood is losing the educated because it is a job with low pay. Most people can't afford to teach very young children.

SHAWN MERRITHEW
The Daily Gleaner

To work in child care, you need to have patience, and, most importantly, you need to have a love for children.

Jillian Boyd is one of those loving caregivers. She is the owner/operator of Jilly Beans Childcare on Hanwell Road and a child-care worker.

"You just have to love children to do it. If you're in for the money, it's not there."

It was her love of children that lead to her career choice. Boyd said she always has enjoyed working with children over the years and has worked on various summer programs in different parks in the past.Her interest in working with children led her to take the child-care program offered by the New Brunswick Community College system.

"I knew a week after I started the course, this was what I was definitely looking for."Boyd has been working as a child-care worker for more than seven years now. She began working out of the basement of her house in Southwood Park. After one year, she said her centre was full of children."I took a chance and built this building out here (at 37 Michael Ave.) and expanded because I knew there was a need for it."

She said there was only one day care located on the Hanwell Road and knew the area was quickly growing. So Boyd took the plunge to expand her day care, and it has paid off over the years. B ut there's more to being a child-care worker than just watching the children.

Although watching out and being responsible for the children in her care are the most important duties Boyd has to attend to, she also has toprepare meals for the children."Our menus have to follow the Canada Food Guide," she said.

Another is planning activities for the children. These activities are educational and help children develop the early skills necessary before going off to school, she said.

The main thing about the job that Boyd enjoys is working with the children. "The first five years of a child's life are the most important," she said. "So to be able to be a part of the children's life at that period is rewarding and wonderful. It's great just to see the children develop."

Another is that she is able to enrich the children's lives through the activities and environment and help prepare them for the next stage of their lives."You are able to provide different opportunities that they may never have had the chance to experience. And you see them grow and learn - you're making a difference." One downside is as you establish a relationship with the children, it becomes hard to see them leave."

But, however, we have new children that enrol and new relationships," she added. Money also is a downside. Since child care doesn't offer huge salaries, it's hard to find qualified staff."When you do find them, it's hard to keep them because it's not a very well-paying job."But a love for children and patience is not enough to become a child-care worker.

One will need to complete a one-year early child-care course offered through the community college system, said Diane Lutes, program consultant with the provincial Department of Family and Community Services.

Lutes said one must have first aid and infant CPR training and must be at least 19 years or older." You can work between the ages of 16 and 19, but you can not be directly responsible for the children." T he demand for child-care workers is increasing in the province, said Lutes."

There is more of a push, at both the national and provincial levels, towards this profession to have some level of qualification. Recruiting, in terms of getting trained staff, is just beginning to (in New Brunswick) become demanding."

Boyd said she has been fortunate to work in a field she enjoys so much."I guess these days that is a bonus to find something you really enjoy working at."At the end of the day, she said, she receives self-gratification by knowing she has been able to help make a difference in a child's life during his or hers early years.And as an owner, she feels happy about being able to provide employment to other early child educators "so they have the same opportunities to enrich children's lives."