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Childcare Chatboard

Why Isn't My Education GOOD Enough?

by Elizabeth

Feb 16, 2011

In Illinois the education requirement to work in daycares, childcares, and preschools is 60 hours (Associate's degree) from an accredited college or university with 6 hours in courses directly related to child care and/or child development (birth to 8 years), 30 hours from an accredited college or university with 6 hours in courses directly related to child care and/or child development (birth to 8 years) or a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential.

With 139 hours (Bachelor's degree) and well over 19 hours in courses directly related to child care and/or child development (birth to 8 years), I far exceed the set state's set requirements to work in the daycare, childcare, preschool sector. You'd think most daycares, childcares, ad preschools would be eager to bring someone aboard who far exceeded the state's set requirements. However, I don't find that to be the case.

Instead, I find that daycares, childcares, and preschools are more apt to want to hire people w...See More

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montmo Elizabeth: How well I understand your frustrations as I live in a neighboring state with very similar "qualifications" for day care as Illinois. I was shocked because I have been in ece since 1985 and had always worked in a very specialized program (certification is needed to teach in these schools). I had gotten my training beyond my BA(which was ...See More

Feb 16, 2011

Elizabeth On 2/16/11, Donna music/TN wrote: > They may assume that you won't stick with it.

Hi Donna music/TN. I can agree with that.

When I went on an interview at KinderCare a few years ago, a director DID express concern over me not being serious enough and how she wanted to hire someone who was going to be committed.

Feb 17, 2011

Elizabeth On 2/16/11, montmo wrote: > Elizabeth: How well I understand your frustrations as I live > in a neighboring state with very similar "qualifications" for > day care as Illinois. I was shocked because I have been in > ece since 1985 and had always worked in a very specialized > program (certification is needed to teach in these schools...See More

Feb 17, 2011

montmo thanks, Elizabeth. I was hoping that my education I already had counted since I am nearing the end of my career. I didn't get into ece until my 30's and I can retire within the next 8-10 years. I don't need to get extra education to do what I am doing and I will not be applying to work at any other program at this point in my career. Even then if I...See Morethanks, Elizabeth. I was hoping that my education I already had counted since I am nearing the end of my career. I didn't get into ece until my 30's and I can retire within the next 8-10 years. I don't need to get extra education to do what I am doing and I will not be applying to work at any other program at this point in my career. Even then if I wanted to work at a preschool that is my specialty, I would have no problem whatsoever getting the job or being paid for my work as a college graduate with over 25 years in the field. I am in high demand. All I want to do is end my career in a place that is ideal for my current situation and allows me to do what I am trained for and have plenty of experience in.

Actually I did get contacted today about a possibility of having my certification being translated into what the state wants. She said it might take awhile but that is the first time anyone during this entire journey of my asking for assistance that is actually making an effort to do the right thing. I still have another year before my 3 years are up. I can get a CDA for free here in our resource center or I can get the associate's or master's or another BA here locally if I don't go the on line route. To me it is the principle of the matter that I am concerned with.

I have never been one to just do whatever just because the rule says so. I guess I like to "buck the system", or in my mind challenge rules and regulations when those rules and regulations do not seem to consider that there can be reasonable exceptions.

I have followed you story as well. I wonder if you are running into age discrimnation? Being in an older generation with a husband who had to go back into interviewing in recent years, I know that age discrimination is alive and well. It is hard to prove it but we saw really obvious cases where that was present not only inmy dh's interviews for jobs not offered, but also in the actual job. I have no idea what age you are, but I know that can be a factor - age. Some places don't want young single gals because "they get married and move away", some don't want young mothers, "their kids are sick all the time" , some don't want the older women "they don't have the patience or energy to work these long hours or with this age of child". Presentation during the interview is very important and to be able to redirect questions without sounding evasive also needs to be done. When small centers are doing the interviews, it is not unusual at all that they ask illegal questions about one's personal life. I don't think they do it on purpose but they sometimes forget that asking such questions are against the law. So, I hope I am giving you some food for thought too.

I am just not one who likes red tape and mismanagement of our government agencies. We are also foster parents and dealing with agencies for Medicaid, social security, fssa, etc. has opened our eyes considerably to the overlap of many things. If the agencies are working under the same roof and share the same state agency, why would someone like me have to be fingerprinted three times within two months when the paperwork is in the file cabinet in the room next door? It's that kind of stuff that irritates me to no end as a taxpayer and I wish for anything others would fight the system when appropriate and stop this wasteful ways of government agencies. So much for my soapbox. Anyway, keep posting and I hope you get a fabulous job that meets your needs real soon! montmo

Feb 17, 2011

Elizabeth On 2/17/11, montmo wrote: > thanks, Elizabeth. I was hoping that my education I already had > counted since I am nearing the end of my career. I didn't get into > ece until my 30's and I can retire within the next 8-10 years. I > don't need to get extra education to do what I am doing and I will > not be applying to work at any other...See MoreOn 2/17/11, montmo wrote: > thanks, Elizabeth. I was hoping that my education I already had > counted since I am nearing the end of my career. I didn't get into > ece until my 30's and I can retire within the next 8-10 years. I > don't need to get extra education to do what I am doing and I will > not be applying to work at any other program at this point in my > career. Even then if I wanted to work at a preschool that is my > specialty, I would have no problem whatsoever getting the job or > being paid for my work as a college graduate with over 25 years in > the field. I am in high demand. All I want to do is end my career > in a place that is ideal for my current situation and allows me to > do what I am trained for and have plenty of experience in.

I understand and I symathize with you at the same time montmo. IMHO, it all seems so bizarre that they'd even make the request to begin with.

> Actually I did get contacted today about a possibility of having my > certification being translated into what the state wants. She said > it might take awhile but that is the first time anyone during this > entire journey of my asking for assistance that is actually making > an effort to do the right thing. I still have another year before > my 3 years are up.

I hope the translation works out for you.

> I have followed you story as well. I wonder if you are running into > age discrimnation? Being in an older generation with a husband who > had to go back into interviewing in recent years, I know that age > discrimination is alive and well. It is hard to prove it but we saw > really obvious cases where that was present not only inmy dh's > interviews for jobs not offered, but also in the actual job. I have > no idea what age you are, but I know that can be a factor - age. > Some places don't want young single gals because "they get married > and move away", some don't want young mothers, "their kids are sick > all the time" , some don't want the older women "they don't have > the patience or energy to work these long hours or with this age of > child".

I'm 33 going on 34. I'll be 34 on May 10th. My mom has brought the age thing up too, but, quite honestly, at 33, I'm still young in my opinion. I don't see how or why age would really be an issue for me.

I'm starting to wonder if it's my work experience or lack thereof. Other than the volunteer teaching I did for religiouys education for 2 years, the subbing for 3 years, and the tutoring for 2 years, I really don't have any solid work experience, especially in the sector I'd like to make my career. I won't lie. Some directors have called me on that and have been quick to point out a lack of experience as far as the daycare, childcare, preschool sector is concerned. Granted, I don't have much experience (2 months @ Celebration w/2s and 1 month @ White Oak w/2s), but I've also had a lot of problems breaking into it at a really hard time economic wise. So one can't really blame me. Not to mention, I can't help it took me so long to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Like you, I'm breaking into this field in my 30s.

> When small centers are doing the interviews, it is not > unusual at all that they ask illegal questions about one's personal > life. I don't think they do it on purpose but they sometimes forget > that asking such questions are against the law. So, I hope I am > giving you some food for thought too.

Don't have to tell me that. I've already been asked a few illegal questions.

In fact, one center director last spring went as far as to question why I was even there interviewing w/her in light of the fact my grandfather had just passed away a few days earlier and I had to be in and out for the interview so that I could attend the wake shortly thereafter. I remember coming home from my interview feeling offended because the lady chose to "make it personal" by bringing my recently deceased grandfather into it like she did. I was there because I desperately needed a job. Yes, my gradfather just died but life goes on and I needed work, income to pay my bills. Talk about THE MOST insensitive directors I've ever interviewed with.

Feb 17, 2011

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