Monday, December 6, 2010

What would you pay?

Last Thursday night was "Ornament Night" at my children's day care center from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Just what is Ornament Night you might be asking yourself? 

Good question.

It was a circus of parents and Pre-K kiddos, teachers and toddlers, icing and infants.  Everyone bustling about making holiday ornaments and happy memories.  Different stations set up around the school to make various ornaments to hang on the tree.  An opportunity for the children to be creative and engage with classmates outside of school hours. 

I am not completely sure who organized this event but I want to say THANK YOU!

The learning center is called Little Dreams.  It is one mile from my house in Dillsburg, PA. When we were thinking of building in the area I told my husband that we first had to find the perfect child care provider before we could even consider a move.

Boy did we ever.

We pulled into the parking lot in July 2009 and managed to secure that last three available spots.  Jackpot.

As I stood back and snapped some photographs last night I thought about the level of dedication it takes for these people to stay late and VOLUNTEER to spend more time with the same children they taught all day???. 


Are these people crazy? 

The answer is yes.  They are crazy about the kids.  I doubt very strongly that they receiving a hefty overtime stipend and even if they are...I guarantee the time investment is far greater than any financial return.  
As the evening drew to a close I wiped gobs of green icing out of my daughter's hair.  Each of my children had created five ornaments (one child had eaten one...) and all left the event smiling. 

How much would you pay to know that your children are cared for and cuddled, re-directed and disciplined when necessary, stimulated and snuggled all day long?  What is it worth to know that your children are engaged by energetic people who LOVE the job?

I know what it is worth to me.

8 comments:

  1. I give a lot of credit to anyone who wants to work with little kids all day. I'm exhausted just doing it with my 3, I can't imagine an entire classroom! Love the pictures!

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  2. great post! it is the MOST draining thing in the world to take care of children and do it WELL! So glad that you found such an amazing place for those special kids of yours!

    I'm waiting for the blog about your weekend so I can tell you how proud and impressed I am again :)

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  3. Well said--I hope the workers have a chance to read this. Equally priceless is receiving praise and recognition for doing a job extraordinarily well and they too often don't get it!

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  4. Hi and Merry Christmas to All! I am Becky Shelly, the Owner of Little Dreams Learning Center, and am so happy to read a Blog page as this. I can speak for my emtire staff and say that they look forward to this event every year. It is something they enjoy doing with both th parents and children. And yes---even after spending the entire day with all of them! haha. We have a terrific staff at Little Dreams as well as terrific parents and children! The parents and children are what makes our job so fun and rewarding! Sometimes it isn't always an easy day with the children, but we feel blessed that the parents trust us with their most prized possessions everyday of the week! Our parents are very involved in the lives of their children which makes our job easier every day. Know that the teachers are happy working at Little Dreams and what they like most is simple acknowledgement from parents how much they are appreciated and how happy their child is. We look forward to our next event which is December 14 where the children and families all gather for a Christmas Play and singing at Monaghan Chruch. The teachers and children have been working very hard practicing for this big event. The next event I have planned for the teachers is aa special night out in Hershey. I can't share what that is because it is still a surprise for them! How fortunate for us that not one parent has complained about us closing the center early on Dec 17th that staff may enjoy an evening out on me! Thanks for the wonderful thoughts and priase about Little Dreams Learning Center. Have a blessed and safe Holiday Season!

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  5. I give a lot of credit to anyone who wants to work with little kids all day. I'm exhausted just doing it with my 3, I can't imagine an entire classroom! Love the pictures!

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  6. great post! it is the MOST draining thing in the world to take care of children and do it WELL! So glad that you found such an amazing place for those special kids of yours! I'm waiting for the blog about your weekend so I can tell you how proud and impressed I am again :)

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  7. Thanks for reading Becky!! and thanks for providing such qualtiy care for my little monkey's day in and day out!!

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