I am a preschool teacher. And I am a great preschool teacher. Not bragging, really. I just love my job- I enjoy a four year old’s wonder and curiosity and do everything I can to nurture it and watch it grow.
But that’s not really the subject of this diary. You see, as a preschool teacher working in a Child Care center, I am aware of every regulation required by our state. I know the rules and strive to follow them.
When I and everyone of my co-workers, and every child care provider out there, hears about an incident of child abuse committed at a day care center, we become livid. Makes us hug our little charges tighter. We review once again every safety precaution. We affirm that those horrible creatures who harm little kids- babies- in their care are the scum of the earth. And we are very vocal about it.
A few years ago, a child choked to death because he grabbed a carrot stick from a providers hand bag. “What was the handbag doing within a child’s reach?” was my first response. My director took it one step further. All handbags and purses were banned from the center. “Lock them in your car or leave them in the office.” No chances what so ever will any child have access to adult’s belongings.
When I hear about abuse or neglect cases, like the one where center workers formed a ‘fight club”, I was so heartbroken that these people were allowed near kids. When I read about serious cases of harming a child, I could cry, and I want that person tarred and feathered.
Not once- not ever- will you hear a child care provider say, “Well, the child should not have touched the handbag- he should have known better” Or “You have no idea what it’s like with screaming kids all day long.” You will never hear a child care provider defend someone who tortures little kids.
I have no problem with the strict requirements my state puts in place to work in the child care industry. Serious background checks, mandatory training, continuing education, CPR and first aid training- all are necessary to provide the safest environment for our precious little ones.
So why? Why? Why? Why? aren’t good police officers across this country lashing out against the few who are committing these heinous acts of murder??? Why aren’t they coming out and saying, “This is NOT what being a police officer is all about.”? Why are they banding together and doing everything they can to justify the death penalty for minor infractions?
I can’t stand it anymore. Something must be done.