When I dropped #3 off at nursery today she was so excited. She got new slippers yesterday (tiger ones) and she couldn’t wait to show her friends, and the staff her new footwear.
You see, I work a lot. I have a lot of projects on right now, I’m juggling a lot of plates, and if I’m not at college, I’m at work, or I’m training, or I’m writing. And this means, that #3 spends the vast majority of her time (between 36-42 hours a week) being effectively brought up by other women.
When she first started nursery, about 18 months ago, I had never left her with anyone, other than my Mum and a couple of close friends. I was terrified to put her into childcare, having never needed to utilise the option with #1 and #2. We were lucky, and we hit the jackpot with the staff and setting that she is in, and she has thrived and absolutely fallen in love with the entire place. I am incredibly thankful to the girls who help me bring up my child when I can’t be there, even though I desperately wish I could be with her all the time.
They are the unsung heroes of the working world, they work incredibly long hours, with not very exciting pay, they look after more babies and toddlers than my brain can even fathom, and they spend all day changing, feeding, wiping, and loving these children without a moan or a fake smile.
So to the girls who love, and look after my child when I cannot be there – thank you.
Thank you for comforting her when she is upset or isn’t feeling quite herself. She’s still only wee, not quite 3 yet, and sometimes she just needs a cuddle. So thank you for providing them, unlimitedly and without reservation. Thank you for making her feel safe and secure when I’m not there.
Thank you for helping her overcome her fears. When she first started nursery she was so shy, she hated new people and change and would cling horribly to her key worker when it came to music on a Tuesday. Thank you for being patient with her and helping her overcome this gradually, at her own pace. She is turning into a confident, capable little girl who happens to now love music on a Tuesday, and that is because of you (certainly not me, music Tuesdays is not my thing), so thank you.
Thank you for not judging us when we turn up at 7:30am and she is still in her PJs. It’s hard work getting 3 children out the door for 7am, and sometimes I don’t quite tick all the boxes. There have been times when I have dropped her off in last nights jammies, and times when I have had to carry her sleeping from her bed, to the car, and into nursery, to hand the reigns over to you. Thank you for accepting, without judgement, that sometimes I suck at the life/work balance thing.
Thank you for teaching her. As we pulled up at a friends house the other day she announced “dat a 4 Mummy”. And it was. She then proceded to correctly identify all the numbers from 1-10, and even pointed at the traffic sign and declared it a ‘pizza shape’ (ok, I’ll take credit for that one). Thank you, for teaching her and educating her, in a way that has coaxed her out of her shell and allowed her to blossom into the child she is now. And thank you, for all those hours spent in your own time where you document these new things, log them and email them to me so I can read them (normally at 3am when I’m awake for no apparent reason) and be reassured that I haven’t ruined her by choosing to return to work.
And most importantly, thank you for your patience. #3 is unique, as is every child. There are times when I literally have no idea what she is saying, there are times when she throws her tea at me and announces “dat disgusting Mummy” (thanks for teaching her disgusting too by the way), and there are times when she really pushes my buttons. So thank you, for being patient with her, and for coaxing her to eat her lunch, and for waiting until she stops stropping so she can put on her shoes. Thank you for accepting her for who she is, super hero masks her head and all. And for loving her anyway.
Life is hard sometimes, for single parents and non single parents alike. Working can be hard on everyone; kids, parents, grandparents, everyone. But thankfully there are the super heroes in our midst who we call key workers, teachers, nursery workers, childminders, the list goes on, who come along and help pick up the slack sometimes, who help to share the burden. They are sometimes taken for granted, and unappreciated, but maybe we should all be slightly more thankful for the role that they play.
Thank you for taking the time to sing the praises of the childcarers who care for your child. I was in various child care setting for 20+ years, laterally a nanny. The most important thing to a true childcare professional is recognition that they are doing a great job. Too many people judge others who place children in child care without seeing that the people caring for the children are loving and empathetic people who want to care for the children and help. Your child will be making amazing memories in her setting and love the people who care for her. The most important thing is though, no matter what her carers do and help her with, she will always cry for mummy when she is hurt, upset or just needs a cuddle. That is the most important thing to remember, mummy is the most important person in that little persons life! (Also daddy, but a child will usually cry for mummy for comfort first and this is only due to the bond a mother has with her child) xx
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Thank you for your comment. I am incredibly grateful for all the people who care for my child 🙂 it helps me try to realise my dreams as well as nurture her and without these people that wouldn’t be possible. Xx
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Love this it makes our job so worth while hearing parents say these incredible things when I walked into her room the other day she was so excited to show me her new slippers shouted on me as soon as I walked through the door to show me them and proceeded to use me as a human climbing frame lol can’t wait for her to join my room
Miss Seona x
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This is truly lovely, im a single mum and a full time nursery assistant and its so nice to have someone who does thank and see our job as something amazing. Its so easy for people to say to us ‘you just play with kids all day’ when there is so much more than that. I really needed to read this today so thank you, its a wonderful read and I know I wont be the only one grateful 😊
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How lovely to hear this from a Mum’s perspective. I recently left childcare after 23yrs (although I now take care of 13 year old twins after school as I just love to be in a family environment) I work for a single, successful and hardworking Mum, they call be their “guardian angel” I agree, the role is long, busy and sadly so underpaid for all that chilcarers provide, amongst ourselves in the role we have always agreed that it’s love and not money which took us down that path. Over the years the children I have cared for have brought me so much joy, laughter, love and some horror moments too! I have felt appreciated by so many lovely families and not many jobs bring that these days. I am so proud to have some of my ‘little ones’ as my Facebook friends seeing how they have grown into gorgeous people and making their way into the world in careers of their own (so proud). Just before Christmas I happened upon one of these ‘little boys’ I forgot to ask how old he was now I imagine it’s about 25! He recognised me first I cried out his name when I realised who he was and we had the biggest hug you can imagine. My boyfriend was quite taken back he said after how lovely it was to see. This now young man said his family have never forgotten me and still talk about me fondly, in fact to this day they still send me a Christmas Card. This chance meeting made me realise what an influence childcarers have on a young person I was lucky enough to have a great childhood and our childhood is what makes us. This blog was forwarded to me by a Mum whose two lovely children I cared for over the years, both of the ‘children’ are doing great and one has become a police officer (how proud was I to see this!) this family made me part of their family. Yes we are underpaid but knowing what we are doing to pave a child’s life towards adulthood is the biggest reward ever.
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This is lovely as a nursery owner for over 15 years, to hear this side from a parent’s prospective is great. It is the most awarding job ever and seeing them adapt, change and grow in confidence over time is amazing.
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I’ve been sent this link as your daughter is the double of mine!! It’s uncanny
I needed to look a good few times!!
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Oh that’s so weird! Obviously has a good looking Mum 😛
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Thank you for taking the time to thank the childcare workers that look after your daughter. I currently work full time in a nursery and as hard working/stressful/tiring it is, it is so worth it when a child does something new or gives you a big cuddle! So thank you again for letting your appreciations be known!!
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I had to read this a few times as sounds like one of my parents who I childminder for had wrote it today as we have music Tuesdays and a child finally had the confidence to join in singing today. Thanks for taking time to write this xx
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What a beautiful article. My children have all been blessed with a variety of different childminders and pre school workers who have all been utterly dedicated to giving them the very best start in life. They are so selfless and hardworking and their contribution to my children’s early years has been invaluable. Incredible women, all of them!
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What lovely comments I am retired now but looked after young children at pre school, what a rewarding job that was I loved every minute of it have lovely photos and videos of your lovely children that you entrusted into our care Thank You x
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This was like reading about my own child and my exact feelings towards my child being in childcare 40 hours a week!
I too have found an amazing nursery, with amazing ladies who my boy adores and I am so grateful that I can go to work and not worry. I know he is having a ball. He cries when it’s time to leave 🙂
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I felt exactly the same with my little girl . Nursery she went to was fantastic , every single person has put so much love and passion in to it . They were raising my child most of the time while I was working . I’m a single mum so it was super hard ! But we did it ! She is at school now , counting , reading and lots more 🙂
I would do any of this without girls from nursery . So I’m very thankful x
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While I love the sentiment of this piece of writing it works to further exclude men from working in the childcare sector.
There is already a general consensus that men who wish to work in this sector are ‘a bit dodgy’ and this needs to change at the grass roots.
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As much as I can see your point I disagree. There are in fact no men who work in my child’s nursery, hence why I didn’t mention any. If that wasn’t the case then I would’ve titled the post differently and changed ‘women’ to ‘people’ or something similar. I work in a childcare setting myself, with school aged children and have male colleagues. Although I agree the balance is strongly tipped to the female percentage.
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Really thank God for such facilities now a days.I had bad times leaving my kids when they were eight months onwards .After bringing the child back home,i have seen my son go on sleep and came to know those workers give sedative drops to make the kids sleep .so i had to withdraw him from there and shift him in some neighborhood. It is really difficult for both parents in nuclear families and a big salute to those center where thry really take care of others children as their own.
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I’m not a parent yet, but as someone who has worked with children I found this post so beautiful.
So often we forget to acknowledge those who look after our children for us when we’re unable to do so, who help us raise them and who are there to help our children when we’re not there.
Childcare is more often than not filled with female workers. it’s still difficult to find men working in Primary School settings let alone as childminders or Nursery/pre-school workers.
I’m so pleased you’ve found a fabulous nursery for your daughter as the difficulty of finding good childcare is something that worries me most about becoming a parent.
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This is a lovely article and I can whole heartedly agree with you Sarah. My children are at the same nursery and you and I generally pass in a rush either at morning drop off or evening pick up. Like you, I am also a single Mum and have two young children and without the support this nursery has given, it really would have been very difficult. I go to work and am happy to drop off my children knowing they are safe, will learn and will play to their hearts content. Sometimes, my eldest does not want to come home! The staff are amazing and really have gone out of their way to help my children through some very difficult times. They can’t be thanked enough.
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I spent 7 years feeling like being in childcare was something people looked down on and that people felt was beneath them.. I did it anyway because it is my passion.. never have I felt as proud of my profession as I have reading this.. it moved me to tears. I don’t look after your baby, but I hope at some point maybe one of the parents of the many many children I have given my love, cuddles and time will have felt this way.
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Aaawww very well written. Both my kids went to Nursery ft from 10 months. It’s difficult but nursery make it so much easier. My 3yo literally skips into nursery every day, makes it so much easier x
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It’s said that other women have to raise our kids,why have them.I will try to spend as much time as i can with mine. I know it can’t be helped for some but some don’t need to go to childminders and are still sent. I would rather live on beans than have someone else raise my children.
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You’re opinion is your own. When I had my older children I was married and in a position where I did not have to work. Sadly my marriage broke down and in order to even feed my children beans I returned to employment. Situations are not as clear cut as they may appear and judging people for situations we do understand or have never been in is where society fails in my opinion.
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Have to say this is a beautiful read, I also work childminding and it is very true that it is for the love of working with children, defiantly not to get rich. But when you get the big hugs and thanks of the children it makes it so worth while. I hope the nursery that your child goes to gets to read this, it is great to get feedback like this, makes you feel like you are not just a childminder but the parents see all the other things outside the box that you do and knowing that they appreciate it goes a long way. Really enjoyed reading this.
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Reblogged this on Essence of Child Caring and commented:
This is simply beautiful and so well said. A lovely tribute to the carers who were there to share a very special time in a child’s life. One she will remember always. Thank you so much for posting this!!!!
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What about make staff do they have no acknowledgement we do just as much as female staff ?
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Male staff
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I can’t see your comment. Maybe you have deleted it on reflection. However I would like to address the first line that I still can see. There are no males who work in my child’s nursery. If there was then I would have recognised them. I work in the childcare sector and have male colleagues so I have no issue recognising their amazing hard work, however as this was a personal post regarding my own child and circumstance I spoke about the women who look after her. As she is looked after by women. If a male was to join this team then the acknowledgment would change from women to people. Hope this clears this up, have a great day 🙂
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This is lovely! it brought a tear to my eye.Im a preschool teaching assistant and often feel unappreciated and have to remind myself of the reason I do my job (especially on pay day) I think of myself as a temporary mummy for the day and care for them like they are my own.Thank you for sharing how important and valuable we are it means so much.
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Your article resonates SO well with me (all of it … the ratbag daughter etc etc!). We are so fortunate to have had quite simply outstanding early childhood educators looking after both of our kids for 40-45 hrs per week since they were both 6 months of age. Those woman have become friends and they’re actually most definitely an extension of our immediate family. I feel so blessed to have them in our lives and privileged to have them caring for our children. Thanks for writing such a great blog 🙂
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This is so lovely. I completely agree with you and for the time they spend with your child they should definitely get paid more. In saying that we are paying a lot of money to them to look after my two. They both love nursery. They have been going since the age of 6 months. So basically hey were raised by them too as I am working Monday to Friday.
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Fantastic post that really warmed my heart! Going to share on my Facebook and Twitter, it’s just lovely! 😍
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Thank you so much 🙂 x
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Thank you for this. It brought a tear to my eye, because I imagined every single one of key children in your post. I love my job and wouldn’t change it and with parents like yourself the job is made so worthwhile. The best part of it is when the parents can notice a positive difference in their child and that is such an amazing feeling for us, knowing we are helping your child become exactly how you want them to be. Thank you for this. ❤️
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I’ve worked in the child care field for 20 years, mostly with infants/toddlers. I have always treated each child as though they were my own child (or grandchild!) I find so much joy in connecting with each child individually. What are their strengths? What are their preferences? What makes them happy? We work on skills to help them to be capable and confident and independent. And kind. I find that consistency, rhythm and routine are most important in developing their trust. When they know what to expect, they realize they are safe…and loved. The first three years are the most important years in a child’s life. Giving them a good, solid base can help them to be brave and strong. When they are brave and strong, they learn how to face changes and challenges in their life. Parents, choose your child’s caregiver carefully. Good child care is good for children.
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This post has just made my day. I’ve worked in various childcare settings ever since leaving college, and believe me, I’ve loved every bit of it. Working in a nursery has taught me so much about children, and has shown me how beautiful and precious children are. I treated every child like there were my own, though I don’t have children of my own yet. I’d say the only downside about this job is when you eventually move on or leave your job for whatever reason, and are in tears because you’ve bonded and have become so attached to the children you have cared for and seen grow over the years. I’m now a nanny and care for the smartest 1 1/2 year old I’ve ever met. Thank you for showing your appreciation to childcare staff. I’m sure most parents feel the same way you do, but sometimes aren’t sure how to put ‘a big thank you’ into words.
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Great post. I’m so grateful to the village that is helping me out as a working mom – grandmas, our nanny and most of all my daughter’s preschool teachers. They are so wonderful and I credit them for so much of my daughter’s well being!
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