Something that has become apparent to me through my son Oliver attending daycare, is the scary level of sanitation day to day things have to be 'nowadays' - and this is coming from someone who is still in her mid 20's!!!
What happened to the days of running around in the rain, playing in mud puddles, knowing how to care for pets (not electronic ones), climbing trees (and probably falling out) and making cubby houses???? I know I know - I have heard the hygiene arguments ( and I understand and agree with - to a certain point) but why does it have to be at the cost of priceless childhood experiences? Why, when spending sometimes up to 5 days per week in childcare do the kids have to play with the same plastic toys everyday, not touch a blade of grass and heaven forbid have animals to learn about?? And then we wonder why they wont get their heads out of computer games as teenagers!!
Yes, I am very passionate about this topic .... SO, what to do about it? I have a vision for the new way of childcare being very organic, meaning that the kids have natural grass, animals to raise and care for, real cubby houses, ability to interact between age groups, mini gardens and vege patches to tend to ( and eat the produce of) and so on ..... yes this means them getting dirty and possibly having a graised knee but don't you think the positives far out weigh the negatives?
Yes I hear you say - what about cost? I believe that quality rules over cost in most cases and when parents see what the benefits are to paying $5-10 more per day I think this problem would be solved - I think the CCB should also be re-assessed with prehaps a few more flexible payment options to make life easier for parents as yes - its expensive, but the government needs to get onboard to assist in changing this so we can give our children these experiences again.
How does this all fit in with what I do .... I love making a house a home - I would love to be able to make the daycares that these children go to a home away from home - somewhere that is stimulating, exciting, fun, educational and most of all encourages the childrens natural enquisitive instincts to explore and learn. This also means getting rid of the clinical and sterile approach to the interiors of centres (yes hygiene must remain at a certain standard I agree) however this can be done in a fun a homely way with different products/finishes used.
I have included some pictures of elements I'd like to see incorporated in centres....
| Have water play areas for hot days - can be quite basic and have tank water used |
 |
| Having animals such as tadpoles that they can then feed, watch grow and release into wild |
No comments:
Post a Comment