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smartest_kobold OP t1_iw2jt2r wrote

Reply to comment by Bertob15 in Child care centers worry about background check changes by smartest_kobold

Maybe they should find a way to reduce turnover.

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RickyDaytonaJr t1_iw2n49k wrote

I paid $35,000 in daycare fees last year for my two kids. Our daycare pays the highest wages of any daycare in our area, and there is still a ridiculous amount of turnover.

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smartest_kobold OP t1_iw2qwrj wrote

Sounds like much bigger solutions are needed instead of quicker background checks

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RickyDaytonaJr t1_iw2s96n wrote

It’s a tough job. The pay has improved, but still isn’t anything to write home about ($17-$25/hour at the daycare my kids go to). It’s a highly regulated industry, and often the teachers have to work through breaks to maintain required ratios. There aren’t many new people coming into the industry, so the daycare facilities all try to poach each other’s staff…and the result is chronic staffing shortages and dramatically increasing costs.

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Fizzle_Fazzle t1_iw49ptj wrote

When I went to enroll in an early childhood education program at a community college in the state, the advisor straight up told me I was going to be paid poorly and asked me a few times if I was sure. She pushed me to really consider getting to the level where I could be a lead teacher going into any job. At the time she told me to expect about $10/hr starting out. So I would have student loans to be paid back and only be making $10/hr. Things got all screwed up with the classes so I dropped them and was supposed to start the correct classes the next semester but I got a job at a produce market for $9.75/hr which pretty quickly was raised to $14/hr. Then I got into data entry and made $18/hr with incredible insurance and never looked back. I miss working with children but I don't regret turning away from that path.

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valleyman02 t1_iw30i1t wrote

Sounds like a worker's wage and benefits problem. Money does not seem like the problem. As in your paying more than enough to fund a great program. Seems like when you can't find workers you're probably not paying enough wages.

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manicmonkeys t1_iw2sryi wrote

Do you know how well they pay? Aka do they actually pay good wages, or just slightly less shitty than other daycares?

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RickyDaytonaJr t1_iw2tdzz wrote

Entry level (Assistant Teacher) starts at $17/hour at the daycare my kids go to. Lead teachers could start up to $23/hour, but I’ve recently heard of new hires with experience getting up to $25/hour. Other daycares in my area pay less.

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Naillian603 t1_iw2yvmg wrote

Working with other people’s little kids under strict rules and scrutiny by parents, all while under serious constant surveillance. Not really what I would call an easy, low-stress job…

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