How the community can help
“If you love working with children, this is the time because we are in need of the right people,” said Lee. Johnson says the efforts of OKDHS and other community organizations are paying off, even though the full effects are not being felt yet.
“[They] are working right now to figure out ways to get more quality care and more teachers coming in [to the field],” said Johnson. “There are lots of people that are taking classes wanting to get into this field. We have to continue working together.” Johnson stresses that it’s critical that both providers and employees have support from each other and the parents. For her as director, that means she collaborates with her employees to get their feedback and consistently reiterates to them that they have her support and that they must take care of themselves and their families, too. She also notes, especially for the center’s first-time parents, the childcare workers’ years of child development experience are invaluable. “Their position is significant,” said Johnson of her employees. “I want to make sure they feel valued.”
Lee calls the childcare industry a “vital space and a sacred space.” While much like in the education industry, there has been a lack of respect paid to teachers and childcare employees, but Lee says that tide is beginning to turn in her industry. “The reason we have so much money from the government [to support childcare] is because this is a vital service,” said Lee. Prior to the pandemic, Lee said parents and the community at large were more likely to undervalue childcare workers, often calling them babysitters, when in reality providers do so much more than simply play with children. “We are instilling into someone’s life, and that’s an honor,” said Lee. “The physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive development … early educators have the insight to mold and guide that for children.”
“We have to put in the work and keep a positive mindset. Sometimes that’s a struggle — everyone knows this is not the best-paying field so you have to love what you do.” Ramona Johnson
44 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2022
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