THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408120016
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
What a welcomed change: ``Teenage mom enters University of Michigan on an academic scholarship.'' What a new phenomenon: Judge orders three-year-old child removed from custody of the mother to paternal grandmother. Why? Because the mother was using child day-care services while attending classes.
This entire issue strikes at working and career woman: You must work, but keep your aspirations low. Further, the order implies that the child-care profession/industry is inadequate and detrimental to children. Child care is an essential business.
As director of an accredited child-care program, I can assure that early child care is still grossly misunderstood by many who have no contact with the early childhood-education profession. The profession has evolved and changed, just as any other career field and industry in the '80s and '90s.
Baby sitting is not synonymous with quality child care. Teachers and teaching assistants have extensive training in child development; age-related behavior and stages of growth and development; and appropriate materials and programs for infants, toddlers and preschool children.
More information is needed to educate the public on quality child care that is offered to children 6 weeks and older.
MARTHA M. WILLIAMS, executive director
Children's Harbor
Portsmouth, Aug. 2, 1994 by CNB