Anonymous wrote:Wow. This conversation is very enlightening.

Most people on this thread assume that the care of a child 0-3 is basically tending a potato plant. Food, water, sun - they will be fine!

No. People are saying that training (and lot of it!) is needed; a college degree is not.

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone go through the effort and expense of earning a degree to work for peanuts? This credentialism is insane.

Why don't you ask almost any college professor.....

Wow. This conversation is very enlightening.

Most people on this thread assume that the care of a child 0-3 is basically tending a potato plant. Food, water, sun - they will be fine!

Anonymous wrote:The Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU will be discussing this issue today at noon. If you have comments, email kojo@wamu.org, subject: Childcare http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2017-04-25/addr...-cost-of-daycare-in-our-region They would like feedback from local parents. You can also leave comments on the website or tweet them @kojoshow.

Anyone tuning in right now?

Why would anyone go through the effort and expense of earning a degree to work for peanuts? This credentialism is insane.

The Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU will be discussing this issue today at noon. If you have comments, email kojo@wamu.org, subject: Childcare http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2017-04-25/addr...-cost-of-daycare-in-our-region They would like feedback from local parents. You can also leave comments on the website or tweet them @kojoshow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were faced with a choice between two providers, one of whom had a degree in child development or something similar, and one who didn't, I'd pick the provider with the degree.

Frankly, it seems like such an obvious choice I don't even understand what the fuss is about.

Just how much extra would you pay for that degree, on an hourly basis?

Whatever the added cost premium was, it would be worth it for better personnel.

Same as in many other businesses. You pay a premium for better educated people, and you typically get better results for it.

Anonymous wrote:If I were faced with a choice between two providers, one of whom had a degree in child development or something similar, and one who didn't, I'd pick the provider with the degree.

Frankly, it seems like such an obvious choice I don't even understand what the fuss is about.

Just how does a college degree make someone more loving, caring, playful? Because that's what I wanted for my baby. I wanted 100% play and attention until Kindergarten. I don't want tests and structure until elementary school starts.

My favorite daycare teacher has Down Syndrome. She's the most loving one there, but I doubt she could pass college.

Anonymous wrote:If I were faced with a choice between two providers, one of whom had a degree in child development or something similar, and one who didn't, I'd pick the provider with the degree.

Frankly, it seems like such an obvious choice I don't even understand what the fuss is about.

Just how much extra would you pay for that degree, on an hourly basis?

If I were faced with a choice between two providers, one of whom had a degree in child development or something similar, and one who didn't, I'd pick the provider with the degree.

Frankly, it seems like such an obvious choice I don't even understand what the fuss is about.

Women should not support this. Who do you think the burden of childcare is going to fall on after half the daycares close and the costs skyrocket?

What percentage of people do you think are going to obtain a college degree and then decide to work at daycare job that pays just north of minimum wage? I know there are a lot of well to do people in the DMV where the cost of care is no object, but the cost of care is an issue for a lot of people. So what will happen to the cost at daycare centers that are used by low income families? Will the District government provide grants for the daycare workers that they are going to require to obtain a degree? If not, some people will have to take out loans to get a degree to turn around and get paid peanuts? You mean to tell me the District cannot come up with a training certificate based program? I understand the intent but I see a lot of unintended consequences as well.

Anonymous wrote:MDSE (who regulate all MD in home daycares and centers) is toying around with this idea too. I guarantee that if that happens you will have a mass closing of many daycares, mostly in home, I believe. As it is, MD has strict licensing requirements, yearly training, and high standards. If they add mandatory degrees, they will loose many providers.

Terrible idea.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the prospect of an increase in the cost of daycare is enough to cause people to panic, then maybe that's an indication that their priorities about where they're choosing to live are misguided.

DC is a premium location, and frankly, it's not for everyone. So if daycare costs are causing undue budgetary hardships, then perhaps you should consider living somewhere more affordable.

This isn't hard to figure out

Sure, more affordable places. That don't have jobs. That's why they are affordable. I could live in a WVA coal town for SUPER CHEAP. But anything is expensive when you don't have a job.

Not to mention that as a proportion of income child care is expensive EVERYWHERE in the country. This is a national issue, not a D.C. specific one.

And agree with PPs, what is essential for daycare is safety, nurturing, and appropriately stimulating environment. Don't need a college degree to deliver that.

MDSE (who regulate all MD in home daycares and centers) is toying around with this idea too. I guarantee that if that happens you will have a mass closing of many daycares, mostly in home, I believe. As it is, MD has strict licensing requirements, yearly training, and high standards. If they add mandatory degrees, they will loose many providers.