Are you a Child Care Provider in the Maryland area? If so, there is an online support group just for you.

Anne Arundel Family Child Care Association
Baltimore County Family Child Care Association
Calvert County Family Child Care Association
Carroll County Family Child Care Association
Charles County Family Daycare Association
Howard County Family Child Care Association
Family Childcare Assn of Montgomery County
Wicomico Quality Childcare Assn

Maryland State Family Child Care Association

Child Care Links
Childcare Parent Provider Information Page
Grant Resources
Maryland Child Care Resource
Maryland Committee For Children
MPT Ready To Grow
MSDE Child Care Administration

HANDY LINK TO MARYLAND CCA FORMS
CCA Forms

Immunizations - pdf

Immunizations

Interviewing Parents

Barney's Playhouse

Caution! Kids At Play

Child's Play Family Childcare

Cozzie Bear Family Daycare

Home Away From Home Family Daycare

Kelleys Little Heroes

Lil Bits Of Heaven On Earth Daycare

Lil Tots Learning Center & Preschool

Little Learners Daycare

Mom Ease Childcare

My Favorite Playhouse Family Daycare and Home School

This page is dedicated to all the hard working Child Care Providers in the Maryland area. We are very dedicated to our job. We ensure the safety and well being of the world's most precious asset. We're always on the GO GO GO!!!

"What Child-Care Providers Wish You Knew"

Your child-care provider isn't only a baby-sitter-at times she may also be your lifesaver and best friend. Above all, she needs to be treated professionally for her to do a good job.
Listen to what these child-care providers around the country wish parents would remember.

EARLY CHILD CARE IS MORE THAN BABY-SITTING. "I'm not a teenager," says Erin Austria, a Chicago mother who runs a family day-care center. "I have two degrees in child education." Many caregivers report that the younger the child is in their care is, the lower their own status is. Child-care providers should be treated as the experts they are.

WE'RE COLLABORATORS, NOT ADVERSARIES. "We need to know what's up with your child," says Carla Horwitz, director of the Calvin Hill Day Care Center at Yale University. Talk to your child-care provider about any changes in your child's life and be sure to check in regularly about how the daily routine is working. Don't be afraid to communicate any concerns you have. "It's best for everyone that we talk rather than carry around unexpressed gripes," says Judith Abranovich, a Haddon Heights, H.J., nanny an co-president of the National Association of Nannies, in Pennington, H.J.

PLAY BY THE RULES.
Be on time when picking up your child and, to be fair, keep your child home he is sick. Remember to supply all the items your child will need throughout the day, advises Austria. And if you employ an in-home day-care provider, don't expect her to work overtime for no pay or to complete household tasks other than those agreed upon.

KEEP YOUR REQUESTS REASONABLE
Don't expect group providers to change their schedule or accommodate your child in special ways, such as having her stay indoors during playtime or skip a nap. "I have one mother who dresses her child in expensive outfits and then tells me not to let her get dirty," says Austria.

YOUR APPRECIATION MEANS ALMOST AS MUCH AS YOUR KIDS' HUGS
"Employers send me flowers on special occasions," says Kellie Geres, a nanny in Atlanta. A card, small gift or heartfelt thank you at the end of the day make your caregiver feel valued.

-Julie Calson

We are not Rosie the Robot, Mary Poppins, or any of those other imaginary caregivers of children.

Child Care Providers Unite
Of course staying home with your baby is the ideal situation for a new mother, but sadly, in this day in age, it's just not feasible. It takes a two income family just to manage the everyday expenses. And if you're a single mom, chances are you have to work just to live. This is sad but true and until our government decides to really do something about it, a family daycare home will be where your baby spends the majority of their day.

I'd like to give praise to all the hard working child care providers that work long, hard hours and must also keep up with their own family's needs. People who work in the Child Care profession, are sometimes unnoticed and unappreciated. Some people believe we are just glorified babysitters and this is totally untrue. Child Care Providers must go through rigorous background checks, fingerprinting, and must attend workshops pertaining to their business and child care. We must keep detailed records and pay taxes just like any other business. We are a caring breed that sometimes gets forgotten.

The Childcare Provider

I don't wear power suits, make speeches or drive a fancy sports car.
I've never talked on a car phone, made a big sale, or been elected to the senate. I don't "do lunch", have a big impressive office, or carry a beeper.
I spend my days wiping away tears, giving hugs, and serving chick nuggets.
A good day is when I go a whole 9 hours without a temper tantrum, bite mark or a toilet training accident.
My office is a room full of brightly colored toys and laughing children.
You may not think that what I do is very important and you may even whisper behind my back "What a waste of a good mind" but I know better.
I make a difference because I'm changing the world one child at a time.
Everyday I'm getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance to touch the future. I'm proud to say
"I'm a Child Care Provider"

The Hand Holders
A Tribute to Caregivers
by Dori Rossmann

There is no job more important than yours,
no job anywhere else in the land.
You are the keepers of the future;
you hold the smallest of hands.

Into your care you are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of your everyday heroics,
your talents and skills go unsung.

You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
You rock babies brand new in your arms.
You encourage the shy and unsure child.
You make sure they are safe from all harm.

You foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
You respect and you honor their emotions.
You give hugs to each child when they're sad.

You have more impact than does a professor,
a child's mind is molded by four;
so whatever you lay on the table
is whatever that child will explore.

Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly in the wind and dance on the stars
and build castles of sand on the shore.

It is true that you don't make much money
and you don't get a whole lot of praise,
but when one small child says, "I love you,"
you're reminded of how this job pays.

THERE WAS A PROVIDER WHO LIVED IN A SHOE

by Wiggy516 aka Sandi Burgess-Dean

There was a provider who lived in a shoe
      But being professional, she knew what to do.
      She made best use of the space she could spare
      and set up her home for family child care.

      She registered with the state,called USDA,
      Checked in with her R & R the very next day.
      She knew she would need help in her situation,
      The answer was joining a provider association.

      She took CPR and First Aid classes, too
      and brushed up on all the things kids like to do.
      She advertised, interviewed, contracted and then
      She counted the kids carefully--no more than ten.

      She fed them good foods and recorded it too.
      She potty trained Jake, helped Mark tie his shoe.
      Collected art items and made a new batch of clay
      and cut out cute pictures for a new theme's display.

      She diapered, she bandaged, she wiped every nose
      She comforted Tim when Sue stepped on his toes.
      She cooked and she washed, scrubbing floors, scraping glue.
      She recorded attendance, did her bookkeeping too.

      She wrote parents notes home 'bout the kids in her care,
      Anecdotes and concerns that they'd want her to share.
      She read tothe children while they sat in her lap
      And she sang to them softly when they started to nap.

      She called a provider who was feeling depressed.
      She spoon fed the baby then got him redressed.
      She picked up and dusted when they went out the door.
      She updated records, picked up toys, mopped the floor.

      She started the laundry, checked the mail, made a list
      of the groceries she needed and the chores that she'd missed
      She collapsed in a chair and put up her feet,
      Then in came her family wanting something to eat.
      She fed them all quickly, heard their stories, gave them hugs.
      Then she rapidly washed up all the dishes and mugs.
      As the family retired at the end of the day
      She got out some books to study for her CDA.

      She reflects on her day, in her eyes there's a gleam,
      For this provider is developing pride and esteem.
      SHe works a long day and the pay ins't fair,
      But the kis that she works with get quality care.

      Their parents commute to their work sites each day,
      Concerns about child care aren't in their way.
      They are free to produce at a marvelous rate,
      Which benefits business all over the state.

      If you live in a big house or even a shoe,
      Great is the work a provider can do.
      Be proud, stand up tall, wear a smile on your face,
      You are helping "tomorrow" be a much better place!

PLEASE DON'T CALL ME 'BABYSITTER'
Little children come to me for hugs and books and such. I care
for all their special needs and also fix them lunch.
I pick up toys, mop up spills, and often dry their tears.
I change their diapers, settle fights and kiss away their fears.
I tie their shoes, button coats and push them on the swing.
I really love these kids, you see, but there is just one thing.
Call me Mom or Aunt or Teacher or other names that fit,
But please don't call me the "sitter", because I never get to sit!
~author unknown

The Definition of Childcare Provider

click on thumbnail to enlarge

WEB PAGES DEDICATED TO PROVIDERS

EVERYWHERE

Hit Counter Visitors

Page Edited on 09/05/07