Finding a Child Care Space

Finding a Child Care Space For Your Own Child
by Monica Lytwyn

You are an early childhood educator and a parent. Your child is on a waiting list at eight centres, all of which cannot guarantee that they will have a space available when you will need one in six months. Your employer is aware of your situation and offers you a space for your child at the centre where you are currently employed. The centre's personnel policies state that employees of the centre may have their own children attend. You previously thought it may be difficult to have your own child at your centre but are worried that you may not get a space elsewhere. What should you do?

Finding a child care space for your child is difficult when spaces are limited. When a solution presents itself, the problem seems to be solved…but is it really?

Your first step in making the best choice is to identify your first reaction. Why are you feeling this way? What would your decision be if you were to follow your gut instinct? Are you making any assumptions?

Next, look at the Code of Ethics. Are there any principles in conflict? Are there any principles in conflict with themselves? Demonstrating caring for the children and working in ways to enhance human dignity may be in conflict. For example, the simple act of praising a child (demonstrating caring) may make your child feel left out (not enhancing human dignity). Using this same example, you could be promoting the health and well-being of one child while hurting your own. The opposite could also be true, by praising your own child; another child might feel that you are playing favourites.

Then identify the stakeholders: yourself, your child, other parents, other staff of the centre, and other children.

Once you have listed all the stakeholders, you will need to identify possible actions. For example, you might take the space at your centre, wait to see if one of the other eight centres will call you with a space in six months, or try to look at more centres.

After you have included all stakeholders and possible actions, identify the consequences to each stakeholder, based on the possible actions. For example, if you take the space at your centre your co-workers may feel that they need to pay special attention to your child. This could have negative results for all the children at the centre.

Now take a moment to think about which way you leaning. Are you thinking about taking the space or looking for another alternative? Which principles have primacy for you? Do you feel that enhancing human dignity is more important than demonstrating caring or vice versa? Why do you feel this way? Think of your own personal beliefs and values. Once you have given primacy to the principles in conflict, a best choice should be apparent. Do you take the space at your centre or do you have another best choice?

Monica Lytwyn is currently on maternity leave from her ECE/Supervisor position at Little Bo Beep Day Nursery Inc. She is the chairperson of the Ethics Committee and a member of the Manitoba Child Care Association Board of Directors.

Interaction, Vol. 16, No. 3, Fall 2002, p. 14.