In this episode of Childcare Challenges: Dilemmas in daycare your host Tashieanna O’Connor got on a call with Jennifer Heywood, a recently retired teacher with 30 years of experience in New York’s educational system.

In this fascinating and free ranging conversation they discuss pay-parity for teachers, what it was like during lockdowns and how the burdens of paperwork and admin prevent teachers from spending time focusing on the children in their classes.

They also talk about difficulties parents have helping their kids with their homework because how the work is done has changed and how parents and teachers need to form a united front to drive change

So tune in and discover the importance of unity.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode your host Tashieanna O’Connor is talking to Mr X, a teacher’s assistant from the Bronx in New York City.

Mr X has been in the field for a decade and his passion and commitment is inspiring, so listen in and learn what he believes are critical challenges for childcare and education and how they can be overcome.

He has a strong focus on parental engagement and believes that spending just a few minutes a day talking to your children and learning about their day and their schoolwork will have massive benefits. And that parents and teachers should cooperate for both education and fundraising.

Mr X also wants to see education having a stronger focus on real life skills and knowledge, rather than being focussed on test results.

So get inspired, and get involved.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode send a mail to:

[email protected]

This episode your host Tashieanna O’Connor sat down with Romario Falconer, who has recently started as a teacher at a childcare center in New York.

Romario has fascinating perspectives on the industry and the conversation covers a ton of topics, including his methods for engaging with families to include them in their child’s curriculum, including fun family events and the challenges involved in getting them involved.

He also goes into the difficulties teaching kids whose first language isn’t English, the lack of pay and funding and the importance of early education for success later in education and life.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode your host Tashieanna O’Connor sat down for a conversation with Tone Dorsey, an inspiring young social worker specializing in getting foster kids into, and through, a college education.

He shares about challenges from lack of funding for the various programs and difficulties getting students with difficult backgrounds and issues like food insecurity to focus on their educations, despite distractions and challenges in their lives.

He also talks about the importance of looking for opportunities for networking and learning in the community and in the field that students and children want to work in to help them prepare for their lives studying and working.

Learn about his and so much more I this fascinating conversation.

Links:

https://fosteringcollegesuccessinitiative.org/

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode Tasheianna O’Conner sat down for a fascinating chat with Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman of Childcare for Connecticut’s Future.

In the frank, sometimes sad, but also positive discussion they covered the importance of early education and childcare on children, families and even the economy, as money spent on early education has huge financial benefit later in life as children grow into adults more prepared for life.

Eva also talked about some of the fantastic organisation helping families nationally and in Connecticut and strategies at community and policy level to improve the lives of children, parents and the workers who look after the kids.

While things can seem dark, there are plans in place for a brighter future for all.

So tune in and get inspired.

Links:

https://www.unitedway.org/#

https://ctvoices.org/

http://earlychildhoodalliance.com/

https://www.childcareforct.org/

https://www.accesshealthct.com/

Find Eva here:

X:                           https://x.com/evaberzim

Instagram:         https://www.instagram.com/evaberzim/

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode, your host and Childcare Professional Tashieanna sat down with Jessica. Jessica has had children in Tashieanna’s care and has been open about her struggles as a working mom. And the struggles are real despite the fact they are a two-parent home with two incomes.

Tune in and learn about the struggles that people face even when they may seem fortunate as financial and social challenges get in their way, and get Jessica’s perspective on how government can make changes that will free people from the struggle and benefilt society.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode send a mail to:

[email protected]

Have you ever wondered about what it’s like to run an in-home daycare? In this episode Tashieanna tells her story.

Starting from her experiences as a mom looking for care for her own children, to the challenges of moving from New York to Connecticut. From starting a daycare in the early 2000s and the many positive steps taken in the years since to make child care a more sustainable career thanks to government support programs and the work of unions, get a cold hard look at what it takes to look after your kids when you go to work.

But it’s not all tough. For people who love children it’s rewarding, helps you build friendships and impacts the lives of the little ones who really need it.

In this episode Tashieanna sat down for a glass of wine and a session of truth telling with one of her clients, Aaliyah.

Aaliyah is a parent of twins, a single mom and has experience with Childcare Centers and At Home Childcare services so has a depth of knowledge and insight into the impact of childcare costs on families, and the strain that financial struggles place on childcare services.

Sit down and join the discussion about the benefits and limits of Connecticut childcare funding, how it compares to New York and get some insights into how it may work in your backyard.

Interested in the new Legislation Tashieanna mentioned? find it here:

·        Public Act 24-49 AN ACT CONCERNING YOUTH CAMPS

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/act/pa/pdf/2024PA-00049-R00SB-00215-PA.pdf (ENG)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/act/pa/pdf/2024PA-00049-R00SB-00215-PA.pdf (SPA)

·        Public Act 24-78 AN ACT ASSISTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL

OUTCOMES, IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND CAREER SYSTEM AND ESTABLISHING EARLY START CT

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/act/pa/pdf/2024PA-00078-R00SB-00014-PA.pdf (ENG)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/act/pa/pdf/2024PA-00078-R00SB-00014-PA.pdf (SPA)

·        Public Act 24-91 AN ACT CONCERNING EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION.

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/act/pa/pdf/2024PA-00091-R00HB-05002-PA.pdf (ENG)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/act/pa/pdf/2024PA-00091-R00HB-05002-PA.pdf (SPA)

Join us as we delve into the pressing issues facing early educators and daycare services today. "Childcare Challenges: Dilemmas in Daycare" explores the myriad struggles that educators encounter, from low pay and inadequate health care to uncertain retirement and collecting payment.

Rising costs, limited openings, and an overtaxed industry are pushing families to seek alternative childcare solutions, and these challenges not only affect children's development but also have significant implications for the economy.

Through interviews with early educators, parents, policymakers, and experts, we aim to shed light on these critical issues and explore potential solutions.

Tune in to understand the real stories behind the statistics and learn what can be done to support our educators, families, and most importantly, our children.