Tenacity, Dedication, Determination: Qualities of a Child Care Provider

AUSTIN, Texas, March 29, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Tenacity, dedication, and determination are only a few of the many skills that Betty Anne White relied on when opening her childcare home 16 years ago. With a background in accounting she was nervous, but knew she wanted to take on the responsibility to provide excellent child care for her three sons and others in the area. Through encouragement, Betty Anne has created a successful business and enjoys teaching in a family atmosphere with real-world situations that include daily trips and simple activities such as mealtime.

At Betty Anne’s home, mealtime takes as much planning as a craft or activity. Meals are served family style but with a distinct difference; everything is not served at the same time. The first course often consists of one that is not a favorite, such as the vegetable. Because the children are hungry, they eat the vegetable without too much protest and hopefully begin to like it. While the children are tasting the first course she prepares the second course in front of the kids, teaching them and engaging in conversation. Then the children serve themselves the second course and everyone waits until all are finished before the next activity.

Mealtimes are often seen as a time to get through. I treat them as a portion of the day to learn.

Betty Anne White, Child Care Provider

Part of mealtime is being aware of others which is a theme carried throughout the day. On daily trips, the children move together as they choose as long as it is safe. They stop at each corner and wait for the group to be ready before they move to the next section. As Betty Anne says, children have to be aware of others, looking at the entire picture, not just themselves. They are taught this through consistency, repetition, and care. Betty Anne is amazed at the things young children can do when we simply slow down and give them the opportunity. 

Betty Anne focuses on the entire picture by engaging with children’s family members. She started a single parents group and now also offers couples relationship classes and parenting strategy classes. She enjoys helping people be creative in solving problems.  Betty Anne is finishing her degree in Community Engagement with Day Care Studies as a minor and she hopes to focus more on helping other child care providers as a teacher and mentor. Through it all, Betty Anne knows that becoming a home child care provider has allowed her to make a positive impact on both children and their families alike.

CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. When children are cared for by providers who are part of the CACFP program they are receiving the best nutrition available. Learn more about other CACFP providers featured in the Member Showcase at CACFP's website, www.cacfp.org.

Since 1986, the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) is the leading national organization for sponsors who administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). It provides education and support to thousands of members in the CACFP community and in particular to sponsors of all sizes from across the country. CACFP strives to improve communication between families, caregivers, sponsors and their supervising government agencies.

Source: National CACFP Sponsors Association