Human Services’ decision to revise the rules and regulations governing local daycare centers may have come as a shock to some providers on St. Thomas, but many said this week they understand the department’s effort to "raise the bar" and "set the standard" for early childhood education.
In fact, the only section of the draft rules really contested during a recent meeting hosted for providers requires daycare owners and operators to have a bachelor’s degree in childhood education or an associate of arts degree, with relevant years of experience and training.
Several of the older providers, ranging from age 65 to 70, said they "couldn’t imagine" themselves going back to school and wondered whether their decades of experience teaching young children counted for nothing.
They do, said assistant human services Commissioner Michal Rhymer-Charles, who pointed out that many providers already have associates degrees in other areas, and might only have to take a few extra courses at the University of the Virgin Islands.
"The critical piece is the early care and education component," she explained. "We can’t think of education anymore as beginning in kindergarten. It begins in the crib, and you’ll see that there are universities that will work with you to get the classes that you need."
Human Services Commissioner Chris Finch added that the department "won’t be doing anyone" a favor if it doesn’t boost the education requirements, since the field is rapidly changing and providers need to do whatever they can to give themselves a competitive edge. Obtaining a higher level of education ensures that local providers are qualified in early childhood education and it also allows them to charge more and tap into federal subsidies tied to education, he said.
Meanwhile, providers have time to complete the requirements, according to Rhymer-Charles. Nothing concrete has been set, she said, but the department is thinking within a range of 24 to 36 months or longer, depending on what’s reasonable. Bottom-line, she added, is that Human Services is there to work with the providers, not drive them into bankruptcy.
And suggestions are welcome, she added. During the meeting on St. Thomas, one provider suggested that those with several years of experience be allowed to take professional development seminars or something along those lines instead of having to attend educational forums where they don’t really learn anything new.
While Human Services officials did explain that the department does provide financial assistance for those going back to school, Rhymer-Charles added that department representatives will also head over to Puerto Rico soon for a meeting on how the territory can tap into about $8 billion in federal funds proposed for early childhood education.
"We want to be prepared, so we can prepare you to apply," she said.
Finch also suggested providers band together to form a Childcare Owners Association, which can formulate some more recommendations for professional development in the territory.
"Don’t wait for Human Services or the government to do things for you," he said. "If you work together, you can get a lot more done."
