Constantly, I am surprised

by the way we prioritize

careers.

The average pay for a childcare worker,

the ones who are watching

and educating

our children,

is $12 an hour

(on the higher end).

However,

an employee at

Home Depot,

Best Buy

or other retail store

tend to make

more

money per hour.

Whether we accept this,

or just do not realize it;

a person

showing us how to find

something on a shelf

is paid more than

the person who

we are asking to

care for,

educate,

and in many cases,

spend more time with

our children.

Today, I came across a posting for a job:

“We provide exceptional care for infants 6 weeks to 17 months in our nursery and are seeking an experienced infant caregiver to join us. This position requires a thorough knowledge of infant’s changing needs as they develop and a warm, tender approach to care of infants with different temperaments.”

Sounds like a great job.

It goes on and then adds:

(Children may NOT accompany you to work in this position.)

I can understand this requirement.

Bringing children often complicates things.

But,

the shocker comes at the end:

Compensation: $8.50 + per hour

This comes from a company

that I have heard decent reviews from.

Kids are being watched in this facility.

It would be one thing

if the facility could not

find parents

willing to leave their children

in the care

of someone

who is only making $8.50/hour.

But

parents are

leaving their children

in the facility.

Educated parents.

Parents who want the best for their children.

I do not understand it.

Are parents unaware?

I would love to meet the

qualified individual

who is willing to work

for $10/hour

(I will even give them

the benefit of the doubt

and say the company

is actually hiring someone

at the “+” end of the pay range.)

at a job that requires

an understanding of child development

but will not

allow them to bring their own children.

I understand times are tough.

I know that I have taken

jobs at a pay cut

with our current economy.

As a parent,

there have been times I

was in desperate need

of childcare.

Yet,

I still do not understand

why we just

accept

that our children

deserve to be cared for

by someone

who is paid less

than

the sales staff at a store?

Want statistics?

National Childcare Worker Pay rates are here.

Best Buy Statistics are here.

Home Depot Statistics are here.