Daycare and Preschool Workers- Tell Your Story

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* 1. Ok so first of all, everything in this survey is anonymous. We won't share this with your coworkers or boss. We just want some frank insight about your job, and the working conditions at preschools. To start things off, tell us a little bit, however comfortable you are with details, about your working situation. How long have you worked in the childcare industry? What kind of a school do you work at? Or if you no longer work in the childcare industry but used to, that's fine. Just tell us more about your experience.

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* 2. How many years have you/ did you work in the childcare industry?

Less than a year

1-3 years

3-10 years

More than 10 years

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* 3. Do you worry about your job security?

Yes- and with so many parents keeping their kids at home lately, that hasn't helped.

I felt good about my job security before the pandemic. Now, I'm terrified

No, I have skills that will always be in need. I may need to look for other work, but I'm not too worried about my job right now.

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Being a childcare worker isn't easy. Do you feel appreciated by the parents of the kids you teach?

Yes.

Mostly.

Not really. But that's ok because the kids are the reason I do what I do. Not the parents.

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* 5. What do you think are some of the the hardest parts about being a childcare worker?

Pay isn't great.

Not much vacation time or paid sick leave.

Not a lot of flexibility with work schedules.

I worry about my health, especially now. You can't really contain germs when you are dealing with babies and toddlers.

Sometimes, I don't feel appreciated by parents.

Interpersonal stuff at work. Like if stuff between my coworkers gets tense, or if we get on each other's nerves.

The kids wear me out.

It can sometimes be hard or awkward to communicate with parents.

Understaffing- we aren't always able to stick with the correct ratios because we get understaffed some days.

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* 6. Ok so it's tough. Why do you do it? (check all that apply)

The kids and their hugs.

I'm good with kids.

This is pretty much all I know how to do. I would love to change careers, but feel this is the work I'm most qualified to do right now.

It makes a difference. If you can teach someone young, that sticks with them.

We need good childcare workers. Even though it's tough, I know it's important to help other people do their jobs. Without childcare workers, society would fall apart.

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Do you encounter or see signs of racism in your work? Either with coworkers, with parents, or whoever? If yes, tell us about it.

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* 8. Do you think how much money a parent makes affects what kind of childcare their kid gets?

I think it's pretty much equal. After all- parents can get assistance to help pay for childcare if they can't afford it.

I think it's pretty equal. Even day cares that don't charge as much are some of the best places for children. It just depends on the teachers.

I think it depends. If you are an hourly, minimum wage worker- it's hard to find childcare, because your schedule isn't flexible.

When day cares opened back up after the stay at home orders were relaxed, I saw how some private-pay families had more of a luxury of whether to send their kids to daycare or not.

Even though teachers aren't supposed to know which kids are private pay and which gets get their tuition payed for by the state, I've seen teachers treating private pay kids differently or giving them more attention.

Other (please specify)

Daycare and Preschool Workers- Tell Your Story

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* 2. How many years have you/ did you work in the childcare industry?

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* 3. Do you worry about your job security?

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* 4. Being a childcare worker isn't easy. Do you feel appreciated by the parents of the kids you teach?

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* 5. What do you think are some of the the hardest parts about being a childcare worker?

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* 6. Ok so it's tough. Why do you do it? (check all that apply)

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* 7. Do you encounter or see signs of racism in your work? Either with coworkers, with parents, or whoever? If yes, tell us about it.

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* 8. Do you think how much money a parent makes affects what kind of childcare their kid gets?

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* 9. What is one thing you think most parents don't realize when they send their kids to daycare?

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* 10. What else haven't we asked that you want us to know about your job?

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* 11. Would you be willing to talk to us more for this story? If you are comfortable, please leave info where we can contact you.