I'm a full-time college student and divorced mom of 2, and for 2 months last summer, and for 6 months from last fall to this spring, I worked at daycare centers, and I can say in all honesty, that it was like working on the seventh level of Dante's Inferno. Between the spoiled, incorrigible children, the clueless parents with an inflated sense of entitlement, the greedy daycare owners, combined with the lousy pay and coming home smelling of dirty diapers, I could not take it anymore, and got out. The last center I worked at, the owner would not even close or let us leave early due to bad weather such as 8 inches of snow or an ice storm. We were expected to risk life, limb, and vehicle for $8 an hour.

Before I returned to college, I had my two children in daycare because I had to work full-time, and while I knew that daycare providers had a tough job, I had no idea how hard it was until I was on the other side, and I hope I was never as obnoxious as some of the parents I've had to deal with (although I'm embarrassed to say that I probably was). I give mad props to anyone who does that kind of work, because I just don't have the stomach for it. Daycare workers should be making at least $15 an hour, rather than a shade above minimum wage.

day care owners cant afford to pay more than $8 an hour. so if someone does not enjoy working in a day care - they should getr another job

I'm a daycare worker who makes $7.75 an hour while my bosses buy a new bmw every month. I'm a single mother of a 10 month old daughter and a lot of my co-workers are mothers too. Employees still have to pay for their child care, which I think is ridiculous. They charge $206 per week and if I didn't have help paying from the state I couldn't afford to work. We don't get raises because they say they can't afford it. Daycare workers are some of the hardest working people, and no one can do it for the money, your heart has to be in it or you wont last. Like the article says, everyday you come home exhausted and every payday you realize you don't make enough money for how hard you work.

Number 1 is childcare is NOT just baby sitting anymore. You can expect to get paid without having a background in education. These our future children we need to take care of them not complain about them. If you don't like getting paid $7.75 then go back to school and find a great childcare to work at not a so-so one. But all children need quality child care not just people that can afford it. Your heart has to be truly into teaching young children, not just babysitting them. The best jobs make you happy not just fill your wallet. I'd rather by happy than rich any day!!

I agree, childcare is not just babysitting - if it ever was - but I don't agree that an education makes it all better. Some of the most ignorant people I've ever met (in regards to children) have had bachelor's, if not master's degrees, in early childhood education. All the book learning in the world will not make a kid person out of someone who just doesn't "get" kids. I myself love kids and do "get" them; I've spent nearly half my life taking care of other people's kids, from babysitting (and I wasn't "just" a babysitter, I played, tutored, and engaged the kids I worked with. I didn't just park them in front of a video) and working 2 years in what I've come to acknowledge as a pretty good daycare. I worked w/ preschoolers - 3-5 year olds. the center was far from perfect, but it was well funded. We had the opportunity to learn modules on child development which was a good thing, since we were not required to be certified or have degrees. Experience should count for a great deal; education is not everything. I would go back to this job I loved, but cannot - I make more now and the centers here, even the worst ones, w/o hope of a naeyc accreditation require at least an associates and prefer a bachelor's in education. It would cost more to get paid less.

All of us would prefer to be happy. It's not about being rich; it's about paying the bills. When I have children of my own, I'm staying home with them, either w/o pay, or working from home - this will probably require some sacrifices, but my husband and I are ok with that. I'm not knocking daycare - there are some fabulous places out there. I know some truly wonderful women who love the daycares where their children spend their days - they say they'd go crazy if they were around their kids 24-7. I'm glad they have a situation that works for them. Personally, I've spent too long taking care of other people's children - who I know I've grown to love and care for - to pass on the opportunity to spend as much time as possible raising and shaping my own.

May we all be happy

Don't say something without the facts, I'm getting my associates degree in early childhood development this fall, if the rest of my courses goes as planned. It's the kids that keep me where I'm at, after working there for 3 years you get attached.