Childcare is essential, it’s been said and advocated for.

Childcare is essential for working parents and the economy. But most importantly high-quality childcare is essential for a child’s development. So much brain development happens in those early years, yet it’s often forgotten that even infants are learning in every part of their days.

There can be a stigma about childcare and babies, that there isn’t much learning happening and they are just playing. Well, they are playing. They are playing, exploring, creating, and discovering. Through play, infants are learning about the world around them, how things work and about themselves and others.

To me, the most important thing about being an infant room teacher is the relationships that we build and the nurturing that we give.

I have worked in an infant room for almost 10 years here in Addison County and it is truly the most rewarding job. Meeting new parents for the first time, hearing about their baby and their family, being with them for that first year of life, to be frank, it’s raw and special. That first year can be hard, being a mother myself, parenting can feel overwhelming sometimes. My co-teacher and I strive to create a welcoming and calm environment where families feel comfortable. Comfortable enough to share about things in parenting that are feeling a lot to them or even just stories about themselves previous to having children, about their jobs, their childhood.

All those moments and conversations are what builds such a strong relationship and will 100% in turn benefit their child. I can’t say enough how important creating relationships with the parents of the little ones you care for is. I still keep in touch and see my first ever group of families, who’s babies are now in 5th grade! That itself is something that makes this job so incredible.

I get to watch the babies in my care make huge connections every day. Observing them explore their environment with all their senses and interact with materials is magical. Watching them figure out something after working so hard makes me so proud of them, and knowing I get to be a part of that is such an amazing feeling.

The connections whether that be with children and their families or the connection they are making with materials they explore are so important at this age. It’s all about connection and it’s something I truly enjoy about my position as an infant room teacher. Connecting and communicating with people is such an important part of life and learning, especially in those early years!