I'm a home day-care provider—the person who opens my home and family to other people's children for 20 to 50 hours a week while they are at work. I provide food, toys, activities, companionship and encouragement to the young-. sters in their parents' absence. I know from the smiles on the little ones' faces that they enjoy themselves while in my care, and they've come to expect me to he kind and helpful. However, I'm not always sure what their parents expect from me. I try hard to be professional. I'm accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care, and I attend seminars on everything from safety and nutrition to planning kids' crafts and summer activities. I encourage the children's efforts, no matter how small. I help junior to help himself, to take responsibility for his belongings, to learn counting and the alphabet, to feed himself and to share. In return, I am offered a small hand as we cross the street. I'm asked to tie a shoe, dress a doll or examine an invisible wound. We share a laugh, a story... a childhood.
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