Area preschools strive to meet higher standards for quality care

A recent study by the Economic Policy Institute found that about 30 percent of preschool teachers nationally don't have a high school diploma. Also, the number of preschool teachers that have bachelor's degrees has decreased from 43 percent in 1985 to 30 percent in 2004.

Studies have shown the importance of early childhood education over the years, though preschool teachers get significantly less money than other teaching professionals -- generally about $6 per hour.

Area preschools are trying to overcome these national statistics and continue to give the families in their child-care centers quality care.

Nicole Landewee, director of Kiddie Kountry in Scott City, has her bachelor's degree, and all of her staff members have their high school diplomas. She also requires that her staff members meet and exceed the required number of clock training hours per year (as deemed by state licensing).

"Once my staff go to all of the training and workshops that are required each year, they are well-trained to be a preschool teacher," said Landewee.

Christina Gonzales, director at A Step at a Time preschool in Cape Girardeau, agrees with this.

"Once a teacher attends workshops, gets their CDA [child development associate] license or some college hours, and especially if the center is in the accreditation process, then a teacher is going to be very well trained."

All of the full-time staff members at Gonzales' center have high school diplomas. One has a bachelor's degree, one has an associate's degree and the rest all have their CDA licenses and may be in the process of obtaining a degree.

A CDA license is extensive training in preschool education. The teacher must make a professional resource file, be observed in the classroom by an adviser, then have the Council for Professional Recognition conduct an oral interview, give a test and check the resource file.

After all of this, if the teacher receives the credential, then it will be valid for three years before having to renew. After that, it will be valid for five years.

Many centers are in the accreditation process. This process is above and beyond state licensing rules. It shows the community that the center is striving to have better teachers, better practices and a more thorough knowledge of early childhood.

Amanda Driskill, preschool teacher at Care a Lot Learning Center in Kelso, is not a teacher for the money.

"I love what I do as a teacher. I like to teach the kids new things and see the excitement on their faces when they achieve something," she said.

All of the staff members at Care a Lot have high school diplomas. Of the teachers, 50 percent have their CDA licenses, and almost 70 percent have some college as well. They are also in the process of obtaining accreditation.

One of the perks at Care a Lot is that teachers receive free child care.

"I can bring my child to school for free, know that she is well taken care of and get to see her throughout the day as well," said Debbie Bertrand, teacher at Care a Lot. "That means a lot to me and really helps the money situation. I would have to make a whole lot more at another job to be able to just pay for child care."

Gonzales also offers incentives to her teachers to help make up for the lower pay in this field.

"We give extra days off and give bonuses after a teacher has been with us for so long."

The TEACH Scholarship is a program that allows preschool teachers to go to college to obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree. It pays for around 80 percent of tuition a semester (for three semesters). The program is also trying to get teachers to stay with their center by offering a bonus at the end of the semesters to those teachers that stay at least six months to a year afterward.

A directors group is meeting in the area to talk about some of the problems that may affect all of the centers. They are trying to come up with ways to keep their staff qualified and be able to continue to pay preschool teachers what they deserve.

"Because after all," said Driskill "our job is one of the most important jobs ever: taking care of and loving young children, helping to mold them into what they will become later in life."

Jenny Jenkins of Sikeston, Mo., is the director at Care a Lot Learning Center in Kelso, Mo.