Hackett: Celebrating at-home childcare providers
By Kelley Hackett | May 7, 2021 
Local early childhood educators who offer home-based care in a 2018 file photo. Left to right: Kelley Hackett (Waterbury), Amanda Isham (Duxbury), Abby Fish (Waterbury), Leticia Long (Barre), Alexandria Whitcomb (Barre City), Ashlee Milia (Waterbury), Jennifer Bombard (Duxbury) and Jeannie Randall (Moretown). Courtesy photo.
As a home-based childcare provider for 13 years, and a Vermont Early Childhood Network leader for 12 years, I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful group of childcare providers participating in the Waterbury Area Network. I would like to take a moment to celebrate these heroes and recognize their commitment to children and families.
This past year has been incredibly stressful for all. Some providers stayed open during the shut down for essential workers, quickly adapting to new safety protocols. Other providers closed, but offered remote learning with weekly activities, supply bags, and video story times. Some providers closed taking significant financial cuts, in order to meet the needs of their own families struggling with the implications of the statewide closure.
As a home childcare provider, it can be incredibly isolating. Having a network such as the Vermont Early Childhood Network has allowed early educators to connect, share, and learn from one another. I know the work I do with children and families has been easier knowing that I have a professional support system and team to support healthy children and families.
Early childhood home providers wake up each morning never knowing how the day is going to unfold. It could be a day of building and constructing, art activities, cooking, music and movement, or a day filled with tears and big emotions. Home providers invite each child and their family into their homes and lives. Children become an extension of the provider’s family as they sit at our table for meals, snuggle in with us on the couch or chair, and share rich stories about home and school with all household members.
Home childcare programs have a unique setting as children are overlapping with multiple-aged children. Young children may be kicking a ball with a middle schooler, or getting a story read to them. Older siblings may be holding an infant and singing a lullaby. Children of all ages are learning to nurture and care for each other. I would like to thank the many families that we serve for their flexibility and ongoing support they provide along the way! It truly takes a village to raise humans especially during a pandemic!
For the past 25 years, the Vermont Early Childhood Network of Washington County has held a special annual ceremony called Provider Recognition Night. The last event was held in May 2019 with more than 100 early childhood educators participating. The event included a catered dinner, dessert, raffle, door prizes, and gifts for every provider in attendance. Sadly, due to the pandemic, the event has been cancelled again this year. Please take a moment to recognize the hard work of your child’s early educator. They put their heart and soul into the work they do everyday!
In addition to myself, the following providers are members of the Waterbury Vermont Early Childhood Network Group: Abby Fish, Amanda Isham, Alexandria Whitcomb, Ashlee Milia, Jeannie Randall, Jennifer Bombard and Leticia Long. If you would like to become a member please reach out.
Kelley Hackett is a home-based childcare provider in Waterbury Center.