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From: pc@hplabsb.UUCP (Patricia Collins)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.politics,net.kids,net.social
Subject: Re: Kids suffer in Shangri La
Message-ID: <2234@hplabsb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Apr-84 16:49:59 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabsb.2234
Posted: Mon Apr 23 16:49:59 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 26-Apr-84 01:03:37 EST
References: <1027@qubix.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
Lines: 34

Editor
San Jose Mercury News
750 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, CA  95190

Dear Editor:

	In a recent letter from Jo Kearley, professional child care was
maligned.

	While it is possible to find day care facilities with inadequate
care, it is also possible to find homes where children are mistreated.
Few parents are knowledgeable about early childhood development.
Children of one or two years old are often placed in front of TVs for 
hours at a time.  Homebound children remain indoors while the parent 
attends to household chores.  

	Community child care can be a rich experience even for very young 
children.  My one-year-old son attends a small center where he is
cared for by people professionally trained in early childhood education.
The careproviders follow a well-defined philosophy of loving care and guidance
to help these toddlers develop as competent, confident children.
My son is supervised as he plays outdoors in a safe, stimulating  environment 
with other young children.  Each day, when I pick up my baby, the careproviders 
tell me about his day.  Weekends are opportunities for family sharing: hikes,
visits to playgrounds, and household activities.

	It is not professional child care which should be berated.  Parents
who do not ensure that their children receive good care are not fulfilling
their commitment.

						Patricia Collins
						Mountain View