Early child care

Regarding “Risky ratios” editorial (Page A16, Friday), as an early childhood educator, I appreciate the importance of the lowest possible child-to-teacher ratios and also realize that low numbers come with higher childcare prices.

But the idea that a single teacher can provide any kind of real childcare for 11 two-year-olds is ridiculous. Each of those children will need one, maybe two, diaper changes and a snack before lunch, which the children will need some assistance in setting up and eating. Then they’ll have to be cleaned up, put down for a nap, have another snack and one or two diaper changes before they go home. That involves at least 22 diaper changes and the requisite hand washings a day.

This teacher has almost no time for positive personal social interaction with these children; in fact, the children will be expected to be far more cooperative than your average two-year-old. Those who can’t conform will be labeled early as uncooperative or bad. Some will be expelled, a practice far more common in preschools than later grades. Often as a deterrent to child abuse, two classes will be combined so that there are 22 children and two teachers. Both scenarios are essentially warehousing children.

Several years ago, the state doubled the number of teacher-training hours required for a licensed childcare facility. Each teacher now needs 24 annual training hours. Quality training costs money. The state did nothing to supplement these costs.

Texas must do better for its children. Reducing class sizes in licensed childcare facilities would be a small step in that direction.

Margaret Sweeney, Houston