When did the first daycare start?

Does working at a daycare NOT want you to be a teacher?

• I've wanted to be an elementary school teacher for as long as I can remember. I had such a positive experience throughout elementary school, and I want to give that same feeling to other students. Every time I step foot in an elementary school, I get this warm fuzzy feeling (which I know sounds corny). However, I currently work in a daycare not far from my house. This is the second daycare I have worked at (I've been in daycare a little over 3 years total). I was hired as a lead teacher at the place I work now, and for about the first 10 months I absolutely loved it. I have been the lead 2 year old teacher and now I'm the lead 3 yr old teacher. After my 10 month mark, things started to change. I started dreading going to work, watching the clock constantly while at work, and coming home in a bad mood. I've now been there for a year and half. I'm 23yrs old and married with my first baby on the way (girl due in Sept!). I always figured that being a teacher would be best for me and my family because of all the holidays I'd have off and having some of the summer off. Plus, I've always had a passion for teaching but working at this daycare and the other daycare has led me to realize that maybe teaching isn't best for me. I've already changed my college major to Accounting which I enjoy learning so far, but I still want to be a teacher. I used to sub in public elementary schools prior to getting the job I'm at now, and I really liked it. I been in public elementary schools a lot because of college, so I get a glimpse of what it's like. However, daycare is just so hard. I don't get any planning time, I have to do all my work at home, and when I try and teach what I planned, none of the students listen. I'm constantly getting hit, bit, spit at, and screamed at. I'm not getting through to the kids, and I've even caught myself coming close to spanking a child. The administration doesn't help much because they're tired of me complaning about the kids. All they care about is getting the money from the parents. I know daycare and elementary school are two whole different worlds, but it doesn't seem like it would be much different. I'm definitely not happy where I'm at now, but I'm not sure if changing my major to accounting is what's best for me. I still want to be a teacher, and with the start of school just a few weeks away, it saddens me to see all the school supplies out in the stores. Has anyone ever had this problem? Did or Does working at a daycare make you not want to be a teacher afterall?

• Answer:

  I think day cares work different then Elementary school. It could be the age group that you're with. Yes you liked it at first but after a while the same routine has become long and boring. With older children you can change up the activities and the subjects are more wide spread. If that makes any sense. That is why I am going for the middle school age students. They can handle bigger projects and have a wide learning variety. When I was volunteering at a day care (for a class I was taking) I felt more like a babysitter. I hope everything works out for you and find what you're looking for.