Counting the stars
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Home-based child-care provider Karen Jones kisses one of her client’s children, 21-month-old Lindsey Oxton, as Jones prepares
lunch for the children at her home in Owasso.
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By GINNIE GRAHAM and CURTIS KILLMAN
9/4/2007
Last Modified: 9/4/2007 1:45 AM
Visit the series Web site for A Question of Care: an investigation of the state’s day-care system
Going beyond the gut feeling
Records come with red tape
Children at risk
Many providers are spread too thin
Oklahoma's troubled child-care facilities
They dare to care
Star ratings have pros, cons
Owasso provider goes beyond basic care
The children color pictures of the
character Diego around a table in
the
playroom.
They sing and bop their heads with the
songs playing on a television placed high in
the room. They are focused on their tasks
and work at their own pace.
"Look, it's Diego," said 3-year-old
Troy Williamson, as he shows off
his artwork. "We saw him last
week. Now we are coloring him. It
was fun."
After finishing his picture, 2-year-old Connor Rebitzke breaks out in a
dance, singing all the words to "Go, Diego,
Go!"
"In the summertime, we have more play,
fun time and field trips," said Karen Jones,
the provider in the Owasso child-care
home.
About four of the seven children cared
for by Jones have been with her since they
were babies.
Jones has been working in child care for
26 years and is the president of the Owasso
Child Care Association, which brings in
training for area providers. She has not
been cited for a violation in her last three
inspections, and no complaints are in
her case file.
"When I first started in child care,
we did not plan with lessons in
mind," Jones said. "It was all about
making sure children were safe, taken care of and loved. Now, we are all
geared to learning and getting them ready
for school using everything from music to
science."
She has chosen to stay at the one-star rating, but her home goes above basic requirements to get a child-care license. She
rarely has a slot open, staying at capacity.
"Kids need structure, love, caring, nurturing and stability," Jones said. "When
you see children bounced from center to
center or home to home, they don't make a
bond. And that bond matters later on.
"I tell parents that I want this to last.
Their children will be more confident,
learn more and do better in school."
The day -- The schedule begins with
breakfast, followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance. Jones plans activities
and offers toys with different goals
in mind.
Children think they are simply
playing. But they are actually using
creativity with blocks, fine motor
skills in coloring and social interaction in a toy kitchen.
Her discipline consists of timeouts, which is different for each
child. For some, standing in a corner works. But others may do better sitting in a chair or a specific
section of the room.
After the timeouts, the children
are asked about what landed them
in trouble. Jones talks to them in a
slow, steady voice about how to react next time.
There is no crying heard in the
home. There are no power struggles. There are no toys out of place,
dishes in the sink or visible trash.
There are lots of hugs.
"I knew this was made for me
and what I wanted to do," Jones
said. "I love my kids and would
honestly prefer to be with them
over adults. They grow up so fast."
Jones is known for encouraging
good behavior by taking the children on field trips. Before they
leave, each child is asked about
how he or she is expected to act
and the consequences of acting up.
"That's how they learn," Jones
said. "You have to take them out
and teach them how to behave in
public. I never have problems, and
people always seem amazed. They
know the expectations, and they
get rewarded. We always have
fun."
Star power -- Jones opts not to
participate in the state's star-rating
program because the incentive --
higher subsidy payments for low-income children -- is not enough
of an enticement.
She once accepted subsidy payments, but problems came up as
parents forgot their reimbursement cards or the machines to register the cards did not work.
She also is not interested in pursuing higher education, which is
part of reaching higher ratings.
"Private pay does pay better,"
she says. "And for me, I'm older
and I don't want to go back to
school. I want to do what I'm doing
now."
Jones is not against professional
development.
As head of her local child-care association, she arranges a variety of
training. The Child Care Resource
Center of Tulsa works with Jones
to find resources for providers.
"Through training, you realize
their little brains need stimulation,"
Jones said. "Their brains are like
sponges, and they like repetition
and structure."
Jones welcomes the scrutiny by
state officials to weed out problematic caregivers.
"It's getting harder over the
years because you have people
who should not be doing child care
and children get hurt," Jones said.
"That makes it harder on us, who
are people doing a good job."
Recent changes in the child-care
licensing policies have some providers worried, particularly a requirement to post complaints on
the front door and a copy of the last
inspection report, Jones said.
The fear is that parents will react
or make a judgment without talking with the provider or waiting until the end of the investigation,
Jones said.
"I say that if you are doing things
like you are supposed to, then you
won't have anything to worry
about," Jones said.
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com
Curtis Killman 581-8471
curtis.killman@tulsaworld.com
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Jeff, (9/4/2007 8:20:48 AM)
My child is in a 3 star facility and they have done wonderful things for her. I don't think I would ever place her in something that wasn't at least 2 stars.
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This is my children's babysitter, and she is wonderful. We are truly blessed to have her in their lives.
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Amy, Tulsa (9/4/2007 2:22:14 PM)
I wonder how long ago it was that Mr. Hendrick went out to honestly look for child care...maybe he would benefit jumping on board when the time comes to find care for his grandchildren. Even though I have close friends working in child care licensing who warned me the “Star” system meant nothing, I was still set on a 3 star facility for my little pride and joy. Just after she was born, I began the 10 week pilgrimage to locate the safest most loving caregiver in Tulsa. I printed off a list of every 3 star in Tulsa and started visiting. I was quite disappointed to find several facilities/homes that I wasn't interested in seeing more that the front drive. Many I wouldn't even get out of the car to tour. The violation histories significant enough to cause serious concern floored me. The home I was lucky to find is a 1 star who came with rave reviews and who can't afford to spend the money or take the time off to earn a higher rating. My children run into her home everyday laughing and calling her name occasionally remembering to look back to blow me a kiss. You can’t manipulate an attachment that strong. It is unfortunate there are not more providers like her…she is always full and has missed only 1 day over the last 42 months I have used her. I’ll gladly pay her the $27 a day per child she charges and give her a Christmas bonus! She is a blessing, college degree or not.
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What a refreshing story to begin my day at the Senior Retirement Center!! Just knowing this wonderful lady is caring and nourshing these little ones blessed me so very much. We, the world, need more people like Karen Jones. We would see more children growing up to responsible adults and perhaps become a world leader some day. No more violence by slapping a little one or taping a little mouth shut. Bless you, Karen Jones, and thank you Tulsa World for a wonderful story.
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When my children were young we were very lucky to find Crosstown Daycare. Located in an old church, it was a diamond in the rough. yes, the facilities were old, but they were clean and bright, and the staff were incredible. They ran an enriching program, and the staff had the experience and training to understand the developing brain. The very few problems we had were resolved with care, understanding, and communication. I wish everyone could find the same situation!
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missy, okc (9/10/2007 8:52:55 AM)
Please, parents, DO NOT BE FOOLED by the star rating system. It is simply another state mandated system that has zero effect on the quality of care your child will receive. I have seen wonderful three star centers and I have seen three star centers I wouldn't leave my dog in. No rating system is better than a parents...show up unannounced, look up the center's reports (though I would trust those about as much as I'd trust the star system)and if you think something is wrong, it probably is!
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