The 1st Buddings Birthday
In commemoration of his 31st year on this Earth, our blog post today is an interview with our favourite Mr. Fix-It, educator par excellence, and man about town… or at least around here: Lawrence Erickson!
We caught up with Lawrence while he did his daily chores to ask him the top 5 questions we know you want answered. Read on!
1. The childcare industry is a traditionally female-dominated one. What does it mean to you to be a man in the Early Childhood Education field?
I think it’s very important to have a good understanding of how kids learn and develop. The people who devote their days to kids, and to helping them become healthy, well-adjusted people should have that knowledge. It seems to be the going belief that men are incapable of that, but it’s not true. I want to show that, and to provide a good role model for the boys in our daycare.
2. What’s the most important thing you think you can you bring to the field?
An open mind. A willingness to experiment, and the desire to… make it work. If kids want to try something, I want to see it happen. I’m open to whatever they want to do.
3. What brought you here?
My wife. (laughs) My whole life brought me here. Doing my ECE was beneficial to me in so many ways. For my son, for myself, my life. It was the right thing to do.
4. Why open an Occasional Care centre?
We saw a need. As a business decision, it seemed to make sense. There’s a real need for flexible care, and there’s no one else doing it.
5. How do you think it’s going so far? (Officially licensed for 2 glorious weeks…)
Seems to be going well. Parents are impressed when they come in here. They keep saying that we’ve created something they don’t find anywhere else. Kids feel right at home, they come in and start playing. I think we’ve realized our goals for the space.
