It will be sad to see the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes close at the end of the month. The council has been in operation for more than 20 years. The primary function of the council is to provide training to child care providers as well as licensing for new providers, a popular and much needed profession.

But speaking with members of the council last week, I was surprised to learn about all of the rigmarole that home-based day-care providers have to go through. And the rules are strict. We're talking number of paper towels on the roll kind of strict. It's intimidating.

Did you know that day-care providers have to wear gloves when changing a diaper? Did you know that a home day-care provider is not allowed to deny a child a second helping of a meal or snack? That means day care providers have to make enough food for double the amount of kids. And if the food is not consumed, it must be discarded.

New York state child day care regulations also mandate that all rooms be kept at least 68 degrees. And garbage cans can't be kept in any room that is accessible to children. Can you imagine having no garbage can in the kitchen or bathroom?

I spoke with a woman who had to drain her pool the night before, thousands of gallons of water. Another day-care provider had to install a garage door and had to have all of the windows redone to comply with code. A reasonable request except she was given a whopping 24 hours notice.

I can't help but think about my childhood. I don't think any of our windows were 32 inches off the ground, or fitted with protective glass and locking barriers. How on earth did I make it this far?

Then I think about the “Octamom” or “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” These poor children thrust into the spotlight, solely for entertainment value. I think about poor Imani Jennings and other neglected children who live every day in horrible conditions while some poor day care provider is fighting to find a new home for all of the house plants (as most are forbidden for health and safety reasons).

I think about all of these things and I can only conclude that there must be a tremendous amount of goodness in a person who would subject themselves to constant surveillance and stringent guidelines for the love of someone else's child. Child Care Solutions in Syracuse is going to inherit some really great people, that's for sure. I wish the council and the providers I spoke with all the best in the future.

I have certainly gained a new respect for day care providers.

Estabrook's column appears

Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com