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Daddy Daycare

A Father's Journey Caring for Kids

By Michael Sheridan

Although he had worked at a preschool for more than a decade, he had to start over when he opened. And once he got past the initial reaction some had to his being a man, things got easier. "There are a lot of single mothers today, and as a result those children are not getting a lot of male influence since they are mostly with their mom at home," Cook says. "Here children get positive male interaction, and I think that's a good thing. The children get care and love from both sides, men and women."

Along with developing the curriculum and handling the day-to-day details of the daycare center, Cook also carefully hires care providers who work at the center. It is here he offers a cautious note for those looking to start their own daycare centers. "Be careful of who you bring in, and that the staff you do bring in sticks to your philosophy and they follow through with them and complete them," Cook says, adding that you should always perform background checks.

"Do not to be afraid to do it," says Cook when asked what he would tell other men and fathers who are looking to start their own daycare center. "Don't be afraid of the stereotypes. Just go ahead and do what you think you should do. It's in no way a job that is just for a male or just for a female. In this world children need as much positive male influence as possible."

Want to see more?

• Preschool/Daycare Checklist
• The Modern-day Daycare: Meeting the Needs of Moms and Babies
• 4 Steps to Finding the Right Childcare
• Talk about it!