Daycare centers want parents to believe that their children will be surrounded by love and warmth while in their charge. But some of the big commercial chains are planting the seeds of Critical Race Theory into their little noggins.

I’m not accusing every daycare center in this country of being a part of this. In fact, parents can find superlative care for their kids that parochial schools, houses of worship, and private homes offer. Plus, states have been particularly attentive to screening out subpar sites and caregivers over the past few years.

But beware those national chains with pretentious names such as “Crème de la Crème” (yes, there are such places).

Oh, they are no doubt clean sites with caring teachers and engaging curriculum. And when both parents must work it’s a relief to know that their kids are safe. But some of these centers may be indoctrinating kids with CRT during the day.

Take, for instance, KinderCare, with headquarters in . . . you guessed it . . . Portland. With 1500 locations throughout the United States, KinderCare has lots of opportunity to push CRT on the smallest of children.

Oh, their website assures parents that “your child belongs in our circle.” So KinderCare promises that their little crumb crunchers will “grow up to be happy, show kindness to others, and make the world a better place.” Sounds warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want their child to be happy and kind to others?

But they do this by using “culturally responsive teaching” to promote “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” at their daycare centers.

If the words “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” set off your Spidey sense, then you probably know that DEI is a euphemism for CRT — Critical Race Theory. The KinderCare website explains DEI to unsuspecting parents this way:

“And everything they do—from reading books and making art to even having lunch—can be experienced through an inclusive lens.”

So even those these teachers aren’t reading White Fragility to preschoolers sitting on a rug at Circle Time, they’re sneaking CRT into the day with help from the “Inclusion Services Team:”

• Using classroom materials that reflect diverse identities. 
• Creating accessible and equitable spaces, made possible with the support of our Inclusion Services team. 
• Educating children to help them recognize and speak out against unfairness, injustice, and prejudice.

As for holidays — well, KinderCare appears to avoid Thanksgiving, but they do celebrate November as Native American Heritage Month. They celebrate Gay Pride Month in June, too.

Tim Evanson/flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0. 

KinderCare daycare centers also encourage parents to incorporate DEI at home. Even babies get in on the act!

Following are some of the tips at the website, starting with babies and toddlers:

“Read books that show different cultures, identities, and characters than those in your own home, tune the radio to new music genres, and share little tastes of food with a wide variety of flavors from different cuisines.”

That’s pretty harmless, but seriously — what would a two-year-old learn if you fed him pierogis and sauerkraut? (Which I love, by the way — my mother cooked them. But she didn’t make me eat them when I was little, even though they were part of her childhood.)

For preschoolers, KinderCare suggests parents do this:

“Point out stereotypes and biases when you see them in media and books (for example, who is and isn’t represented in roles like doctors, lawyers, firefighters, villains, and heroes).”

Can’t parents just read inspiring books about people who accomplish great things, no matter their color, nationality, or gender? Why is everything negative with these people?

Finally, KinderCare suggests this homework for parents of school age kids:

“Educating children to help them recognize and speak out against unfairness, injustice, and prejudice.”

Gotta teach kids early how to shame others and become budding Social Justice Warriors, right?

But KinderCare isn’t the only daycare chain to proselytize CRT to children. In June, 2020, the non-profit Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) jumped on the George Floyd bandwagon by stating that “the nation’s largest child care providers have committed to formally incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into their programs.”

Diversity, equity, and inclusion — sound familiar?

CEOs, presidents, chairmen, and other big wigs representing seventeen national daycare chains signed the ECEC’s letter promising to “create a truly inclusive environment for our children, families and communities—and take a stand for equity for all.” Topping the list is KinderCare, but there are other names you may have heard of, such as New Horizon Academy, Kaplan Early Learning Company, and The Goddard School. If you’re curious, the full list is here.

So if you or someone you know is looking for a daycare center for their little ones, the words caveat emptor apply. Because Critical Race Theory — dressed up as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — is not just for public schools or universities anymore. Its promoters also want to indoctrinate the smallest of children.

Featured image: Seattle Parks and Recreation/flickr/cropped/CC BY 2.0.