My website and ad make it clear that I have practical experience with children only and when I give parents my resume they can see my background at the interview. Nobody has every asked about any formal education or anything other than to know that my CPR/first aid is up to date.

I was in Scouting/Guiding with my children for 17 years so that's where I get my crafting experience and I worked at a medical lab so that's why I know so much about illnesses and health. But otherwise, I believe my Mom/Grandma experience and common sense approach is just as good as learning how to take care of children in a classroom setting.

Different families want different things though, so those of you with your ECE training definitely attract the opposite kinds of families that would want to interview with me.