There has definitely been a shift in ideals. I notice many providers setting up using livingroom/diningroom complete with regular furniture and as you say just enough toys to give the kids something to do. But they draw people in with the "natural light" instead of kids being stuck in a "dark, cold, damp" basement all day. My basement is not dark, or damp and we play there but sleep, eat. arrive/depart on main level and have the whole diningroom as an upstairs playroom for those times but still that is not enough for some that I have interviewed.

I think too I interview for infants and they realize they will only be with me for a year or so before they go on another mat leave and so the actual teaching that will need to take place is minimal as compared to the days of kids in care at least half a day till they were 6.

I still hold onto the teaching as much as I can but know that it does not require any special training to do the age level of care I provide. As a result I keep my rates in the mid range even with my training.