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Leslie's Home Daycare |
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Resources for Parents
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*A
Guide to Home Daycare for Parents* From Robin McClure (and seasoned
providers) Childcare at About.com Child
care is a business and providers are professionals; please don't refer them as babysitters. As such, it is reasonable to expect
that care providers will have established rules, hours and pay rates that keep the door open and quality care provided to
all. Parents should be appreciative that a provider takes time to create a handbook, contract, and other details that help
to foster communications and understanding. Providers
have the right to add fees if parents are late picking up children, may charge even if a child is not taken to care on a particular
day (the slot is still being held for this child), and should charge families in advance and not make exceptions. Why? They
often get taken advantage of by families if they don't. Providers are empathetic to the kids in their care and their families;
however, sob stories will not pay their bills. After all, would you work for free? Child
care providers have a "calling" for caring for kids. But, I also like the Child Care Forum's moderator (Symphony) definition
of calling. She says: "I also had a calling. The gas company was calling. The phone company was calling. My mortgage company
was calling. They all wanted to be paid and I needed to make enough to pay them." After all, parents are using care providers
usually because they are working themselves to also collect an income. Do
not expect care providers to do your child's laundry and wash their cups or items. Professional care providers don't have
the time to do loads of laundry or wash dishes--and, would you rather them do housekeeping work or care for your kids? That's
not to say that providers won't sometimes wash soiled clothing, rinse mud off shoes, or wash a sippy cup. But, parents should
realize that a provider is being gracious and is going above what is required. Parents
and providers should be clear on rules surrounding transportation (some providers take kids to the park or library; others
do not for liability reasons), food that is served, discipline approaches taken, and other care issues. Parents and providers
should be comfortable with the provider's rules. If not, they have a choice to go elsewhere, and providers have the choice
not to keep a child. Mi
casa es su casa. The well-known Spanish phrase of "my house is your house" often does not extend to children in care, much
to the chagrin of child care professionals. Parents won't let a child with muddy shoes walk on their carpet, yet the same
parents will bring their child into the home with mud (or worse) on the bottoms of the shoes. Respect of property and a person's
home is important aspect of a successful child care arrangement. The
same parents who seem incensed at a weekly child care rate of $75 or $125 think nothing of spending excessive money on personal
items, clothes, cars, etc.--yet say their child is their most important asset. Parents should certainly consider cost when
making a child care choice. At the same time, they should consider the quality of care and what they are getting for their
money, and not grumble about having to pay for the service they receive. Don't
put a provider in the middle of spouse disagreements, custody battles, or other domestic concerns that don't involve child
care. Providers lament being told, "if my ex comes for my child, don't you dare let my kid leave." Providers act in accordance
with signed agreements of who can and cannot bring/pick up a child, and this is not a day-to-day variance. If there is a court
order, the provider needs to have a copy. But, don't put them in the middle please! Accidents
will happen. It's Rule 101 of the Kid Book. So, why is it that parents will become outraged sometimes when their child gets
scratched, bumps a knee, or even, regretfully, bitten? Providers do their very best to keep kid play safe and positive, and
to have all children be best of friends. But, falls and scrapes do happen. Just like they do at YOUR house. To
the chagrin of many a provider, some parents dictate rules that are hard to abide by (such as absolutely no sweets), only
to see a child handed a cookie as they leave. While parents certainly should have a say over food or certain rules, a provider
must be able to equitably provide meals, snacks and discipline. Obviously, allergies or healthy eating are a given; it's the
inconsistencies that cause pause. Do
you agree with these lists of what providers want parents to know? Why or why not? Do you have other suggestions as well?
Parents, do you have suggestions of your own? Remember--mutual understanding, respect, and clear communications are the key.
Above all, care providers take their jobs seriously, and our children are the ones that are rewarded with proper care and
nurturing. What Your Child Will Learn In A Family Day Care Home Finding Toys Block Play
Dramatic Play Story Time Or Listening To Music Finger Plays Or Songs Dance Climbing/Riding Putting Away Toys |
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