Childcare providers' tribe? - Page 3

[zipworth]

Hi everyone!

I am a home DCP in Halifax, NS. I currently care for an 18 month girl, a nine year old, an 11 year old, and my own two; 1 year old DD and 3.5 year old DS. In March , I will have another one year old! But that is it for me, 6 kids is enough.

I feel so lucky to be doing this job. My background is in big daycare, where I have 3 other adults working with me. It is an adjustment to be alone, for sure! I miss my adult friends, but I know this is best for my children, me and my family. I am very thankful I chose this path.

I am thinking about getting a nice big wagon to transport some of the children. I have a backpack, and a stroller, but I think a wagon would best suit my situation. Does anyone know of a wagon that seats more than two children?

[lesley&grace]

So glad I found this group!

I have my own 7 year old step-son, my 22 month old daughter and a 15 month old boy that I look after. My *plan* was to take in one or two school aged children, but then I got pregnant again over the summer and decided that would be too much on my body.
Prior to having my daughter I worked in large licensed daycare facilities (actually how I met my husband and son) for just over 6 years. When my daughter was born we priced how much it would cost for childcare for both kids, plus transportation...and realized that it was going to cost me about $200 a month to return to work. How nuts is that???? So I put out feelers for children to care for in my home.
I am extremely lucky with the family I am with, they are amazing. As excited as I am to be having another child, I am very sorry that I will not have my little man in my home anymore (I've been trying to convince his mom to get pregnant again so we can be off together, she didn't bite though).

I was reading through some of the posts...
We travel with a Graco Duo Glider, which is big enough for the two of them, but I am still able to get on the bus with it (many of our buses are accessible). Although we haven't done many outings lately since I have been finding it very difficult to carry two heavy toddlers up and down the many many many flights of stairs in my apartment building. My son travels back and forth to school with our neighbour who has a daughter close to his age.

As for sharing, I've yet to meet a todd who wants to share. Right now my daughter gets upset when the door buzzer goes off because she knows it's him. She does not like it when I put him in her high chair for breakfast (rather than dig out the one I have for him), and it seems lately he wants all the toys she is playing with at the moment. I've basically been ignoring the not wanting to share, while also acknowledging that there are certain toys that she is not going to share (like any of her precious Pooh bears or her Kitty). He also naps in the morning, while she has out-grown that nap time, so I make sure I do something one on one with her then.
I am a bit worried though, because over Christmas he is going to be away for just over a week. She has a harder time with his arrival on Mondays, and he was away a few weeks ago for a couple of days and she was very upset when he returned. Hopefully it won't be so bad and the break will endear him to her

Whew, this went longer than I meant. I'm tired, so I am rambling. Looking forward to forum!

Lesley

[lesley&grace]

Originally Posted by momtosimon

I also wanted to ask: I have a 2.5 yr old girl who has recently taken to "disciplining" the other kids. She is tattling, yelling "NO" at them. COrrecting things like taking toys away from someone who took them from another child and returning it to the original kid. I am sure she gets some of this from me, as I am just learning about GD and have not always practiced it. How can I gently get her to stop diong these things besides just modeling the new behavior?

At her age, she is discovering who she is and the effect she has on her world. Take it as a compliment that she is modelling you and do your best to model all the appropriate ways.
You may also want to say to her "That's my job" and redirect her to something else, and deal with the issue at hand. If she is returning toys to a child who has had them taken, I would probably let that one go, unless it is causing a conflict with the child she is "rescuing" from. She seems to have developed a sense of justice!
My daughter has been doing a lot of telling the little guy "no" and I will usually tell her that he's ok, or if he's doing something directly to her I will back her up. And if she does something to him, I will back him up as well.
I think your best bet is to just show her that you are on top of things and that she can get back to her business of play without worrying about the discipline of the other children. Good luck!

[SleepyMamaBear]

ok. so DD came down with a bad case of pink eye Thursday(my day off) night. i was supposed to watch all three day care kids on Friday, but by 11 pm i KNEW DD needed to be isolated from them AND go to the Drs in the morning. so i called the parents and asked them to keep their kids home, or take them to a backup. i didnt want their kids getting sick as well. pinkeye SUCKS, especially the oozing kind.
well now i feel really guilty cause one of the parents might get fired if she misses anymore work.
as an in home care provider i cant forcast when myself or DD will be SO sick/injusred, etc that i cant watch the other kids.
and i know its the parents responsibility to have a back up care provider. and not mine.
but i feel REALLY badly that my kids eye infection might hurt this womans job.
i am thinking of writing up a contract. in it just going over pricing details, my illness rules, for their kids, and my kid/self etc. anyone have a rough sketch of one to maybe follow?

[Yaelita]

Yes, it's definitely a problem when I or one of my kids get sick. Well, we just try to stay healthy
I also feel guilty about cancelling, but if you think about it, parents still have to take time off work or have a back-up babysitter or family member watch the kids even if they get a babysitter who comes to their house. What if that babysitter gets sick or needs to schedule an appointment?

My informal contract doesn't have any provisions for my or the kids' illnesses. Have to think about writing smth up.

[lesley&grace]

This is just one of the many reasons why it is so important to have a contract, including an ill child policy, with your families. You need to have documentation that backs you up...and it protects everyone. Some illnessee, like vomiting for example, may not be too hard on one child, while another child may end up in hospital. I have an extensive written contract with a sick child policy that the family I work with have signed so we all know what is expected.
For me, I have to be pretty sick in order to cancel. But then I rarely get so sick that I can't work. I had to cancel once because my daughter was vomiting, and frankly the mother was happy I did because she knew I was thinking of the little man's health too.
The other beauty part of a contract is that it will weed out families that you probably should not be working with anyway. I had a mom take issue with my vacation policy (two weeks per year at half rate, after that it's full rate...you are not just paying for care when the child is there, you are also guaranteeing that you HAVE a place to put your child), she said a number of times she did not want to pay for vacation. Initially I said that we could discuss it and see what was fair to all...then later she told me she'd be taking a month and half over the summer, basically expecting me to go that long without income and having a spot for her kids when she returned. Yeah...no thanks!
Contracts protect you, they protect your families you work with. You probably would not put your child in a licensed daycare facility that did not provide a clear written explanation of expectations...you would not buy a car without a contract, or a home, or even rent something without one. Our children do not deserve less than that.
Hopping off my soapbox now

[lesley&grace]

Sorry for the double posting, but I thought I would post my Sick Child policy. Feel free to copy it and use it in your own home care.

Sick Child Policy

In the interest of maintaining the health of all involved in the Home Child Care environment, the following policies will be strictly adhered to.
Medications
•All medications must be in their original packaging with the original instructions
•Regarding Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications (including but not limited to Children’s Tylenol): Parent are required to provide the OTC medication. Dosage of OTC medications will be given according to the packaging instructions. In the event that the child’s dosage differs from the packaging instructions it must be stated in a signed note from the child’s physician. In the event that an OTC medication must be administered the parent will be informed by telephone before the dose is given. A signed Medication Form must be complete before OTC medications can be administered.
•Regarding Prescription Medication: Parents are required to provide the original packaging and instructions for all prescription medications. A signed Medication Form must be completed before prescription medications can be administered.
Illness
•In the event that your child becomes ill while in my care, you will be notified as soon as possible
•In the event of vomiting, diarrhea, or temperature exceeding 101degrees, the parent will be required to pick up the child
•The child must be free of symptoms for no less than 24 hours before returning to the care provider’s home.
•In the event of a contagious illness (including but not limited to Strep Infections and Chicken Pox) the child is not permitted to be in the care provider’s home.
•In the event of an illness that requires antibiotics the child must be receiving treatment for no less than 24 hours before returning to the care provider’s home
Emergency Contact
•Parents are required to leave contact information with the care provider
•Parents are required to leave an alternate contact(s) information in the event that the parent(s) cannot be reached. These contact names must also be allowed to retrieve the child from the care provider.

I (We) the undersigned have read and understood the above Sick Child Policy. We will adhere to the conditions stated.


Parent_________________________________ Date____________________


Parent__________________________________ Date____________________


Care Provider____________________________ Date____________________

I also use the following forms for medication:

Medication Form (Over the Counter)

I ____________________ give permission for Lesley Neily to administer the following over the counter medication; __________________________ to my child _________________________ should the need arise. I understand that the dosage will be given according to packaging directions unless otherwise stated by my child’s physician. I also understand that I will be informed if my child requires the medication and that the need to administer such medication may also mean that I will be required to pick up my child from the care provider’s home.

Parent______________________________ Date________________________

Care Provider_______________________ Date_________________________


Medication Form (Prescription)

I ____________________ give permission for Lesley Neily to administer the following prescription medication; __________________________ to my child _________________________ according to the directions given by my child’s physician

Medication:_______________________________________ __
Dose:_____________________________________________ _
Time:_____________________________________________ _
Physician:________________________________________ __


Parent______________________________ Date________________________

Care Provider_______________________ Date_________________________

I also use an outing waiver form, a photo form, I chart any time I give meds, I have a form to sign in the event the child is injured, as well as a permission form in the event I need to take the child for emergency medical care which has the child's health card number, doctor's name and number. It's all about protecting you and the kids!!!

[OhTheThinks.....]

Licensing and Accreditation

Hi all, lets talk licensing and accrediation, any thoughts ??

Are most of you registered or licensed in your state ? What do you think are the benefits to both?

Also have any of you pursued accrediation of any type ?? Which ones.

[jlpumkin]

I currently am on break from FCC. I loved it while I did it, but took ds first year off and finished my degree.

OhTheThinks... When I ran mine I did so as a preschool. I set my own limit at 4 children (though my lic was for 6) and they were all between 2 - 5.

My license was through the military. I think if (when?) I return to FCC I will pursue accred. through NAFCC. Which the military pays for.

OK.. Here's my story in a nutshell. Love the wonderful combination of Caregiving/teaching in FCC BUT I can not stand to be called a BABYSITTER!! I know it's a pride thing but I worked hard at things like curriculum and environment... Anyone? I've considered returning to school for a Masters to teach K... but really I can do what I love at home w/o leaving my wee ones so why bother right?

[lesley&grace]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

OK.. Here's my story in a nutshell. Love the wonderful combination of Caregiving/teaching in FCC BUT I can not stand to be called a BABYSITTER!! I know it's a pride thing but I worked hard at things like curriculum and environment... Anyone?

I hate that term too. I refer to myself as a home childcare provider, because I am a qualified Early Childhood Educator and even though I am doing this out of my home, I am still doing an informal program with the children. I remember I once ran into a parent from the daycare I worked at, he was at the mall with a relative and introduced me as his child's babysitter...I corrected him. It's a pride thing...but also if you do not stand up and take pride in your profession you cannot expect anyone else to.

[memory maker]

also hate being called a babysitter. I am registered but not licensed. I only became registered 1 1/2 yrs ago because a boy that I watch gets state assitance to pay for his childcare and you have to be registered for that. I also like the fact that I get money from the food program since I am registered

[OhTheThinks.....]

I have not heard the "babysitting" comment yet thank goodness.....I don't blame you for beening a little perturbe about that, I would too !!

As for me, I am licensed as I care for children under age 6. I run my school as a school, and started it with that mindset. I implement "school policies". My thought is, just because you are in your home and not a free-standing bldg, so what !

I am looking into accrediation. I have heard of NAFCC, and may look into NAEYC (big bucks) or NAIS. I am a certified teacher and all my parents know this as a school and not daycare.

YEAH that, on really trying to create a great environment and curriculum for learning for the little ones, and too bad your parents weren't respectful of that.

JL Pumpkin - have you considered if/when you reopen your school again, you can also have your little ones in your school !!

[jlpumkin]

For the most part my parents were awesome... it was friends or relatives who used the "B" word. I think the parents saw what we did and respected that.

I would love to present myself as a school. I feel a bit funny about that though, I'm not a certified teacher. I used the word enrichment,,, I guess it's a verbage thing.

[SleepyMamaBear]

went to college for ECE had ONE semester to go. had to move all the way back to oregon from Boston for family reasons, and never went back.

worked two years as a liscensed infant/toddler teacher in a BIG chain childcare center.

not registered or liscensed now.

and i HATE being called a babysitter. i am a child care provider.
i provide care for their children i dont sit on their babies!

[Yaelita]

proud to be called "babysitter"

I guess I am different from the pps in that I don't mind being called a babysitter. I don't generally have babies over a year old (it just happened that way - either I had to give birth and took a leave, and then started caring for a new newborn baby, or the family had to move etc etc)

I do like babies, and I provide them with the care I provided when I used to babysit in the families' homes (before I had my kids). I don't really want to create or school or anything liek that. Just smth I can do while I am home with my baby.

[caricandothis]

hi all! wow, i think i found my tribe!

i care for 1 family/3 children full time and then "on occasion" for a friend of mine with 3 boys also. i have a 3 yr old full time (10 hrs/day, 5 days/week) and then her older siblings (6 and 8 yrs old) after school and when there is no school. i've been watching them for 2 yrs and although it's been extremely challenging, i like it. i'll catch up more tomorrow, it's time for bed for my littles and myself!

[OhTheThinks.....]

yaleita - it sounds like you have proudly taken on the term "babysitter" and defined it on your own terms, that is super.
Now that is thinking out of the box ! Especially if your care for only infants.

[Yaelita]

Originally Posted by OhTheThinks.....

yaleita - it sounds like you have proudly taken on the term "babysitter" and defined it on your own terms, that is super.
Now that is thinking out of the box ! Especially if your care for only infants.

thanks! I like the word Nanny too (sounds quaint and European and evocative of Mary Poppins), it's just that in NY we are called babysitters
Even though I have a degree in education, it was never my ambition to teach. So, taking care of infants feels just right, whatever term you use for it.

On another note, I have bought a new triple stroller online (great site - BabyAge.com) - Inglesina Trio Domino. Arrived last night. I have now assembled it, so I am off for a test drive.

[Yaelita]

Welcome, Caricandothis!

Welcome, and please share your experiences with us!

[Fieryfly]

I provide schoolage home daycare(I call it "kidcare"). I homeschool my two kids, so I close from 8am-3pm M-F during the school year. I am open full time during school vacations, holidays and summer break. My daycare spaces are customized for the schoolage group, and so is our daily routine & schedule(no naps or diaper changing!).

I am pretty flexible for the families who are willing to work WITH me, providing evening and weekend care. I've gotten stricter over the years(beginning my 4th year next month) and we are all happier nowadays.

Also, I've BTDT on caring for family and friend's kids(I try to stay far away from those arrangments) because its so hard for me to establish boundaries and be assertive. I will only agree when I know I can keep our business relationship separate from our family/friend relationship. I am also very clear where I am giving them the "friend discount"(lower fees, free hours, etc) while expecting them to still follow the same rules & policies as all the other families.

Nice to see there are more providers on MDC. I also belong to another online community for daycare providers, so PM me if you'd like the link.