If One More Person Calls Me A BABYSITTER...

[pixsydust]

I'm going to freak out on them!!! I am so sick of people referring to me as a babysitter. If I were just a babysitter your child would not be counting to 10, or recognizing colors, shapes, etc. I don't know what it is with people/parents thinking daycare is just babysitting, but I'm really tired of it.

[MarinaVanessa]

I don't kmow why but it bothers me too . Although it doesn't bother me to the point of irritation, just to the point where I smile and roll my eyes a little. They always ask what's wrong and then I get the opportunity to explain a few things to them and then they understand . But yes, it bothers me.

[B Lou]

When people ask me how long I've been babysitting or if I have any opening for babysitting. I tell them I am not a babysitter. I am a professonal daycare provider. If they are looking for a babysitter I can give them my daughters number. She is great with kids and loves to be with them. As for myself I DO NOT BABYSIT. I work to hard and train to many hours to be considered a babysitter. I quit babysitter when I was a teenagers. And believe me that was a vry long time ago. .

[themoorethemerrier]

I'm not even licensed yet and I inwardly cringe at it. It makes me feel like a teenager again...

[Solandia]

I don't mind babysitter. My daycare parents love me, I love their kids...I am the sitter, and that is fine with me. They learn their letters, numbers, colors, etc...But mostly we learn compassion, taking turns, being helpful, and loving our Earth.

I call myself a daycare, but I have been getting away from that. Around here, parents think daycare=preschool these days. I AM NOT and NEVER will be like those preschools/daycares in my area. I do not sit kids down to memorize things to impressed their parents or force them to learn to write their name at 2.5yo.

My last parent who tried to manage my daycare into being a preschool was terminated. I am not putting Teach Your Baby to Read into my dvd player, and NO, you cannot bring your 18mo his flashcards that he "loves" to go through. Oh, and the "helpful" suggestions on worksheets, and activities to learn the ABCs are not going to be incorporated either.

I guess mom missed the child-led learning philosophy I incorporate. With lots of free play OUTSIDE, for all my super active, crazy boys. Amazingly enough, I only have had a few daycare kids (out of dozens) not be able to read before Kindie. Not a worksheet, or directed craft activity in sight.

Please, just let me be the 'babysitter'!

[laundrymom]

I am not a babysitter. I am a small business owner. I pay taxes, attend trainings and am a professional in my field. In my opinion baby sitters work for mall money. Childcare providers pay bills. It's my " job". Not something I do on a Friday night so my neighbors can go to dinner.

I respond to ' are you still babysitting?" with

I don't sit on them.

Yes I still own a childcare.

[pixsydust]

I do not sit kids down to memorize things to impressed their parents or force them to learn to write their name at 2.5yo.
!

I don't run my daycare that way either, but I have spent way too much time and money into getting and staying licensed and keeping up with yearly training, rule changes, etc to be called a babysitter. This particular DCM ticked me off for a different reason so I was more irritated than normal when I was referred to as a babysitter. ( https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...108#post153108 ) Normally I just explain the reasons why I'm a daycare provider and not a babysitter.

[Unregistered]

Don't let it get to you...

It's annoying and, depending on who says it, insulting. I really hate it, too, but I keep reminding myself that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I remind myself that I chose to be a daycare provider and it's a decision that I'm glad that I made. There will be people who will make you feel like your job isn't a real job because you are doing it at home. There will be people who will just assume that your job is just making sure that kids are fed and are safe when the parents pick them up after work. Those people have no idea what goes on during the day and they can't be bothered to ask. To some people, being a daycare provider is a boring job or a meaningless job. Providers aren't always respected and what we do is often trivialized. I wish that I could tell you that it'll stop happening, but it won't. While it bothers me, I take comfort in knowing that what I do matters. Also, it doesn't hurt to make more money than some of the people who are disrespectful of my job!

Also, remember this. It's the most important part to remember. Children see their providers without the filters that other people, even their own parents, see them through. If your daycare kids are happy, healthy and learning, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. We are so much more than babysitters to the children that we care for!

[nannyde]

I'm a babysitter.

I think it's a great job.

[PitterPatter]

I have always disliked being called a babysitter as well. We have an education, we have training, we are a business, therefor I think we deserve a little more respect. I had a client that was uppity and liked throwing her title around, yet I was merely a babysitter. I corrected her and with an explanation, but she either didn't get it or just didn't care. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I had more respect but when I am disrespected and sometimes even looked down upon then yes being called the babysitter really chaps my ass!

[B Lou]

After talking to a great friend I've come to relize I wish I was a babysitter. I mean really when is the last time a babysitter only got paid $3.00 an hour. When is the last time a babysitter had to take a parent to collection or court. When is the last time a babysitter got something in their house destroyed by a child. After reconsidering this I want to be a babysitter.

[nannyde]

I don't mind babysitter. My daycare parents love me, I love their kids...I am the sitter, and that is fine with me. They learn their letters, numbers, colors, etc...But mostly we learn compassion, taking turns, being helpful, and loving our Earth.

I call myself a daycare, but I have been getting away from that. Around here, parents think daycare=preschool these days. I AM NOT and NEVER will be like those preschools/daycares in my area. I do not sit kids down to memorize things to impressed their parents or force them to learn to write their name at 2.5yo.

My last parent who tried to manage my daycare into being a preschool was terminated. I am not putting Teach Your Baby to Read into my dvd player, and NO, you cannot bring your 18mo his flashcards that he "loves" to go through. Oh, and the "helpful" suggestions on worksheets, and activities to learn the ABCs are not going to be incorporated either.

I guess mom missed the child-led learning philosophy I incorporate. With lots of free play OUTSIDE, for all my super active, crazy boys. Amazingly enough, I only have had a few daycare kids (out of dozens) not be able to read before Kindie. Not a worksheet, or directed craft activity in sight.

Please, just let me be the 'babysitter'!

Amen sistah

When I got my first "what curriculum do you have for my newborn" call I knew I was destined to be a babysitter for the rest of my natural born days.

I'll leave dat dare proffessional child care providing (teacher/school/yourbabycanread/flashcardin) to those who were actually EDUCATED to educate.

[Blackcat31]

I'm going to freak out on them!!! I am so sick of people referring to me as a babysitter. If I were just a babysitter your child would not be counting to 10, or recognizing colors, shapes, etc. I don't know what it is with people/parents thinking daycare is just babysitting, but I'm really tired of it.

People think daycare is babysitting because honesty that is why they are paying you....to watch their child while they are at work. The teaching part is just a perk for them.

Most daycare is just babysitting. Yes, we own a business and we are professional in our field but that doesn't change the fact that we are watching kids in our homes because parents are out working.

Most of us aren't watching kids in our homes just so we could teach them....if we were, there wouldn't be so many posts/vents on here about how we are frustrated because a parent is bringing their child to us when they weren't at work.

I've never heard a teacher complain that Timmy was brought to school today but his parents aren't at work.....

Babysitters might be teenagers working for mall money but daycare providers are the same thing just adults who work for bill money.

Before everyone gets all hot under the collar and starts ranting about how we are all teachers etc etc. My opinions are mine and many might disagree with me (as is your right) but unless there is a degree on your wall and possibly a student loan in your budget/finances, we are care providers. Professional adults who provide child care (i.e babysitting services) for parents while they go to work.

We may teach the kids a boat load of things while in our care (and that is awesome) but the parents didn't seek out our services to teach their child anything......they might have been swayed by the "perks" of what you teach when choosing you over the next provider, but when the day comes to a end, we are being paid to watch their kids.

Call me what you want, I don't really care. Just respect my policies and pay me on time.
FWIW~ I have the degree and the student loan, but am licensed as a family child care provider NOT as a preschool center. Yes, I choose to teach the kids but that isn't why my dck's are here everyday.

[Country Kids]

I do call myself a childcare provider. In some peoples eyes I maybe a babysitter but in my eyes I do much, much more than a babysitter.

I have to: Have cpr/first aid training
food handlers card
many hours of training a year
have my house inspected yearly by the STATE
Have to follow state guidelines
Have a Certificate of Registration hanging on my wall
Have permission slips for everything
Have childcare locks on most drawers and door handles in my home
Serve USDA food
background check for me and everyone over 18 in my home even if
they are not involved in the childcare
Work 11 hour day while the parents are at work
Have to be over the age of 18
I do it in my home
Have to have special insurance on my home and vehicle

Those are just a few things I can think of right off the top of my head

A babysitter: Maybe have training through the Red Cross
Hopefully be over the age of 12
Eat the parents food
Text or be on the computor
Work possibly 2-4 hours
Go to the parents home


I think I have the right to call myself more than a babysitter. Also, I don't take care of babies.

No one ever calls a Nanny a babysitter! I think when you have a nanny it gives you some sort of prestige or something.

[Meeko]

I don't mind babysitter. My daycare parents love me, I love their kids...I am the sitter, and that is fine with me. They learn their letters, numbers, colors, etc...But mostly we learn compassion, taking turns, being helpful, and loving our Earth.

I call myself a daycare, but I have been getting away from that. Around here, parents think daycare=preschool these days. I AM NOT and NEVER will be like those preschools/daycares in my area. I do not sit kids down to memorize things to impressed their parents or force them to learn to write their name at 2.5yo.

My last parent who tried to manage my daycare into being a preschool was terminated. I am not putting Teach Your Baby to Read into my dvd player, and NO, you cannot bring your 18mo his flashcards that he "loves" to go through. Oh, and the "helpful" suggestions on worksheets, and activities to learn the ABCs are not going to be incorporated either.

I guess mom missed the child-led learning philosophy I incorporate. With lots of free play OUTSIDE, for all my super active, crazy boys. Amazingly enough, I only have had a few daycare kids (out of dozens) not be able to read before Kindie. Not a worksheet, or directed craft activity in sight.

Please, just let me be the 'babysitter'!

Where is the LOVE IT button?