Appropriate Time in a Single Day for a Child in Daycare

[Unregistered]

I am a private at home daycare and I have the same problems. I have this parent dropping off kids as early as possible and picking them up at closing. I open at 6 and close at 5 and I still have this one parent that came in a while back to ask me if I can please take her to very young children at 5:30 so she can go home and dress for work. Some of these parents act like they can't do anything while their child is in their care. I also recently sent out new rules and on the top of them was the saying "Although I am opened a total of 11 hours I do not want to have each child here that length of time. This time is reserved for the working parent.

[espresso dreams]

Employers have a lot of say here...

While I agree that a child shouldn't be left in daycare all day, for many people, there isn't a way around it. I live in a state that allows no more than 50 hours of care per week, and I have been threatened with termination at every single job I've held since becoming a mother because I can't work over-time. The employer's rationale is, "Everyone else has to, if you get out of it, it isn't fair. If you can't do it, I''ll find someone who can". It isn't fair, but that's what's out there. Many parents do not have other family to take over after hours, either.

[Former Teacher]

I wish that TX would have.....

something similar about the hours that a child can be in child care. I wish it would go to 10 hours a day. 8 hour shift, 1 hour for lunch, and 1 hour travel time for both ways. Texas does have a standard stating no more than 12 hours a day. The center that I used to work at was open 630-630. I couldn't even begin to tell you the number of children, and always the same ones, that would be there for that amount of time.

I would make a comment such as, oh it was such a long day today for Johnny and I bet for you as well. I would get excuses such as , oh it's ok, I had a nap, did Johnny take a nap? Or, I am so sorry I am late, I just had to shop for a new hummer, do you like the color?

A sad fact also is that even though a parent might work 3 12 hour shifts or 4 10 hour days, the child was still brought in on the parents day off so the parent can have ME time. That was always a sore point for me too, because then they would bring them in at 1030 and pick up 300. So the child would only be there for lunch and nap (which they never napped because they got up late!)

Another sad fact I have learned over the years at my center. The younger the child is, the longer they are in daycare. It's like the parent doesn't want to spend time with their little ones. If you don't want to, then don't have them!

[melissa ann]

For the most part, the 3 kids I have are here the entire time I am open. My hours are 6-5pm and sometimes, it's 6am exactly when they get dropped off and 4:45-5pm when they get picked up. Tuesday was the mother of 2 of the kids ONLY day off (she's in retail, here schedule changes week to week and includes weekends) Well, Monday when she dropped off her 2 and her newphew she asked if I could watch her youngest (6 months) on Tuesday. She was going to help a friend look for a new car and didn't want to take the youngeset. I did. I wasn't thrilled about it. I don't get people. i've been with my kids since birth. When I do shopping, or whatever, my kids went with. Sure, it wasn't always a pleasant experience, but it was always adventureous. I guess I will have to put in an upcoming newsletter that my services are for when parents are working. Not for shopping, mowing the grass(I had that one too, dad got done early so he mowed the grass before picking up the kids)

[tymaboy]

I do not have a set time. One of my families their kid is her 9-10 hrs a day. But I know that they are working by the type of job that they have. With this little guy I do not mind cuz he is a total sweet heart. In Nov. I will have one starting that will be here just as long cuz the parents work out of town & the father is in construction. I also have it set up to where the child is here for a contacted time or they get charged extra.

[mrs.meg]

I just keep 2 boys right now. Their mom works all different shifts, weekends and has the most erratic schedule I have ever seen. I think she likes it because she gets to have her "me time" all the time. Sometime she is off for an entire week at at time and she will bring the kids all day 9 hours every day. She is sooooo afraid that she will give me a dime that I have not "earned". I have tried to be flexible and even do not charge for holidays which I know I should, but I guess when I started this I just didn't have it all planned out. She also picks up the oldest and takes him places and leaves the 2 year old here, which I would not do-I feel sorry for the little guy. I just do not understand people at all!

[Unregistered]

I have a one year old whose both parents work in town A, I live in town B and they live in town c. Their older son is in a center in town c. These parents pass my house and pick up their son first, then backtrack to my house, then go back to town C (where they just picked up their son), just to not spend time with their one year old. This causes them at least 15 additional miles per day. The one year old is a screamer who I watch for almost 10 hours a day M-F. Also, there are MANY times that when they drop off or pick up, it is obvious by their dress, that they have not been at work that day. They show up in flip flops and shorts, and their other kid is already in the car. I feel they just don't want to spend any time with their one year old. Why have kids if you don't want to spend time with them. Before I was home, I would get me kids early every chance I could find. I couldn't wait to see them. This is also why I am now home with them. These parents also have made comments about previous DC providers not wanting to watch their kids if they are not working. They are the type of parents, who make teething excuses, when their child is clearly sick and shouldn't be in care. Anyway, just venting. It just saddens me to know that so many parents, when given the opportunity to spend with their kids, would rather take "me" time. I watch kids 10 hours a day, then have my own children 24/7. I can't remember the last time I had "me" time. I can't stand hearing parents say the need time. They spend at least 10-14 hours away from their families daily, (at least with other adults) and not screaming children.

[sunmoonandstars]

To Be Fair

Honestly, to be fair, I think it should be a regular 8 to 9 hour day, plus up to 2 hours for commuting time (this includes morning & evening commute). Anything other than that is just too long and the parent(s) need to find a way for someone in the family to be with their child each evening.

But, that's just me.

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

I dont see how you can make a blanket policy for this type thing. I have one in care from 5 a to 6 p m-f. 50 weeks a yr. Mom is a single mom, works 10 hour shifts an hour away. I also have one here from about 6 to 5 daily, Mom keeps him on a schedule and if she gets off early, needs an afternoon to herself or just wants a nap,.. Im ok with that. They contract me for my time, pay for it, and can use it for what they want. I think we should do the best for them while they are with us and when its moms time,.. let them worry about it. As long as Im paid, I am not one to judge wether you are at work or the grocery, having a date with your husband or napping in the sun. Im a childcare provider, I am paid to care for your child based on the hours we agreed to at contract signing. I didnt agree to keep them only while the parents are working. Yes, I get jealous sometimes that they are out having fun while Im caring for their baby,.. but thats what I signed onto at the start and I figure my jealousy needs to step back and realize that this is my CHOSEN job. If I don't like them having fun and me staying back to keep the kids,.. I should find a normal job that affords me the same type of options. However,.. I do need a number to get them if needed. When I started, (back in 89) cells werent as popular,

[Unregistered]

Thank you

I was surprised by the things that some of the childcare providers wrote. I agree with what you said. I don't unnecessarily leave my son in childcare when I am not working but there are days I need to go to the dentist or have a certain exam at a doctor's appointment (or anywhere else that might not be appropriate to have a child with you) and took the day off work to get all of that done. I don't think it's fair for a childcare provider to just "Oh, you aren't in your work clothes. Well, why are you bringing your child then??" They are getting paid either way! Now, if someone is leaving their child extra long on a consistent basis, then I don't think it is necessarily right or best for the child. But I don't think a paid childcare provider should be so upset if the agreed upon terms aren't being violated.

[Daycare Mommy]

Okay first off, this is not directed at all parents. Read and you will know if it's you I'm ranting about.

<rant>I have it in my policy that I'm here for work + commute times ONLY, so when it happens my terms ARE being violated. Parents tell me that they have doc/dentist appointments and I'm absolutely fine with watching for those. This is not the full extent of what happens though. Parents leave kids in daycare to go shopping, do yardwork, take naps, get their nails or hair done, and go to the gym. Do these things, fine! But take your kids with you. People who work 25 hrs a week 10 minutes away should NOT be leaving Junior in my care 50 hours a week yet this is what happens with some parents.

My rant here is not because I don't want to work, "earn my wages", or be around the children. I LOVE children! That's why I chose this profession! BUT, because I love these children I want what is best for them and what's best for them with very very few exceptions is to be with their real family as much as possible. Daycare is not a consequence-free substitute for spending time with your child. Between daycare for working hours and then later school, you are going to be missing the majority of their childhood already! Save the "me" time for your lunch break and after they go to bed! I watch 7 kids some days for up to 12 hrs and this is what I do. And amazingly it works just fine! Parent's that use daycare more than they must are cheating their child as well as themselves and will realize it only too late.</rant>

[melskids]

as a provider and a parent myself, it does sometimes bother me to see a parent leave their child here for 12 hrs a day while they are out tanning or going to the gym after work. i dont get time to go to the gym during the week myself, because of the long days i put in. but like someone else mentioned, its like beating a dead horse. but how i look at it is, they are paying me to spend quality time with THEIR children. they are the ones missing out. and if a child is going to be stuck at daycare for so long, at least i know i'm giving them the best care possible while they are here and love them like my own.

now parents, dont flame me. i'm not talking about those of you who HAVE to work long hours. and i'm not even talking about those who occasionally have "me" days. i'm talking about parents who leave their kids day in and day out for 12 hour days and NEVER spend anytime with them. there is a difference.

i had a single father of 3 who dropped his kids off at 4:30 a.m and worked until it got dark outside, sometimes 7 or 8 at night. (he was a tree climber). he had to do it to make the bills.

i have one mother now who stops for groceries/runs errands/grabs a coffee everyday, BUT she is still here on time. (still o.k by me)

i had a mother who dropped her kids off everyday, for 10-11 hrs a day and only worked part time. (two days a week) then left them at grandmas all weekend so she could party with her friends and be with her boyfriend alone.

thats the difference.

[TGT09]

I typically do not allow a child to stay more than 10 hours a day unless it's an emergency or a once in a while thing.

I will watch a child for any of parent's errands, appt.'s but like others said, as long as they are on time or if it's planned ahead of time!

[DBug]

I totally agree with what some of the others have said about what parents do during daycare hours being none of my business. I do wonder though, whether charging by the day is fair when one parent has their child here for only 8 hours, while another gets 12 hours of care for the same rate. I really respect the families that have things worked out so that their child spends as little time in daycare as possible (ie. dad drops off, mom picks up). It shows me that they actually do like their child :-) But occasionally I start to feel like I'm penalizing them by charging them the same as the parents whose child is here from open to close.

Someone mentioned charging a flat rate for 10 hours, and then charging hourly over that (I think ...). Does anyone else do that? Are parents okay with that? Does it change parents' drop off/pick up schedules at all?

[tenderhearts]

I do no more than 10 hours and if it goes over 10 there is a fee, but I've never ran into that before, on occassion I have one mom who drops off at 7 and dad or herself picks up at 5 but not too often. The average for me is 9 but most of my families the moms and dads go to work at different times so one may drop off at 8am and the other will pick up and 4.