DCP and Wipes?!?

[JennyBear]

That's nuts!

One wipe with one swipe does seem like such a waste, especially with a poopy bum!

One DCG I have often poops 3-4 times a day and it's usually somewhat loose and large! (always been that way) I can just imagine having this rule....her mom and dad would have to remortgage their home in order to supply all the wipes I would need! LOL ::

[kimsdaycare]

I do not know what state the OP is in, but I am in New York.

For the life of me I cannot find the "one wipe" verbage in the regs, but it was made very clear in the training that this was what was expected. I believe it was written in a handout I had as well. Maybe it was interpreted that way by our local agency, but considering the trainer didn't even like the rule, it seems it must have come from somewhere higher up in the food chain or they wouldnt be bothering with it.

[dEHmom]

I'm going to don my flame suit and ask this question....

I often see people comment on regulations for licensing that make our jobs harder. Regulations that seem fine in a perfect world but in reality, really do not work and I often wonder why people don't just do what works for them and just tell licensing that they complied? Obviously if you're being inspected at that moment, you do it according to the rules but otherwise, why make life harder for yourself? Of course, I don't mean important rules like ratios, safety concerns, etc.

This wipe rule is a perfect example. You're only supposed to use one wipe per swipe? What a pain in the arse and what a waste of wipes. Unless licensing is standing there watching you change a diaper, why not just use the wipes as normal? It's not like it's really going to hurt a child to have a wipe used for three swipes instead of one and no one will ever know the difference.

The length of time spent outdoors is another one. Yes, it's important to be outside everyday and I understand why licensing requires it. But, in freezing cold or scorching hot temps, why not just say you were out when you weren't? I know most licensing rules determine a temperature that's safe and a length of time to be outside for but if those regulations don't work for your group at the moment, why bother? I know that the temps some of you are expected to take the kids out in are not realistic when dealing with 4 or 5 or more little kids, whether some licensing rule says you should or not so why not do what's best for your group at the moment and licensing will never know?

I'm not suggesting you ignore all the rules or ignore a (or many) rules all the time but why not occasionally when it would benefit the children, your program and you to do things differently some times?

I agree with this. I watch moms change their children's bums with 4 or 5 wipes because they bunch them up and swipe then take a new one. I myself know that I could've cleaned that particular bum with 1-2 wipes. I lay them flat and swipe with some pressure and it's usually clean, then i fold the wipe and pick up any missed spots. IF it's a little messier or stickier than usual, I'll take another 1 or 2 wipes (I make sure child is clean completely of course).

As for the outside rules and regs, i agree. When you have infants learning to walk, they can't walk in the snow, and they get cold sitting in the snow even with snowsuits on. For the older kids they can run around and stay warm. The little ones who aren't walking yet want to crawl in the snow and mits fall off, boots fall off etc. I honestly HATE winter and if it's cold enough to freeze my nostrils shut, i will not go outside. in the summer we are outside a lot, but I have to stay under the shade of my willow tree. Otherwise I get very ill. If it's humid out, we don't go out, or we play in the sprinkler. If licensing told me I couldn't use a sprinkler, I'd tell them I'll close down then. That usually shuts them up There are certain things licensors can over look. Mostly if they are "guidelines" and nothing that is illegal or an actual safety concern.


As for the mom OP, I'd just tell her she needs to send more than 1 package if she is concerned about replacing them too often. She can send 3 or 4 or a case at a time, then you'll only need to let her know 1 or 2 times a year

[MarinaVanessa]

I do not know what state the OP is in, but I am in New York.

For the life of me I cannot find the "one wipe" verbage in the regs, but it was made very clear in the training that this was what was expected. I believe it was written in a handout I had as well. Maybe it was interpreted that way by our local agency, but considering the trainer didn't even like the rule, it seems it must have come from somewhere higher up in the food chain or they wouldnt be bothering with it.

Just going off on what Kim said here ... I think you should really be clear as to who is facilitating your orientations and trainings. Sometimes Licensing may use other people (such as those working for a resource and referral agency) to conduct these trainings and these people will add their own 2 cents worth.

For example, I called my Licensing office to ask about a question about the bleach/water solution that we were required to use to disinfect our equipment and toys and I was told that it wasn't a licensing requirement at all but that it was our local resource and referral agency's "thing". I mentioned that I specifically remembered being told that it was a requirement during my orientation before becoming licensed and she said "Yes, our orientations are sometimes conducted by (our local resourse and referral agency)"

So when in doubt, just call (or better yet email) your rep and ask them. Then ask for the answer in writing and ask them for referance as to that exact regulation.

[kimsdaycare]

In my case this was a local licensing rep that was now handling trainings in our resource and referral office. All the reps I've had went to her with regulation questions but I have no idea who she went to if she didn't have the answer. I've never had licensing give me a hard time about anything, so I've never had to find that out. Most are previous providers, so they have a great deal of common sense and don't push the stupid stuff. It was just funny that she was training for something she didnt agree with, but felt it was valid enough that she *had* to kwim? That's the reason why it has stuck with me so long!

[My3cents]

I have to agree with some of the above that it really is a waste of wipes. Curious what state you are in to have that rule - I have never heard such a thing and I honestly don't think I'd be following it unless someone was right there watching me.

But, if you are adament about only using 1 wipe per swipe then I would just one day add up exactly how many wipes you use for this child and when she brings in a pack of 120 or 180 or whatever calculate how many days that should last. I'm guessing its less days than she expects!

I know even when my DD was in daycare I felt like they went thru diapers so fast. The pack seemed so big - but dividing it out knowing approx. how many they used a day helped it to make sense.

Also, I started supplying wipes a few years ago for this reason. I'd rather use the brand I like, not the brand parents like since I'm the one doing the wiping. I also don't want to feel like I can't use one to wipe a nose or hands or even the table, etc. because that is "wasting" a particular childs wipes.

This is why I tell my parents it is a community item- used on everyone for everything and I buy them too!!! They know they see the box sitting there at the begining of the month or whenever I get to Target.

[dEHmom]

My parents supply the wipes, and it's community as well, unless one child has particular wipes. 99% of my dcks come with costco brand wipes. So I don't see a point in storing a million packs in the cabinet. I put a refill in, and when I get down to the end of all the packs, each parent brings in a new one. I use them for faces, and hands etc too. But I do try to not be wasteful with them.

My kids use them as well. On weekends when you say wash your face or hands, they run and grab a wipe. They usually get in heck for it, and i tell them to go use soap and water. But I do buy wipes as well.

[jenny31052]

When we went to training, we were told about the rule of the one wipe - one swipe. My licensor comes unannounced 2-3 times a month, and, I'm not kidding, she peeks into the trash can in the bathroom to see if I use gloves, the wax paper on the changing pad, and if the wipes are being trown away double folded, or whatever... she doesn't stick her hands in there, but she looks in it, every single time. I did got a reprimand one time, because she saw wipes that were obviously not be used "appropriately"

It is a stupid rule, yes, but I don't want to get in trouble, so I follow it... just in case, and because she is so picky, that I'm afraid that one day she will actually go through the whole trash can.

I have a container for each child, with their names on it - I have no reason to use someone else's wipes. When I have about 3 days left of supply I live a note in the child's cubby, I tell the parents, or I call/text... in more than 2 years I have never , ever had a "wipes problem".

I used to supply them, but then one parent wanted to use the organic ones, the other preferred another brand, because the child was "allergic" to those that I was using, so I decided that they can bring what they want me to use on their kids... same for diapers... works great for me...


ANyway, this morning she showed up, and apologized... she brought a new pack of wipes, which she saw me put into her child's drawer in the bathroom, with a date on...

[dEHmom]

When we went to training, we were told about the rule of the one wipe - one swipe. My licensor comes unannounced 2-3 times a month, and, I'm not kidding, she peeks into the trash can in the bathroom to see if I use gloves, the wax paper on the changing pad, and if the wipes are being trown away double folded, or whatever... she doesn't stick her hands in there, but she looks in it, every single time. I did got a reprimand one time, because she saw wipes that were obviously not be used "appropriately"

It is a stupid rule, yes, but I don't want to get in trouble, so I follow it... just in case, and because she is so picky, that I'm afraid that one day she will actually go through the whole trash can.

I have a container for each child, with their names on it - I have no reason to use someone else's wipes. When I have about 3 days left of supply I live a note in the child's cubby, I tell the parents, or I call/text... in more than 2 years I have never , ever had a "wipes problem".

I used to supply them, but then one parent wanted to use the organic ones, the other preferred another brand, because the child was "allergic" to those that I was using, so I decided that they can bring what they want me to use on their kids... same for diapers... works great for me...


ANyway, this morning she showed up, and apologized... she brought a new pack of wipes, which she saw me put into her child's drawer in the bathroom, with a date on...

I always put the wipes and gloves inside the diaper, and then roll the diaper up then place it in a plastic diaper bag double knot it, and then throw it in trash on the back steps. So there would be no way for her to see the wipes unless she opened the diaper and looked.

[Blackcat31]

When we went to training, we were told about the rule of the one wipe - one swipe. My licensor comes unannounced 2-3 times a month, and, I'm not kidding, she peeks into the trash can in the bathroom to see if I use gloves, the wax paper on the changing pad, and if the wipes are being trown away double folded, or whatever... she doesn't stick her hands in there, but she looks in it, every single time. I did got a reprimand one time, because she saw wipes that were obviously not be used "appropriately"
It is a stupid rule, yes, but I don't want to get in trouble, so I follow it... just in case, and because she is so picky, that I'm afraid that one day she will actually go through the whole trash can.

HOLY COW!!! Are you serious? 2-3 times a month for unannounced inspections/visits from your licensor?!?!? That is insane!!!! :confused::confused: There is NO reason for anyone to be visited that many times in one month....seems almost harassing...

.....and she actually looks in your garbage can???????? Seriously WTH?!?!

I have never, in all my years in this field, heard of something so rediculous!!! Not even drug addicts on house arrest are checked up on that much!

What happens if you use a wipe for one swipe and when you toss it out, it "falls" into the garbage and appears folded or doubled over....are you suppose to reach into a poopy wipe and lay it flat so your licensor can "see" that you used it properly"???? Again, WTH? :confused:

WOW!! I am seriously just in shock that you have to work under those conditions!!!

Well, I am glad your DCM apologized and saw that you really have no choice with having to work under those types of conditions. Wow! I just want to keep saying wow! I can't believe you have a licensor (or rules) like you do....

(((((HUGS))))) to you for simply having to follow those asinine rules and yet still doing child care!

[renodeb]

I had the parents supply diapers and wipes for a long time before I started having trouble with parents remembering to bring them in. On several occasions parents would forget them and 3 weeks later would finally bring them. (by that time I had borrowed from others or used up my reserves). One mom even said that I was using to many wipes and that she wipes and folds it over as many times as she can before she uses a new one. So I started keeping a tally on his daily note on how many wipes I used on him. (he had yucky diapers to). Once I switched to supplying everything it has become much easier. I know I have the supplies I need. (granted I did raise rates but not a huge raise)
Debbie

[SilverSabre25]

(((((HUGS))))) to you for simply having to follow those asinine rules and yet still doing child care!

Well said!! (need an applause smiley, )

Acutally, the above applies to many, many of you. I was never so grateful for my state's comparatively lax child care regulations until I came to this board. I wouldn't be doing child care under the conditions many of you work! Kudos to you!

[Sunchimes]

I'm pretty lax about supplies, especially wipes. But, at the same time, I'm aware that all of my parents are having a hard time these days, so I try to be careful. When they bring diapers, I always slip 2 or 3 out and put them into their drawer until I have a half dozen or so. Then, if they forget to bring more, I have a set of spares. They know and approve.

Both of my families supply wipes. They have never said anything about how many I use, and I don't think they ever would. But, I don't want to have to watch myself, so I also buy wipes. I use those for messy faces, bad noses, cleaning the chalkboard, removing errant crayon marks, and anything else I want to use them for. Wipes aren't that expensive and I just consider it one of the costs of doing business-like Lysol.

The community style wouldn't really be fair here because they aren't here the same number of days. If all of them were here 5 days a week, I might do it that way, but one week someone is here 5 days, then 3 days the next, and now and then, one baby isn't here at all.

[dEHmom]

I created a spreadsheet with a column for the date, then child's name, diapers, child's name, diapers, child's name, diapers etc.


under child's name, I put a check mark for each bum change, then at the end of the day, i mark down how many diapers they have left. When parents bring a new pack I mark it down. When they bring in wipes, I mark it down as well. If I run out of wipes before an average amount of time, I buy some. On average each parent brings wipes about once every 3 months.

[jenny31052]

I'm licensed through the military (my husband is active duty)... the military base where my husband works, have licensed family childcare homes to serve the military community, and in my case also civilians (since I don't live on base). To make it short, my licensor is the military installation, and I do follow their regulations on childcare, which are stricter than then State's. As providers we get the same training that the people at the actual daycare center on base, gets. We have to attend 2 hours of mandatory training each month as well... Right now, at this base location, we only have 7 "military" providers, so the program coordinator has PLENTY of time to check if we follow the rules.

I'm actually thinking switching completely, and obtain a State license, so I can have more freedom, and I won't be getting so many inspections.....