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Hello I need ideas to write to licensing about why I feel that my children shouldnt be a part in my numbers. I have a few reasons but could you all give me more ideas. Thanks.
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I have to disagree with you, I feel that our kids should be counted in our numbers.
Say you have 4 kids under the age of 10 and you're licensed for 8 kids. That would allow you to have 12 kids of varying ages on your own. IMHO, that is too many for one person to keep an adequate eye on.
My 5 yo grandson lives with me. He counts in my numbers even when his mom is home and he is under her control. I understand the reasoning behind it and I don't have an issue with it. -
I also think they should count in your numbers. In fact, I have found that my children often need MORE supervision than daycare children. Not only do they push more buttons and get into more stuff around the house, but I expect a higher level of behavior out of them versus dck's.Comment
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I disagree. It would be different if you have 1 child of your own, but I have 4 of my own and if they counted in my numbers then I would only be able to watch 1 child, how would I be able to do this and make a living.
also, what happens when kids are in school or off on vacation or have the day off, it would be so confusing. My children are now a bit older but even when they were younger I had no problems with them, if your having issues with your own children maybe its time to take a break from daycare and figure out what is going on.Comment
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Just to show how different states are, I'm a listed home in Texas, which is similar to what other states call legally unregistered. I am allowed 3 children who are not related to me. But, I am allowed 12 children if 9 of them are related. They have a pretty broad definition of related: kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews. cousins, etc. It boggles my mind that I can have 12 kids if they are kin, but only 3 strangers.
I don't really have any suggestions for you, but the topic hit home since we were just talking this morning about adopting one of my dc moms so that I can take her baby when he's born. Otherwise, I'm over my limit and can't take him.Comment
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Thank you. I have two school age chilren that cant do things like have friends over or go up stairs in their rooms because they count in my numbers. My two year old also is well behaved where I dont need to have him count in my numbers. He is allowed to be out of my site on weekends like upstairs with his siblings or out in our fenced yard withn out me if his older siblings are out with him but since he is consider one of my daycare kids I cant let him be free in his own home. I also agree with you that I have no issues with my own children so I dont get why some have more issues with their kids m ore then the daycare kids.Comment
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Ok, let me clarify. Under all circumstances, I believe they should count in your ratio, but the ratio should depend on the age of your children. If your children are 0-5 years old, you are allowed less; whereas if your children are school aged, then you are allowed more.
As far as "issues" with my own children, there are none outside of regular childhood issues. You can't seriously believe that your children require no extra work. The laws are created for ALL people, including those with "perfect" children and those with little demons. Just because your children are great doesn't mean Jane Doe with a home daycare down the street has perfect children as well.Comment
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can someone just give me pros and cons and not one sided answers . That will be great thank you.
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In WI they only count until they are 7y old. I couldn't imagine if my own had to count until 18.
Maybe go on the fact that once they are school age they are at school and having them take up a space that could be filled with a child that is there all the time makes more sense.Comment
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So I take it you only want reasons as to why they shouldn't count in the ratios.
I think this post is good for you because you should know all sides (not just people sharing your opinion) before you write a letter to the state. You need to be able to argue all points.
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In my state (OH) our own kids only count until they are age 6.
I can understand own children not counting once they are in school full-time--they are older, more self-sufficient, etc, when they are home.
I do think that own children should count until school age--imagine if someone had twins, or triplets, or 4 kids under age 4 of their own, then added another 3, 4, 6 daycare kids on top of it...that's too much for one person!
HOWEVER--I don't think that our rules require us to treat our own children as though they are daycare kids. If I wasn't allowed to let my children be free in their own home, I don't think I would do daycare.
Are you writing the letter and asking for a variance for your own child, or are you trying to get them to change the regulation?Hee hee! Look, I have a signature!Comment
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My state does not require children or relatives to be counted in numbers. Unfortunately, i see many people take advantage of this. However, i don't. My own 3 children are not counted in my numbers.
The pros for parents/state is that because of my family, my home is childproof already and I am experienced in one way because of motherhood (I have experience elsewhere). I can relate to what my daycare parents are going thru because I am right there with them. Plus, I personally feel that providers with families are, in general, are more stable and reliable.....its not like a 20 year old college student that will work at a daycare for 3 months and then quit when things get boring. My own kids grow very attached to my daycare kids and there is a stability in seeing the same friends every day. I am not saying that these points can only be achieved by being a mother but in my case, I see them as pros.
Cons are that I am on duty all the time because my kids are young and i really dont get a break from the general daycare type environment.Comment
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is that what I said.um no. I asked for pros and cons. cons mean bad as well so no I want both sides not just one side. please re read my other postsComment
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I tried really hard to come up with a list of pros and cons as to why you should and shouldn't count your own children and the only thing I keep thinking of is your statement that your 2 year old is really well behaved.
My sister thinks her 4 year old is a super responsible and well behaved child too. He cut the neighbors cats hair off the other day when she wasn't directly supervising him (because he doesn't really need supervision since he is so well behaved
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Point being that what one person thinks is well behaved and not too much trouble is vastly different than what another person feels is the definition of well behaved or a good kid....kwim?
In that respect, ALL children should and need to be counted in your ratios unless they are basically old enough to stay home alone for short periods of time. My state does this in limiting the number of children I can have in specific age groups and limits the number of adults to children as they age since getting older means requiring less supervision in most cases.
I don't really understant what it is that you are trying to convey to your licensing department about not having to count your own children unless you are trying to change the laws...and that isn't going to happen as the trends in ECE and child care have been leaning towards cutting back on large group care settings with only one adult and strengthening the rules about supervision between adults and the number of children in care.
Too much liability when watching other people's children. The number of deaths that occur in child cares seem to increase every year....I have no statistical data I just know I can't open a newspaper or watch the news without hearing of another child dying in daycare.
If you are trying to get a variance for the number of children you have, why not simply state what precaustions you are going to take such as more barriers, adding video cameras, hiring a helper, or any other detail that will ensure that you are still going to give the additional child the same care and supervision you would any other child you have in care.
I also want to mention that the posters here are trying to answer your VERY vague question so getting snippy at them when they take the time to respend in the first place isn't helping. I don't mean to sound rude but from what I can tell, this thread IS confusing and I have read all the posts and your responses and I am still confused as to what it is you are actually asking.
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