Not sure daycare is for me

[daycarediva]

How about crafts that require prep from you 1-2x a week, instead of daily, and then the other days, just do free art time.

I agree on the breakfast and pick up times as well. Good luck!

[cheerfuldom]

How about crafts that require prep from you 1-2x a week, instead of daily, and then the other days, just do free art time.

I agree on the breakfast and pick up times as well. Good luck!

good point! I guess I dont understand what all you are doing after hours....I have the kids help me clean up the room and since I dont provide lunch (kids bring a sack lunch here), I have little to no work outside daycare hours. I can even plan art or craft ideas while the kids are playing. Perhaps you are just doing un-necessary prep work as well?

[My3cents]

Sorry, that came out harsher than I meant it to. I didn't mean all parents, but it is true that some people don't love their kids as much as others do, but I more meant to say the degree that parents ENJOY time with their kids. I am thinking specifically of many interviews I've done where the parents say I love my kids but I could NOT spend the whole day with them. Their kids would drive them nuts to be with all day, but I enjoy 99% of my time with my ds and I'm with him all day every day, he's never had a babysitter ever.

My own dh admittedly doesn't ENJOY our ds as much as I do. My dh has told me that he finds him kind of boring, he can't multitask, and it's not his natural tendency. (which believe me, hurts my feelings and has made some conflict!).

SOME parents (and I'm thinking of specific examples) do prioritize their lifestyle over their kids because they enjoy the lifestyle more. One exmaple, a family that lives on the river in a big house, drives a BMW, and work ALOT. I know they love their kid, but I think they also love their lifestyle and have chosen not to give it up in favor of staying home with baby. That's their choice and they're entitled to it, but I don't think you can make those choices and still say your child is your number one priority. Our prioritites is where we spend our time, resources (emotional, financial, etc.) Another example, a family that has nice cars and just moved into a brand new big house in a nice area and went on an 8 day vacation leaving the baby at home with relatives. They say how hard it is to leave the baby, and another baby on the way too, but yet they don't make the choices to live on less so that mom could be home with them more. Her actions don't match her words.

But it's true and I apologize, my statement was too broad and blunt. My husband and I live on one extremely modest car only, share an extremely modest house with my mother, and I still can't afford to ONLY be a SAHM, so I turned my life upside down to start my business so that I could make the money we need but still be with my ds. It would hurt my feelings if someone said I dont' love my ds as much as them because I don't ONLY stay home with him and can't devote ALL my attention to him.

But I THINK we can all agree that there are SOME people who don't love their kids as much as their jobs/lifestyle, and SOME people maybe even many people who don't enjoy their kids as much as someone who chooses to be with their kids 24/7.

I don't know if I agree with this.

I think some love their kids just as much but work hard to be able to give them everything that they can out of love.

I think some parents love their kids just as much but need a break. Your not a bad parent or any less of a loving parent because you chose to take a break and spend time with your husband or yourself, and not every single minute of the day with your child. Many people recharge from time alone or to themselves. I know come the weekends I charge up again to have a great week with my daycare kiddo's.

I don't agree with you. I think if given a choice of work or not work, most people would say not work. but some people like to keep busy, it doesn't mean that they love any less, it is just the way they are.

then you have the crummy parents that could truly care less about the kids... I want to say that most working parents, are working hard for a better life for their kids and family.

I don't feel that parents that stay home with the kids make better parents. I think often resentments of self come into play.

Just my few thoughts-

[My3cents]

Thanks everyone. I've been reading and thinking a lot about your comments. Unfortunately, I can't let any kids go or do a preschool program (although that sounds really fun!) because I just wouldn't make enough money. However, I definitely agree that I am expecting too much of myself and my program. I offer lots of "extras" and plan a lot of activities. The prep work is taking too much of my personal time and I run myself ragged during the week trying to keep up with cleaning and the basic care of the kids all of which are still in diapers.see you know what you need to do. You are doing way too much, esp if it is stressing you. Do your cleaning during the day while your working, limit prep work down in time.

I was doing some brainstorming of ways to lessen my load. I'd love to hear what you think or if you have any other ideas. First, I'd like to eliminate breakfast. Are you on a food program? I wouldn't take away breakfast, I would just simplify it more. I would eliminate AM snack. For me I found AM snack was not needed, but I moved my lunch up to be a little earlyier. If I felt someone needed a snack, then I would offer it. Babies eat on their schedule. All of my kids arrive between 8:30 and 9 and I'm currently providing a substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, etc) as well as an a.m. snack. Do you think parents would expect a rate decrease if I went to a larger a.m. snack and expected them to show up already having had breakfast?No, charge your rate as a spot for specific time. Johnny comes full time from 9AM to 3Pm everyday- anything later then 3 is overtime, earlier is overtime. You get paid no matter if Johnny comes or not because he is taking a spot. If she needs you more hours then she pays you more.

Second, I was considering eliminating daily care reports for kids over two. yes, over one is fine. Send home a report once in a while that tells about Johnny's day. Most parents don't read them after a while. Use your time to spend it on the kids, not unneeded paperwork. I know all of my families enjoy getting a care report each day but after the age of two do they really need to know how many diapers they had and exactly what times they napped? They don't need this by 12 months maybe even a bit earlier, some parents may ask for this, then you can decide if you want to do this or not. If they don't ask, don't waste your time. I also write my menu each day on a white board so they would have that information anyway. If your on a food program why do you need to do this? Post your menu and be good with that. If someone wants to know what you served tell them verbally, or show them your menu.

Third, I'm thinking of moving my closing time up from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. All of my kids are scheduled to be picked up by 5:30 but a few have been stretching it since my late fees don't kick in until closing time.If pick ups can be done by 5;15 close then. If you have someone that needs longer hours then what you have decided it is up to you if you want to open or not.

I'm hoping these changes will help me feel more in control and less overwhelmed so that, even if I do close in 6 months, those months are more enjoyable for me and the kids.

It is ok to take care of your needs along the way. Doing too much "special" is just a recipe for burn out. Keep it real and have fun with the kiddo's. No one expects superwoman. Best-

[My3cents]

Absolutely do what ever you can to lighten your load as you will find that sometimes those little changes make HUGE differences! I should have read this first before I responded to you! Agree

I would eliminate breakfast. This is up to you, all what we are comfortable with and do. I require parents to have their child eat something before arriving and then I offer a morning snack to tide them over til lunch time. And NO, I did not decrease my rates simply because I stopped providing breakfast.

8:30-9:00 is normal school arrival and breakfast is not served at school at that time so I feel justified in my change to no breakfast at daycare anymore.

I pre-plan my menu monthly and send (through e-mail) the monthly menu to parents. I let them know that sometimes we do tweak it and have Monday's planned meal on Tuesday etc but for the most part they get the general idea. Do you do the food program BCat?

I also think it is a great idea to eliminate the daily reports for kids over 2. I only do daily reports for infants and even then only until a regular routine is developed and the parent isn't so concerned about number of feedings and BM's during the day. agreeeeee

I would talk with parents at pick up and mention quick simple tidbits from the day but daily reports after infancy is just way too much and I honestly think parents won't care. If something big happens during the day, you can talk with parent at pick up or through e-mail or phone call later.

I would absolutely move my close time. Condsider moving it to the time the last parent works or go to contracted times. agreeeee Before I went contracted times only, all parents left their kids until I closed. Now, I have them pay for the extra time if they want their kids to stay after they are off work and wouldnt you know it 75% of my kids are now gone by 4:00 and I am left with only 2 families (3 kids) that actually need me until 5:00. Makes clean up and the end of the day go more smoothly to not be super busy right up to closing time.

Small changes definitely make a BIG difference, so I would start with the 3 changes you mentioned and see if that helps. agreeee

Give yourself a date in the future, say 60 or 90 days and re-evaluate how you feel after you made the changes. You will know your answer then.

I jumped the gun and should have read all of this before responding because other then the fact that I do serve breakfast, I agree with all of this....

[My3cents]

How about crafts that require prep from you 1-2x a week, instead of daily, and then the other days, just do free art time.

I agree on the breakfast and pick up times as well. Good luck!

crafts that you are doing, prep should be easy enough to put together during the day, either during nap, or while the kids have free play. What are your ages of kids your working with. Under two have very little attention span for A&C I introduce but never expect results or even finished products. Open ended art- Craft time can be pulling out the paper or easel and taking out chunky crayons.

[My3cents]

good point! I guess I dont understand what all you are doing after hours....I have the kids help me clean up the room and since I dont provide lunch (kids bring a sack lunch here), I have little to no work outside daycare hours. I can even plan art or craft ideas while the kids are playing. Perhaps you are just doing un-necessary prep work as well?

This is to touch upon. So true. Work should be work. After hours is after hours. If you chose to work during after hours to better your program, great, but work should end most days. As you can see it was a home day for me, usually the weekends I go go go. I am choosing to do things in the daycare and it is not my normal. What is the point of working round the clock. Learn when to shut off. Start clean up a half hour before kid's go home. Get paperwork done during rest time or quiet time. Manage your time so that your working for a reason. Get things done so that when your work day is done, your able to close up and think about your family and yourself-Best

[daycarediva]

I spend off hours time
Nightly:
getting paperwork together for the next day
making sure I have everything I need for the next day's menu (getting out meat to defrost, since I pre plan and pre-buy everything I need for the week)
Prepping the next days activities (taking a peek at my curriculum to make sure I will be prepared)
sweeping & mopping the playroom
cleaning the daycare bathroom, putting another day's worth of diapering supplies in the bathroom cubbies

Weekly:
writing a grocery list from my menu, checking supplies and shopping.
cleaning my daycare room from top to bottom, sanitizing toys, cleaning out cubbies, any prep work I will need to do for curriculum.
updating daycare facebook
updating website

Monthly:
Newsletter
ordering curriculum
menus
calendar
door theme (to match curriculum)



It IS a lot of time after hours. It took me about 4 hours to clean my playroom and toys today, check everything indoors and out for safety and get my paperwork and curriculum ready for tomorrow. When SA's aren't here I was doing the majority of it during nap (pretty much guaranteed 2 hours) On Thursdays and Fridays I was even cleaning the playroom and sanitizing toys. This is also why I wan't to stop SA care, I really NEED that time!

[Annalee]

I can relate somewhat to how you feel. While I have been in business for twenty years, I reached a point at the ten year mark where I had to decide if I really wanted to do this. For what it is worth, I set my contract/policy/handbook in order to take care of myself (opening at 6 AM instead of 5 AM, closing at 4:30 PM instead of 5 PM, allowing parents only
9 1/2 hrs after signing in not to exceed 4:30 which caused the 6 AM children to be picked up by 3:30, taking vacation and personal days with pay). I love my job now: being my own boss, the buisness part, and best of all the challenge of creating a fun-filled learning environment for the children. Only you can weigh the options and come up with the right answer for you. Listen to your heart!

[Blackcat31]

I jumped the gun and should have read all of this before responding because other then the fact that I do serve breakfast, I agree with all of this....Do you do the food program BCat?

Yes, I am participate with the food program.

I don't serve breakfast by definition (for the parents) but I do serve breakfast by definition according to the food program.

I require all my dck's to eat something before arriving. After all my dck's have arrived (by 9) I then serve morning snack. The snack has all the components required to be counted as breakfast by the food program but I don't call it breakfast for the parents.

I had far too many kids arriving at 7:00 and eating breakfast only to have my 8:30 arrivers also wanting breakfast and then the 7:0-7:300 arrivers would want to eat again and I found myself spending the first 2 hour of my day serving breakfast.

Eliminating the meal upon arrival and serving at 9-9:30 made things much easier.

[My3cents]

Yes, I am participate with the food program.

I don't serve breakfast by definition (for the parents) but I do serve breakfast by definition according to the food program.

I require all my dck's to eat something before arriving. After all my dck's have arrived (by 9) I then serve morning snack. The snack has all the components required to be counted as breakfast by the food program but I don't call it breakfast for the parents.

I had far too many kids arriving at 7:00 and eating breakfast only to have my 8:30 arrivers also wanting breakfast and then the 7:0-7:300 arrivers would want to eat again and I found myself spending the first 2 hour of my day serving breakfast.

Eliminating the meal upon arrival and serving at 9-9:30 made things much easier.

What time do you do lunch? I can see how that would make it easier because you have everyone doing breakfast at the same time. How well do they eat at that time if they eat breakfast at home? Thanks for sharing. I find it interesting how everyone does things differently or the same.

[Blackcat31]

What time do you do lunch? I can see how that would make it easier because you have everyone doing breakfast at the same time. How well do they eat at that time if they eat breakfast at home? Thanks for sharing. I find it interesting how everyone does things differently or the same.

I do A.M. Snack (breakfast) at 9-9:30 and then lunch at 12:00. Sometimes, 12:15-12:30 but we shoot for noon. My kids all eat fantastic for lunch. I include all the necessary components of breakfast at our A.M. snack but don't allow the kids to over eat or have so much that I think it will hinder their lunch.

I have no idea why I have such awesome kids when it comes to meals and eating but I am super grateful every time I read a thread about kids and food. Currently I have 12 kids and NOT one single one of them doesn't clean their plate at lunch time. happyface