Providers--Let’s Pretend To Be The Parents...

[DaisyMamma]

As long as I knew up front I wouldn't care.

As a provider I'm jealous. I wish I could afford someone to help out more. Although I would use the time to clean and play alone with my own kids.

[MarinaVanessa]

HOw would you feel if the provider was leaving the kids for different reasons such as to further educate herself or to attend necessary classes regarding her license? Then would it be ok???

If a child care provider left for these reasons then of course I would be ok with it ... these reasons are a direct benefit to the child and therefore a parent. The provider is taking training to better herself and her business ... getting her hair and nails done, going shopping etc does not. I would however still want to be notified of this when I signed up.

~BUT~

Again ... if I were told about this during the interview process and I chose her anyway then I wouldn't feel so duped KWIM? And it would depend on how frequent the provider was leaving and whether or not the assistant was as good as she was. I know some large DC homes with awesome providers and just as awesome staff. When these providers go on vacay's they get a sub and the assistant is in charge ... much like you said. The parents are fine with this because they were told in advance BUT it doesn't happen frequently. Here in CA a provider has to be present 80% of the time. That means that a provider can be away for almost 2.5 hours in a 12 hour day as long as ratio is still abided but not many a parent would be too fond of that KWIM

[countrymom]

I know she doesn't tell parents that she goes shopping or gets her hair done. She tells them that she has stuff that needs to be done and I think parents are under the impression that she's gone for about 2 hours but in reality its acually 4 to 5 hours. Me and my sis (who lives next door to her) always talk about how she loves to go shopping, my sis commented one time "can you imagine being a daycare parent and seeing your provider shopping at the dollar store, thinking that she's watching the kids" dh says that one day karma is going to get her because she's so reckless.

[Country Kids]

I know she doesn't tell parents that she goes shopping or gets her hair done. She tells them that she has stuff that needs to be done and I think parents are under the impression that she's gone for about 2 hours but in reality its acually 4 to 5 hours. Me and my sis (who lives next door to her) always talk about how she loves to go shopping, my sis commented one time "can you imagine being a daycare parent and seeing your provider shopping at the dollar store, thinking that she's watching the kids" dh says that one day karma is going to get her because she's so reckless.

This is one of the reasons I have one of my kiddos. Provider went into store, 1/2 hour from where she lives, with all the daycare kids. Ran into a parent that worked there. Guess the provider hadn't told the parents she was leaving for the day with the kids. Parents found out this was a regular occurance-would leave and get home before parents arrived back.

[Oneluckymom]

This is one of the reasons I have one of my kiddos. Provider went into store, 1/2 hour from where she lives, with all the daycare kids. Ran into a parent that worked there. Guess the provider hadn't told the parents she was leaving for the day with the kids. Parents found out this was a regular occurance-would leave and get home before parents arrived back.

Was my first reaction!! How could you POSSIBLY ever think of leaving with daycare kids WITHOUT ever running it by the parents??? First is the liability if something should EVER happen, then WHAT IF a parent came by tompick up early....imagine the parent thinking where on earth is everyone??

I just don't understand this !!!

[sahm1225]

I thought you were talking about me!

I went on tuesday to get groceries and get my nails done. I have 2 assistants, so I typically plan tuesdays as my 'get things done' day. I have a 7 month old (with special needs), a 3 year old and a 4 year old. Having time to do anythign during the weekends is just unheard of. So I have 2 days a month where I plan all the doctor visits and I grocery shop during nap time about 3x a month.

I try and be up front with all families when they sign up that I do have 2 assistants and that I do take occassional days off. We go out of town to visit family about once every 3 months and leave during nap time on a friday (leaving 3-4 kids with an assistant). None of the parents ever complain, but they love my assistants. I do interviews with my assistants and explain that we all work together.

[thatdivalady]

I actually fall into the category somewhat of provider not being present. But...

My business is an LLC with multiple people providing care. I never present to the parents that I am the only person providing care for their children. I am the director and I direct. The parents meet the other staff when they come for their first interview and if someone is not available then, they meet them for their second interview. I am usually not present for long blocks of time because we have three total locations (two of which are operational) that I need to be present at. I have two of my staff cover whole days and up to a week while myself and my mother go on vacation or go out of town, etc. but all of the parents know that and if they are not comfortable they have the option of not attending and not paying. But I've never had that happen because the people who take over are already providing much of the day to day care anyway so there's no change.

But this is not hidden from them.

Now, when I had my daughter in an in home, her provider was primary and she had a back up. I met the back up, my daughter met the back up and all was right with the world. I was more relieved than anything to know that I would always be able to go to work because there were potentially two people available to watch my daughter. I think that is the sentiment that my parents now have.

[dave4him]

I take them with me when i go out to get things done, its not as often as it used to be though. I woudnt hve a problem with the main provider going out, thats the reason for having an assistant anyway right

[Former Teacher]

I would have a problem mainly because I am not paying the assistant to watch my child(ren). I am paying the provider.

Not to hijack the thread: What about the providers who have assistants but they don't allow the parents to meet the assistants AKA NannyDe style? I would be even MORE uncomfortable knowing that my child(ren) is with someone I never met.

[Unregistered]

Kind of this. I think as a parent I would like that my provider was being proactive and had coverage for appointments and such. Certainly an improvement over them having to close frequently or ignore their health/well being for work
BUT even though I would feel like what she is doing is none of my business, I would feel a bit odd about the hair/nail appts. I have to make those things for after work, why should they? Nor do I think the constant vacations would be okay.

I do see your point....BUT how many weeks vacation is in the contract? Some providers will provide a backup and specify that they can break their vacations up how they wish. If she's not using MORE than her allotted time (as per contract) it's not your business.

HOWEVER, that said, if she IS using more than her contracted allotted time, then I would be super pissed. I asked my provider to be the babysitter, not her assistant. I entrust my children to the MAIN provider and while I may trust her judgment to choose a qualified assistant, the assistant should not be doing the work of the one who I'm paying. Otherwise, I might as well just hire the assistant full time!

[rhymia1]

I do see your point....BUT how many weeks vacation is in the contract? Some providers will provide a backup and specify that they can break their vacations up how they wish. If she's not using MORE than her allotted time (as per contract) it's not your business.

HOWEVER, that said, if she IS using more than her contracted allotted time, then I would be super pissed. I asked my provider to be the babysitter, not her assistant. I entrust my children to the MAIN provider and while I may trust her judgment to choose a qualified assistant, the assistant should not be doing the work of the one who I'm paying. Otherwise, I might as well just hire the assistant full time!

Oh, I agree - if the provider is upfront.
I'm thinking in the OP's case though that perhaps the provider is not being upfront/honest? Maybe she is though?