WWYD? Car Seat Situation

[cheerfuldom]

Oh yes, I also have a transportation form that I require them to sign. She signed it upon enrollment, but wrote down that she must know in advance if we were to go anywhere. I have no problems with that. I understand that a parent would want to know where their child is at all times. I, too, discuss with all of my parents that I never take them on errands unless something comes up and it's absolutely necessary; in which case I inform them in advance.

I never thought about purchasing my own and charging her for it after giving her a hard deadline. I might just do that. But then, could she refuse to pay because I purchased one that was too expensive? If I'm going to purchase one myself, it's going to be a Radian, and I doubt she wants a $200+ bill! LOL

you can find much more economical options than a Radian and that still have great safety reviews.

but besides that, I personally purchase car seats for my daycare use because what some parents bring in is scary to say the least. Again, I dont go with Radian though or anything else that is bulky, expensive or otherwise not daycare friendly

[jojosmommy]

Can you get a grant? I my area you could write a grant for $to buy a safe seat.

[Lilbutterflie]

With something like this, it quickly becomes an issue of whether or not you're able to pick up your daughter from school if she's sick. And I don't know about you, but envisioning my child sick at school waiting for me when I can't come? That breaks my heart . I would hate to have that possibility be completely dependent on a daycare parent's adherence to my policies, kwim?

I think I would refuse care until getting a carseat. You've already told dcm that it's a requirement. She's breaking your contract by not providing one.

But after that, I'd consider raising registration fees to cover carseats too .

That's another thing that bothers me about the situation. She is the only one with the carseat in her car- dad doesn't have one. Fortunately for them, they live around the block about a half mile; and if DCD needs to pick her up, he walks with a stroller to pick her up. However, if it's raining or bad weather; picking her up isn't an option- mom has to do it. Well, mom is a teacher. She has point blank told me she cannot leave right away, so I need to contact DCD in an emergency. But if there is an emergency AND bad weather- there is no one to pick her up because HE doesn't even have a carseat!!

[Lilbutterflie]

The main thing that worries me about purchasing one myself is liability. Moms around here tend to purchase the high end, expensive, cream of the crop car seats. Radian, Britax, etc... Nothing wrong with that, but if I purchase it from my own limited income, it won't be one of those. Then, if I get in a wreck and heaven forbid a child get injured, they can put it on me for supplying a "low quality" carseat. Even if the injury had nothing to do with the carseat- they can still try to take me to court for it and ruin my business. I feel MUCH more comfortable if the parents provide their own.

And I feel like we are getting side tracked- she knew about supplying a carseat before she enrolled. If she didn't like it, she should have chosen another daycare.

[itlw8]

That teacher award I posted might just be the thing for you. Write up a grant proposal on Safety. get carseats for the whole group.

[Crazy8]

I agree with the posts that say you should provide the carseats - its one thing to buy a spare set of clothes for a daycare that never get used but its another to provide an expensive carseat that MAY only be used once in a while.

BUT mom did sign the contract stating she needs to provide one so she either provide it or find care elsewhere. Honestly, I wouldn't choose a provider who required me to leave a carseat at their home. It's your business and you can do it how you wish but I'd consider that a business expense and just right it off.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Well, she is a very large 15 month old. She's not in an infant seat anymore where you can just remove it from the base and easily transport it. I don't believe carseats should be uninstalled and installed daily- it's too dangerous. That's why I require one to be left here.

That's very true, plus who is to say Mom couldn't be running a little behind one day and say she didn't have time to uninstall the other carseat. There are too many factors that play into using the same carseat at both places. Smart choice to have one for each!

I'm sorry that Mom is not being cooperative. But, there is no such thing as a low quality carseat. They all have to pass the same standards, some just have a harness that goes up to a higher weight. Don't stress yourself out about that! You can buy less expensive "versions" of the Britax and Radian for $150 (The First Years True Fit) and under $100 (an Evenflo seat) if you really wanted to. But, I don't know that you would have this child until they were 65 lbs so it really doesn't matter what seat you get so long as it keeps the kiddo harnessed for a good, long time. ::
The Cosco Scenera at Walmart is $39. http://www.walmart.com/search/search...onstraint=5427

I think I'd ask her one more time and let her know that if it doesn't come by Thursday, like others suggested, buy it and bill her.

[crazydaycarelady]

I agree that if you want to go places you should provide the seats. It's part of doing business. A lot of parents already have to buy two seats, one for moms car and one for dads car, buying a third seat seems ridiculous to me, especially one that will rarely be used.

[DaisyMamma]

How strange.
Why are they so cheap and weird about carseats?
Give her a hard deadline.

[daycarediva]

I am a car seat safety NUT. That being said, I would NEVER purchase a car seat for daycare. I will only allow my kids in the best seat, and CORRECTLY installed. This issue, and reason I wouldn't have enrolled my child to begin with is not about cost (even though that's up there, especially for occassional use) is proper installation and fit.

Do you install and remove the seats as needed or are they always installed? In the last 4 years I have only uninstalled a car seat for DS to adjust the straps, and then to turn him FF when he reached the maximum at 3 1/2.

I don't want to start a car seat debate, but I am guessing it is either a cost issue AND/OR a safety concern of DCM's and you will probably lose her as a client. She never should have enrolled to begin with.

Oh, and I have a hard enough time getting parents to buy a set of good waterproof gloves & hat to leave here.... let alone a car seat! ::

[daycarediva]

Should have added---- each of my daycare kids have transportation permission slips with me. I provide carseats. When Britax discontinues a pattern, you can get them for $179. All of my kids are in Marathons, purchased & installed by me and inspected by a car seat safety technician.

[Country Kids]

I have parents provide car seats and it has never been a problem. I would rather they buy hte kind they like and prefer. I have a few that are so buckled up they can barely move from all the buckles/clips and straps. Then I have some that it is a basick carseat with a five point harness.

I do provide the booster seats though as they are pretty basic!

[Nickel]

I personally give them the option. BUT I will say I prefer a car seat I am comfortable with. I've never used Britax before (it's just out of my price range. Even at $179!) But I love my Graco my Ride 65. I would love all my children to have one, but realistically, they all wouldn't fit properly in my vehicle. I know my seats are installed correctly. Most of the time, the seats are NOT installed correctly in parent's vehicles. I am BIG on car seat safety as well. I opted to provide my own because I know what works best for my vehicle. AND many times parents don't even have their child in the correct seat!!! Like a booster seat for a 2 yr old!!! I have convertable seats with the latch and parents are free to check the installation and verify that everything is good. I just like to have one I am comfortable with because you get a better installation when you know the seat, kwim? A car seat isn't worth much without proper installation.

but in your situation I am betting that either dcm either a) doesn't want you actually taking dck anywhere and doesn't want to say anything or b)financially cannot provide the seat. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if dck is suddenly "sick" on Friday.

[daycare]

I have not read all of the replies, but communication is key. I would not let this get one step further. I would get on the phone right now and tell DCM per our contract, sussie needs a car seat that will be left here by drop off tomorrow morning. If you can not provide one by this time, I will purchase one for you of my choice and you will be billed for it. I will discontinue all care for your child until you either provide me with a car seat that can be left here for her, or you have paid me in full for the purchase of a new car seat, plus a $20.00 shopping/gas fee for my time and gas.

If the DCM does not want her child to go, then she needs to find a different daycare. DONT let one child stop you from how you want to run your childcare. We have major field trips every week, some up to an hour or more away. All of my parents love this about my program. HOWEVER, when I have new people calling looking for care a lot of them are not ok with it. They will tell me this and I will tell them well then I am not the daycare for you....

good luck with this..

Also, I have 12 kids and I provide all carseats. they are always installed and I never have to take them in and out, as it is a huge hassle. Well except to clean them.

[familyschoolcare]

KSo if they give you a carseat everyday what difference does it make if they take it back every day. I have some parents buy a carseat for me and others take the one out of their car everyday.