Sorry More Questions

[Country Kids]

This is another "STARS" rule we would have to do. Remember this is for in home childcare.

• adults do not use electronic media for personal use during the care day

Is this saying that you can't have the tv, radio on while kids are there. Would this mean you can't sit and watch tv or listen to the radio during naptime? Probably not the computor either from the wording.


Now, from the way I'm reading this one, it sounds as if the families get to help you decide how the program will be run and what policies will be put into place. I guess I'm thinking, this is my business that I have built up, all I need is parents start feeling they can have a say in the way the business is run. This is also a home run business and I'm not really going to have enough parents to serve on advisory groups or probably will even want to.

Families attend family meetings and/or serve on advisory groups to provide input on program and policy decisions.

[originalkat]

It sounds like that is exactly what it is saying. Wow. That just wouldn't fly in my house...especially the computer.

I will be honest with you...Our state has some ridiculous rules for its rating system (KQRS). You have to be chosen to even participate in it anyway because it is based on funding, but I went to the informational meeting I chose NOT to do it. Instead I am going to get NAFCC accredited.

[Lyss]

This is another "STARS" rule we would have to do. Remember this is for in home childcare.

• adults do not use electronic media for personal use during the care day

Is this saying that you can't have the tv, radio on while kids are there. Would this mean you can't sit and watch tv or listen to the radio during naptime? Probably not the computor either from the wording.

:confused: no radio or computer @ nap?!? What?! That makes nap 2.5hrs of torture! I usually plug my ipod in and listen to music while I check this board, scan online, or get afternoon stuff together during nap, the kids all sleep in another room (I check on them every 10 minutes) so overhearing isn't an issue (plus it's not offensive/foul language music!) is but apparently that is not the issue. I'm assuming this includes cell phones and texting as well.

Now, from the way I'm reading this one, it sounds as if the families get to help you decide how the program will be run and what policies will be put into place. I guess I'm thinking, this is my business that I have built up, all I need is parents start feeling they can have a say in the way the business is run. This is also a home run business and I'm not really going to have enough parents to serve on advisory groups or probably will even want to.

Families attend family meetings and/or serve on advisory groups to provide input on program and policy decisions.

I'm hoping this in is regards to the STARS program itself not actually our specific programs. If my parents made policy decisions there'd be no late fees and they'd drop off & pick up whenever they felt like it

[Country Kids]

:confused: no radio or computer @ nap?!? What?! That makes nap 2.5hrs of torture! I'm assuming this includes cell phones and texting as well.



I'm hoping this in is regards to the STARS program itself not actually our specific programs. If my parents made policy decisions there'd be no late fees and they'd drop off & pick up whenever they felt like it

Well in a round about way the "STARS" program does become your program.

The "STARS" program covers handbook/policies/surveys/education/etc.

If you need a link to it Lyss, I can send you one or you can google it for our state. It is voluntary but in the long run I feel it will be something everyone has to participate in if you want to be considered for childcare.

[Lyss]

Well in a round about way the "STARS" program does become your program.

The "STARS" program covers handbook/policies/surveys/education/etc.

If you need a link to it Lyss, I can send you one or you can google it for our state. It is voluntary but in the long run I feel it will be something everyone has to participate in if you want to be considered for childcare.

Valid point!

I agree this is probably going to become the new standard

I had the link bookmarked but just got a new computer 2 weeks ago and not all my bookmarks transferred including that one so if you could send me the link when you get some time I'd appreciate it!

[Country Kids]

Valid point!

I agree this is probably going to become the new standard

I had the link bookmarked but just got a new computer 2 weeks ago and not all my bookmarks transferred including that one so if you could send me the link when you get some time I'd appreciate it!

OK, I'll PM it to you-

[melilley]

I didn't realize that the STARS program was different from state to state. I actually just did a self survey a couple of months ago and only rated a 1! I was disappointed, but they did send out a survey about the program AND low and behold, they are going to let us redo our assessment! (ours is valid for 2 years and you can't redo it until the 2 year mark). They are even coming out with a technical assistance manual because a lot of the requirements were very vague! To me, some of the requirements were almost impossible to do in a FCC! Some of them seemed impossible, but I had someone from the program contact me and some of the stuff is easy to do, I just didn't think of it or didn't think it would count. Sorry to talk about something else, I just think it's interesting how it works in different states!

[Heidi]

Yes...it means exactly what it says!

The electronic one may eventually include an exception for naptime (after all, most providers use it for food program, communicating with families, etc). You may have to fight for that during those informational meetings. Wisconsin has made a number of changes to the inititial system because providers and technical consultants went :confused:. Show up at every meeting and say what you need to say! Don't talk in terms of emotions, though...be 100% professional and say "in order to do my job effectively and best serve my families, I need.. things like that

We also get points for family input. In family childcare, having a "parent advisory committee" is absolutely ridiculous. Seriously. It's a customer service, yes, but YOU run your program, not you parent comittee. Lol...maybe they can vote to fire you and bring in an new teacher to your house? ::::::

Seriously, though..

there are some areas where you will just take a "hit" and not get those points. If it's like our system, you can pick and choose some things and still get enough points to be a high-star program. You don't need to follow the details 100%. There are some non-negotiable things (like education level), but we providers are working on getting that modified. (see my post "wisconsin providers")

[nannyde]

This is another "STARS" rule we would have to do. Remember this is forexperience or education thn home childcare.

• adults do not use electronic media for personal use during the care day

Is this saying that you can't have the tv, radio on while kids are there. Would this mean you can't sit and watch tv or listen to the radio during naptime? Probably not the computor either from the wording.


Now, from the way I'm reading this one, it sounds as if the families get to help you decide how the program will be run and what policies will be put into place. I guess I'm thinking, this is my business that I have built up, all I need is parents start feeling they can have a say in the way the business is run. This is also a home run business and I'm not really going to have enough parents to serve on advisory groups or probably will even want to.

Families attend family meetings and/or serve on advisory groups to provide input on program and policy decisions.

I would never allow the State to entertain any aspect of what electronics I use and when. This is my house and I pay the bills. None of their beeswax.

I would also NEVER have a parent advisory committee. The longest any of my current parents have been a parent is 4.5 years and some have been parents for a year or less. They don't have the experience as parents or the education to advise me in business or child care. One of my 13 parents has experience and education in early child care. I know enough to run things by her when I need some advise.

In my 20 years of home child care I have only had a small handful of parents who have had either experience or education that I could rely upon to make decisions. I wouldn't want to be obligated to take advice or even consider advice from the vast majority of clients.

I have had excellent parents over my two decades of doing this but very few could sit in that seat. They are not experienced in child care, group child care, or the child care business.

I fly the friendly skies but I have no business being on an airline advisory committee. I couldn't offer anything to their business.

[Country Kids]

Yes...it means exactly what it says!

The electronic one may eventually include an exception for naptime (after all, most providers use it for food program, communicating with families, etc). You may have to fight for that during those informational meetings. Wisconsin has made a number of changes to the inititial system because providers and technical consultants went :confused:. Show up at every meeting and say what you need to say! Don't talk in terms of emotions, though...be 100% professional and say "in order to do my job effectively and best serve my families, I need.. things like that

We also get points for family input. In family childcare, having a "parent advisory committee" is absolutely ridiculous. Seriously. It's a customer service, yes, but YOU run your program, not you parent comittee. Lol...maybe they can vote to fire you and bring in an new teacher to your house? ::::::

Seriously, though..

there are some areas where you will just take a "hit" and not get those points. If it's like our system, you can pick and choose some things and still get enough points to be a high-star program. You don't need to follow the details 100%. There are some non-negotiable things (like education level), but we providers are working on getting that modified. (see my post "wisconsin providers")

We have to be straight across the board with for what we get for "STARS". The media one and parent advisory are both for "3 STARS". So I can't take a hit on anything with the "STARS".

1 STAR-Pretty much nothing
2 Stars-Working on program
3 STARS-Low expectations
4 STARS-Midrange Expectations
5 STARS-Highest Expectations

So if you don't hit one area all the way across the board you are knocked down to the lower STAR level.

[blandino]

i would never allow the state to entertain any aspect of what electronics i use and when. This is my house and i pay the bills. None of their beeswax.

I would also never have a parent advisory committee. The longest any of my current parents have been a parent is 4.5 years and some have been parents for a year or less. They don't have the experience as parents or the education to advise me in business or child care. One of my 13 parents has experience and education in early child care. I know enough to run things by her when i need some advise.

In my 20 years of home child care i have only had a small handful of parents who have had either experience or education that i could rely upon to make decisions. I wouldn't want to be obligated to take advice or even consider advice from the vast majority of clients.

I have had excellent parents over my two decades of doing this but very few could sit in that seat. They are not experienced in child care, group child care, or the child care business.

I fly the friendly skies but i have no business being on an airline advisory committee. I couldn't offer anything to their business.

amen !!

[AmyKidsCo]

Wow - scary!

In WI our program is called YoungStar and is voluntary. I opted out (until they drag me in, kicking and screaming) but I've been told by YS advisors and raters that you don't have to get ALL the points in EVERY section - you can choose to take less points in one section then work hard to get more points in another section, and still end up with a high rating. Maybe you can do something similar??

[nanglgrl]

I would never allow the State to entertain any aspect of what electronics I use and when. This is my house and I pay the bills. None of their beeswax.

I would also NEVER have a parent advisory committee. The longest any of my current parents have been a parent is 4.5 years and some have been parents for a year or less. They don't have the experience as parents or the education to advise me in business or child care. One of my 13 parents has experience and education in early child care. I know enough to run things by her when I need some advise.

In my 20 years of home child care I have only had a small handful of parents who have had either experience or education that I could rely upon to make decisions. I wouldn't want to be obligated to take advice or even consider advice from the vast majority of clients.

I have had excellent parents over my two decades of doing this but very few could sit in that seat. They are not experienced in child care, group child care, or the child care business.

I fly the friendly skies but I have no business being on an airline advisory committee. I couldn't offer anything to their business.

:::: What's your view of the QRS system in Iowa Nanny D? You can pm me if you want. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I'm just interested in your opinion.

[Lucy]

I am a One Star provider, and PROUD of it!!

For me, it makes zero difference whether I have ANY stars. I get my clients through newspaper ads and bulletin boards at the grocery store. They're not finding me through my local CCR&R, so an arbitrary rating system means nothing to them, or to me.

I'm NOT letting outsiders tell me what, when, how or why regarding how I run my program.

LOUD AND PROUD!! I am soooo against this system. (Can you tell???)

::

That's why I picked the above avatar.

[itlw8]

could you set up a system for the parents to volunteer like helping with playground projects, I list things on OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND PARENTS donate if they can, kleenex paper etc so they are involved in the program.

You state the need and they help find a solution, increase rates, fundraising, donations, all ways to be involved.