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Ok Guys! I am in need of a bit of advice! I am still in the process of being licensed so I can only keep one family of children since I have two of my own. This family has two children and has been driving me nuts for the last 3 months. The oldest child is SA an the other is 3, so she is will me during the day. I told the mom I would keep her babies while she worked until I received my license. I found out last week that mom was off work and out getting pampered and posted pics on FB. I am not licensed yet and I have her 3 year old five days a week faithfully while the other kids are in school. The government does not pay license exempt well enough for just one child and I feel I could be doing other things to prepare for licensing instead of trying to keep her child busy all day. How do you guys handle these kind of situations because I know I cant be the only one. :confused::confused::confused:
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Is this mom on state child care assistance? Why does it matter what rate/fee the government pays? -
I agreed to keep her while she worked. The pay is not enough to make me want to stay home with one child for $15 a day for 10hours a day. I just feel as though she is taking advantage. My agreement was while you worked not M-F open to close. Maybe im looking at it the wrong way but I just wanted to know if anyone else has been through this same encounter. I wouldn't mind if I was licensed and had more kids.Comment
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Oh, I hear you.... I prefer that my parents only use my services while working.
My advice is for you to charge her YOUR rate, regardless of what the assistance program pays.
I would also call her out in her pampering day....let her know that you do NOT appreciate being used while she is not at work and the next time it happens, you will no longer provide services to her.
There are a ton of threads about this here....I'll see if I can find a few and link you to them...they have tons of advice on how to handle non-working parents.
Are you planning on becoming licensed or just to keep doing it legally unlicensed?Comment
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My view of Facebook is that if you can see it, it is free game. Therefore, tell mom about the pictures. What about adding an out-of-pocket fee? For example, if mom wants to not work and have no kids, then charge an extra$15 out of her pocket. It won't help you now, but in the future. You can include it in her contract. That way, next time a parent pulls that you can say "i see you had a lovely day at the spa. Just a gentle reminder, it will be an extra $15 since you didn't go to work".
I always confront parents. When they drop off there kids I ask when they are going to work, if they have a day off especially if it is obvious.. I usually sound this way so it doesn't sound like I am fishing too much. When they do have a day off, I say "that is so nice you get a break!" than they stutter and say something like "yeah I am just going to catch up on a few errands" "oh ok, what time should we expect you?" again, they stutter and the kid is usually picked up early!Comment
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LOL! I like that idea!! I am still in the process of becoming licensed. Didn't think it would take so long. Thanks for the advice.Oh, I hear you.... I prefer that my parents only use my services while working.
My advice is for you to charge her YOUR rate, regardless of what the assistance program pays.
I would also call her out in her pampering day....let her know that you do NOT appreciate being used while she is not at work and the next time it happens, you will no longer provide services to her.
There are a ton of threads about this here....I'll see if I can find a few and link you to them...they have tons of advice on how to handle non-working parents.
Are you planning on becoming licensed or just to keep doing it legally unlicensed?Comment
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In my state (NY) the second they knew she wasn't at work they wouldn't pay me!Comment
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I have several families on assistance. It is made VERY clear to them that the program is to be used for work hours ONLY. If I find out they are abusing the program, I will report and term.
My state assistance program pays only a portion of what I charge. The parent has to pay the difference.
Here is what my handbook says about the assistance program. (Here it is called CCAP) You are welcome to use any or all of my wording if you decide to address this mom
via conversation or e-mail/letter
CCAP
If your family participates with CCAP for child care payments you will be responsible for any amounts they do not cover for services, late fees, and absences etc.
It is your responsibility as the recipient of this funding to know the rules and policies of the program.
NO services will be provided without a current copy of your CCAP service agreement or direct verification from your case worker or payment in full before services.
Please remember that the assistance program is only meant to provide you with assistance in paying for your child care payments. It is NOT intended to cover the cost completely.
Parents will be responsible for ALL costs and fees not covered by the assistance program, such as non-paid holidays and the provider's two weeks of vacation per year.
The 'co-pay' and 'parent fee' are two separate amounts and will be due every other Friday, IN ADVANCE of the next two weeks of care. If at any point you lose eligibility for the assistance program, you will be responsible for all tuition fees IN FULL before additional services will be provided.
It is also important to remember that the CCAP program is meant to provide financial assistance to you while you are at work, school or seeking employment. It is not designed so that you can run errands or spend time at home while your child is at child care.
If at any time I feel you are abusing the CCAP program, I will report my suspicions to the ABC County Department of Health and Human Services as mandated to do per my licensing rules and regulations.Last edited by Blackcat31; 09-17-2013, 08:27 AM.Comment
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Thank you guys so much!! You just don't know how much you have helped me!! I was so discouraged this morning, but I know that there are some things I must learn. Thanks for all of you tips and advice! You guys are WONDERFUL!!!Comment
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I do accept it - but probably because I was in that situation at one point in my life and if I had not done daycare I would have still wanted quality care for my sons. Fortunately tho I can charge the diff between my rate and what the state pays- I don't know if I would accept it other wise.
And now of course the union takes out of the state payments!
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You need to have a policy/hand/rule book and contract. Doesn't matter if you are not licensed yet, you are in the process. These things are a must and the first things you should do in my 3cents. The next thing you need is a backbone to implement your rules and not let people walk on you. If you don't want kids in your care when the parent is not working or in school put that in your policy/hand/rule book and contract. Having a daycare is a ton of work and you become a legit business. You need to carry yourself as a business so you are not walked over. This advice was the best advice ever offered to me Welcome and good luck with your new journey-
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I don't charge my current one for absent days, she just pays $5 extra per week on top of her co-pay to cover some of it. It doesn't really wash, though.
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