Heat and Parents

[TwinKristi]

and the fact that she was so 'concerned' yet left her child there says it all.

This is what gets my goat when I read these posts. If you're calling to file a complaint yet still bring your child, that says a lot about you. Recently a parent posted under unreg about something and complaining and wanting to report but couldn't find someone else yet... Ummm, if you're THAT concerned, you should pull your child. I once had a DCP who I was even friends with you wrote me some long email about how her DD had dried tears on her face and her hair was a little wet and matted like she'd been laid down and left to cry for an extended period of time. I told her in no uncertain terms that if she thinks I'm neglecting her child (which I would view that as neglect) than maybe daycare just isn't for her. I have her 6 mo old baby and another 8 mo old baby to care for and yes, sometimes babies cry. They cry when you change their diaper, they cry when they wake up from a nap, they cry when they need something. This was her first week mind you! She apologized and said she didn't mean to imply I was neglecting her baby and that she understands babies cry and will be more understanding but just kinda panicked. LOL That didn't last long anyway, she realized she wasn't getting the wages she thought she was and with daycare costs and her husband's schedule change it worked out best for her to stay home! I agree! I had almost the same situation with another mom. I just changed her baby's diaper, who hated diaper changes and cried every time. She shows up to get him 10 mins later and asked why he was crying because his eyebrows were puffy. :: Why do babies cry? Hmmm, let me get my LONG list of reasons your baby could have cried in the last 10 mins. I don't know why parents think babies shouldn't cry at daycare but it's ok to cry at home!?

Anywho... got off on a tangent there! I was just talking to my dh about heat, we keep our's at 68* during the day and bump it up if we're chilly and we have a semi-small house, 1700sqft. I can't imagine heating a larger area and even over 75* is too high!! That's crazy! I'm not one to term but I don't take threats lightly and would tell her to find another provider who is wiling to keep their center a sauna for her kid.

[spinnymarie]

Umm, over 80 and we are supposed to take precautions outside to make sure the kids aren't TOO HOT!
I agree, I'd term. Whether she does it or not, she is unreasonable and difficult to work with, and is not worth your time or her money.

[Cradle2crayons]

Yet another awesome reason I'm grateful I'm legally unlicensed.....

[Play Care]

I'm not a termer... But this would have had me thinking on it!!! I wouldn't be playing with threats or calls from a parent- ever! I'm in NYS too- yes... 68 degrees. Which is what it is in my home through the winter. Usually it works up to 70's ...
I guess you really need to ask yourself if the income from this family is worth that! My answer would be a quick NO!

If a parent had a concern and discussed it with me like a rational adult, I'm all ears. When they *threaten* me/my livelihood, they go BUH-BYE.

[countrymom]

so the other day I turned the heat on and I didn't realize it was set at 70 degrees. Holy smokes, you would think a heat wave was in my house, my kids opened the windows because they thought it was too hot.

[momofboys]

Geez I keep my home cold but then I am not required to be licensed or I should say I am legally unlicensed. In the winter I usually keep it at 66-67 unless it is super cold outside then I may bump it up to 68/69. I get too hot if it is up over 68.

[craftymissbeth]

so the other day I turned the heat on and I didn't realize it was set at 70 degrees. Holy smokes, you would think a heat wave was in my house, my kids opened the windows because they thought it was too hot.

This is how I am... My house is usually right on edge of freezing (70) and blistery summer heat (71)

[Blackcat31]

We are in NYS. We are a small center, privately owned- technically a large group daycare as we are in the addition of my home. This past week it has gotten very cold outside and I sent home notices that children needed to come prepared for the day, including winter gear as NYS mandates outside play time every single day. Most of the parents have been compliant, except for a couple who needed to wait until payday (didn't expect it to get so cold so quickly and hadn't planned ahead) or those who flat out couldn't afford it. For those children we have donated items that we received from an outside agency. No big deal.

ONE parent refused to bring the items because she claims she ordered "the special hat from TV with the ears" and it hasn't arrived yet so she isn't buying a second hat in the meantime. I explained that since we have to go outside the child would either need to be picked up at that time or not come at all because the assistant and I both need to be outside to stay in ratio. Miraculously, kid came in all their winter gear yesterday and today.

This morning, however, DCP decided to make a HUGE deal about how cold it was inside the daycare. DCP went on and on about how cold it was and that she "pays enough that we should be able to afford heat..." and "if keeping the kids warm was so important, you'd think we'd have it together inside of our facility." Good point.

Except, it's 72 degrees in here at that time. Well within regs, which really only requires 68 or some similarly low temp. I told DCP that the daycare is an extension of my home and at this time, this early in the year, I don't plan to turn the heat up any higher than 74. At 6:45 AM (the system is automated) it hasn't climbed that high yet because at night we keep it at 67 and we bundle up. Our gas and electric is EXPENSIVE, and I'm heating a 2600 sq. foot home plus the 960 sq. foot addition. It gets costly, and no, daycare is not making enough for it to cover it all. I didn't say all of that, but I was thinking it. DCP ended with, "...and just so you know, I will be calling OCFS on you."

Grrr.... I'm in compliance and I just recertified this past August so I don't really fear the investigation/audit but the inconvenience and the nerve of some people. DCP actually demanded I turn the heat up to 82 because that's what they have it on at home. Who the heck keeps their heat up that high? Seriously. Sorry, DCP. I don't get heating assistance. I pay it all, and until you decide you want to pay a higher copay (because DSS only pays so much) you better believe I'm going to keep the heat exactly where I can afford to, and where it's comfortable for all.

For the record, DCK was wearing layers, a sweatshirt over a long sleeved top. About 20 minutes after arriving DCK was begging to take off the sweatshirt. "Too hot, too hot!"

Raise her rate.

Tell her it's to cover the cost of heating.

Bet she changes her mind pretty quickly.

Seriously though, if she threatened to call CFS on you, I'd be having a direct face to face conversation with her immediately.

No passive-aggressive comments, suggestions or hints about your displeasure in this situation....I'd be VERY upfront about it...

Then I'd show her the door and ask that she not return.

[spud912]

:::: We still have our AIR-CONDITIONING set at 76 degrees....and it still kicks on a few times during the day . 82 degrees would make me so uncomfortable and sweaty! Yuck! We keep the house at 68 in the winter, which means the heater rarely if ever kicks on. I feel for all of you in colder regions and your heat bills. I lovethis our electric bills in the winter! 76 degrees throughout the summer results in some bills close to or at $400 , so winter bills at around $100 are such a relief!!

[Heidi]

Yet another awesome reason I'm grateful I'm legally unlicensed.....

I don't know that this protects you from anything. A disgruntled parent can still call licensing or cps on you. Not saying they should or would. They could. People who want to make trouble for others will find a way!

[daycare]

I thought that I had some crazy parents.....

I would be terming over this....anyone who is threatening the lively hood of my business would be out the door faster than lightening.

I would be telling the DCP, if you feel that you can't work things out with me here and feel the need to report me I think you need to find new care.

I am a really really cold person all the time so I have my set at 70 year round....

[Cradle2crayons]

I don't know that this protects you from anything. A disgruntled parent can still call licensing or cps on you. Not saying they should or would. They could. People who want to make trouble for others will find a way!

No I was referring to the fact I'm not required to keep my temperature on a level set by licensing.

[Cat Herder]

Let her call.

They will tell her that keeping the room between 68-72 is recommended for safe sleep by the SIDS Foundation, CDC, First Candle, etc....

Overheating is one of the biggest risk factors for Sudden Infant Death.

[LK5kids]

How totally silly and irrational of this parent. I have to keep temp at 68 and that is plenty warm enough and I am cold blooded! Every once in awhile I crank it to 70!