Families Not Prepared For Attending Daycare

[Cradle2crayons]

A while ago, I tried leaving cups of water out for the children. It made me have to spend my entire day monitoring and refilling cups of water! The kids obviously weren't really thirsty, they just kept wanting to go back and forth to the cups on the counter to take sips constantly and began running games to see who could get there faster. They would often drink from someone else's cup - which made it so I had to constantly monitor the cups. They also went through 2-3 cups of water for each child per day which made me have to constantly fill up the cups. And of course, from drinking water constantly all day long, they were also spending half the day going to the bathroom!

My basic routine is breakfast 9am (including a drink), circle time, educational activities morning snack 10:30am(including a drink), free-play, educational activities, lunch 12pm(including a drink), nap, snack 3pm(including a drink), free-play, and, if the child is here after 6:00, dinner 6pm (including a drink). Trust me, the children are getting plenty of drinks throughout the day with their meals. They really should not need a drink in between meals here.

I have worked in 3 daycare/preschool centers. The water fountains were in the hallway. I honestly can only remember 1 time when one child asked to get water during class time. It simply didn't happen. The kids just waited for meal time.

lovethis

[countrymom]

the water problem is that even thou we have it all available, it doesn't mean a child needs to keep gulping it down all.day.long. I would have kids who would then flood their diapers and would never eat because they would be full of water. Its called balancing it out.

I have found that its all about the parents now. Parents going on vacation by themselves, having days off by themsleves, going to the grocery store by themselves. I'm finding that children are suppose to be there for show but thats it.

[melilley]

Mine have their names on them, and always, always sit in the exact same spot on the end cap of my kitchen counter, which is where the eating table is, as well. With new kids, or younger kids, I do monitor that they don't take the wrong cup. And I don't do non-lid cups until I'm convinced they won't spill. Usually age 4, maybe even 5. But if an accident happens, it's water, so no real harm. I actually can't remember ever mopping up a spill, though. And I'm going on 20 years.

This is what I do and it works out well, but I only have up to 5 a day so it's pretty easy for me to do. Now, when I worked in a center, we couldn't leave them out. It was too hard to do activities and watch 12 cups all day.

[Blackcat31]

I am required to offer FRESH drinking water if a child wants it. ANYTIME.

I am NOT allowed to leave cups of water sitting out.

When someone takes a sip or drink from their cup (especially a covered or sippy type cup) bacteria gets into the water. Even if it is the child's own germs it is still not something we are advised to do.

Like Blandino, I interpret our rules as water being available meaning I will not deny a child water if he asks or indicates he wants some.

[cheerfuldom]

Honestly I don't think about what a center would offer. The difference between me and the centers is that I love their kid. I think about their kid night and day. I try to figure out every nook and cranny of their needs. I try to raise them to be outstanding humans. I care... a lot.

The schedule is for me. I need it. I have a lot of experience and I know what it takes to get all of us thru the day, week, month, year. I know what's best in my home... in my group. I don't expect parents to understand. They have one kid and five minutes of experience. They don't take care of other people's kids. I do.

thats how I feel. I enjoy getting to know parents but I do get frustrated from parents coming in with an infant and a know-it-all attitude and not recognizing that I have four kids and have cared for children on a full time basis for 6 years and a part time basis for a number of years before that. like you said "five minutes of experience" LOL

[cheerfuldom]

They don't have access ON THEIR DESK at Kinder, but I'll betcha if they raise their hand and tell Teacher they're thirsty, Teacher will see that they get water. Obviously if a kid starts working the teacher, she'll say "wait till recess/potty break/whatever".

Trust me, we don't drink 16 ounces, let alone 100. I realize you were exaggerating . But that's one of the reasons I have the water out at all times. They don't drink enough!

I should add that my DC kids are ages 5-10, but I have always had cups ready and available for 2+ (sippy cups until I feel they're ready to move on up). And they cannot move it from where it lives. I put them on the end cap of my kitchen counter. They drink there, and put the cup back in its spot.

I don't know.... I just feel like it's a basic need, ya know? I would never withhold it. I've never had a parent ask me to limit water, but I've had many, many, many ask me to push or encourage it.

I think the big difference is that you generally care for school agers. My group is ALL under 6 with two under 12 months, and a 2 year old that is physically delayed. There is no way I can keep track of multiple cups with toddlers roaming. plus a special needs 4 year old that still cannot use an open cup. It works for your group, it would never work for mine.

[cheerfuldom]

Listen, I respect the way you do things. I just can't see denying a basic need. I have parents say that they don't think their kids drink enough water, and would I push it. I can't imagine saying, "Oh no, if they ask me between meals, I say no." So it comes down to what we're comfortable with. It's all good!

I do give between meals if they ask and I think many providers do that. but I dont leave cups of water out where anyone can grab at any time. If they ask, I will assist and supervise. and if a parent has a big concern, I will expect them to take the lead on this at home, not pawn it off on me. My kids have breakfast and dinner at home so the parents do more meals than I do, they can certainly "push water" at home.

[cheerfuldom]

I do agree that modern parents are unprepared for group care. But in their defense, it is VERY common for parents these days to have no experience with children before having a child and most families have only one or two kids. The very nature of their home life is in exact opposition to group care. They have no perspective to base off of to gain an understanding of group care for babies to preschool age. WE providers are the ones that have to teach them that before the little ones go to school. I have had so many first time parents and one child homes since beginning daycare so I am not at all surprised by the confusion from parents when their child is not the prince/princess of the daycare. That is why I enjoy working for teachers. They understand the dynamics of group care.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

this thread has brought up a lot of items.
Parents today- yes, I do not think they are prepared for leaving their children in childcare. (a larger number are not prepared to be parents!)
Issues I have been having lately. Lack of disciplining of their princesses at home. They do not want to grow their children up! They keep their bottles, binks, and diapers foreeevveeerrrr! They don't want their kidos wiping their own bottoms. They carry 4 yr olds that are almost as big as they are! They do not teach them to do things for themselves but they want them to know all their letters and start to read but they can't wipe their own bum or put on their own jacket!
Water- I do not leave cups out either- believe me I have to not sit my cup anywhere where kids can reach because the twins will grab it and drink (even coffee!) I give them milk with meals. I keep dixie cups for in between water. During the winter- not as much water. In the summer a lot more water. Whenever we come in from outside I offer water. We drink and toss the cups. Even my 1 yr olds can drink water from a dixie cup.

[Lucy]

I think the big difference is that you generally care for school agers. My group is ALL under 6 with two under 12 months, and a 2 year old that is physically delayed. There is no way I can keep track of multiple cups with toddlers roaming. plus a special needs 4 year old that still cannot use an open cup. It works for your group, it would never work for mine.

Yes, you're absolutely right. Sounds like it wouldn't work in your situation. My group are 5 to 10 right now.

They are not allowed to remove their cup from the area... just stand there, take their drink, and then put it down. When I have younger ones, they use lid cups. All cups are placed in the exact same spot every single time. They have the cup for that whole day, then a clean one the next day. And no, their OWN germs are not harmful to them .

[GoodKarma]

I haven't read all of the posts, yet, so I don't know if anyone mentioned this. The main problem I have had with new infants in the last few years is them not being able to nap in a crib. The parents let them nap in a swing. Since it's usually a year or two in between starting young babies, I somehow forget to discuss this ahead of time.

[Blackcat31]

Yes, you're absolutely right. Sounds like it wouldn't work in your situation. My group are 5 to 10 right now.

They are not allowed to remove their cup from the area... just stand there, take their drink, and then put it down. When I have younger ones, they use lid cups. All cups are placed in the exact same spot every single time. They have the cup for that whole day, then a clean one the next day. And no, their OWN germs are not harmful to them .

I personally drink from my own water bottle the next day sometimes still but unfortunately licensing and public health does not agree with this at daycare.

I don't think it is a big deal at all.

But we were told that the bacteria that begins to form IS harmful to them. Their germs might not be, but the bacteria from their mouths is.

I'll see if I can find the sheet they gave us or a link I can post.

[snbauser]

I personally drink from my own water bottle the next day sometimes still but unfortunately licensing and public health does not agree with this at daycare.

I don't think it is a big deal at all.

But we were told that the bacteria that begins to form IS harmful to them. Their germs might not be, but the bacteria from their mouths is.

I'll see if I can find the sheet they gave us or a link I can post.

When I was a large family daycare (licensed as a center in a residence here), we were not allowed to refill the cups. I could use reusable cups but once they were empty, they needed to be washed and sanitized before we could refill them. I used reusable cups and just had a few extra dixie cups if they finished their water. Now that I am family childcare again (5 or less kids) I am no longer required to follow sanitation rules. My kids all have their own cup on the table with their names on them (I only do 2 1/2 -5 so they can read their names). If they want a drink in between meals/snacks, they can go to the table and get a drink. They are not allowed to walk away from the table with them though. When I have new kids it is a novelty and they drink quite a bit the first few days. After that it isn't as exciting and there are some days they don't even touch them.

[Meeko]

thats how I feel. I enjoy getting to know parents but I do get frustrated from parents coming in with an infant and a know-it-all attitude and not recognizing that I have four kids and have cared for children on a full time basis for 6 years and a part time basis for a number of years before that. like you said "five minutes of experience" LOL

Same here. I have a big problem with daycare parents younger than my own children coming in and trying to tell me how to do things. I sent one on her way because during interview, she asked several times if I was sure I knew how to make formula. Then she wanted to watch me do it.

GET. OUT!

[Blackcat31]

Same here. I have a big problem with daycare parents younger than my own children coming in and trying to tell me how to do things. I sent one on her way because during interview, she asked several times if I was sure I knew how to make formula. Then she wanted to watch me do it.

GET. OUT!

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That was my face when I read that!