Im Probably Going Soft. Is It Unreasonable...

[Heidi]

LOL! :hug: You KNOW I feel the same way....remember I am the one that ALWAYS posts about how unprofessional I feel it is to wear yoga pants to work....

I was trying to answer from OP's perspective. I know *most* family providers are in this field for much different reasons than I am and operate on a much more family-like level compared to me.

I have a hard time remembering that many providers DO operate as a family unit, including DCK's. Many providers do go above and beyond what's required and although that really isn't my style...I do try to keep that thought in the forefront of my mind while replying.

Anyways... Just wanted you to know I too am sensitive to the whole professionalism vs personal styles of caregiving and that there is always more than one right way to get the job done.

Out of necessity alone, I've changed how I do things too. If I had a separate daycare area (or house), I certainly wouldn't leave it to go make dinner. It's only because I don't (have a separate area) that I can.

There are a lot of "ifs" that make each situation unique. I've really taken MORE of a personal/family approach because that is what the market here dictates. Unfortunately, the "state" doesn't give a fig about what my customer want. They have their own agenda. Of course, we've already discussed that to death.

Edited to add: Now that I think about it, it's catch-22. The customer wants personalized, family care (because the centers here are gross, and I am not exaggerating), but the customer would not like their child having to wait while the provider attends to family stuff. Whether it's dinner, laundry, or whatever. Not saying this specific customer. She's a peach. I just also know she has a soft heart, and would probably never speak up if something bothered her.

[nannyde]

I just see a picture:The last 15 minutes of business hours in some shop. A seller is making her makeup before to finish work and go home. A customer asks her to give him some help but the seller answers, "it is the last 15 minutes of my work and I want to spend it for my makeup. Go and find what you need by yourself"

kwim?

I don't know if this is a comparable analogy. I charge four dollars an hour on top of my base rate for hours after three pm. If I had this child from 445 to 5 pm by herself I would be getting a dollar every day for that fifteen minutes. It's just not enough to pay me to do one to one care. We need to look at the salary per kid per hour and realize that the rate isn't enough to do that level of work. No other business would do that kind of one to one service for a buck a day or 5 bucks a week for 1.25 hours of one to one.

I am a BIG proponent of getting ALL household work done when the kids are on site and when they are awake. Nap time and after work time should be free for rest. Evening should be free for family and rest.

Now there are a few things I have done during nap. About two to four hours a week I have my assistant clean areas of my home that the kids don't use. Other than bathrooms, my room, my sons room and hallways, all the rest of the house is done while the kids are awake.

I cook on the weekend for my son. During the week I cook while the kids are awake. Supper is ready before they leave. Laundry is done and the kitchen is done.

There are a few key business decisions I made twenty years ago when I started doing child care that I attribute to the long and prosperous career in a field where most businesses fail within the first two years.

1) Get everything done that can be done while the kids are awake.
2) Protect nap time. I don't provide service to children who don't need a FULL afternoon nap.
3) Invest in toys that stand the test of time and do not require adult involvement to play.
4) Go play toys. From the day they can reach and bring toys to their mouth they play.

[Heidi]

I don't know if this is a comparable analogy. I charge four dollars an hour on top of my base rate for hours after three pm. If I had this child from 445 to 5 pm by herself I would be getting a dollar every day for that fifteen minutes. It's just not enough to pay me to do one to one care. We need to look at the salary per kid per hour and realize that the rate isn't enough to do that level of work. No other business would do that kind of one to one service for a buck a day or 5 bucks a week for 1.25 hours of one to one.

I am a BIG proponent of getting ALL household work done when the kids are on site and when they are awake. Nap time and after work time should be free for rest. Evening should be free for family and rest.

Now there are a few things I have done during nap. About two to four hours a week I have my assistant clean areas of my home that the kids don't use. Other than bathrooms, my room, my sons room and hallways, all the rest of the house is done while the kids are awake.

I cook on the weekend for my son. During the week I cook while the kids are awake. Supper is ready before they leave. Laundry is done and the kitchen is done.

There are a few key business decisions I made twenty years ago when I started doing child care that I attribute to the long and prosperous career in a field where most businesses fail within the first two years.

1) Get everything done that can be done while the kids are awake.
2) Protect nap time. I don't provide service to children who don't need a FULL afternoon nap.
3) Invest in toys that stand the test of time and do not require adult involvement to play.
4) Go play toys. From the day they can reach and bring toys to their mouth they play.

There are constant, constant discussions about low wages, long hours, and other challenges of doing childcare. There needs to be a trade-off, IMO, or why do it? The love of children? nah. I liked my bank customers, too. They were, for them most part, very nice people.

I do childcare because it gives me and income AND allows me to take care of my family. It's definitely a challenge some days, but that's what I need out of it.