911 *** Termination Help***

[Heidi]

Not singling you out MissBeth, but this is similar to the thread about the allergies and birthday cake at school.

It seems the easy answer would be for the party with the issue to have to figure it out since it is their belief that is causing the "problem"...kwim?

But the consensus on the other thread is that if one person can't do something then no one should.

I know we are talking about private child care and not the public school system but for most of us, working towards inclusive care, this is a topic we should be prepared for...kwim?

Here is the other thread I was referencing
https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69017

My handbook says that we celebrate typical Christian Holidays and Birthdays, but do not provide religious instruction. So, we put up a tree (hey, it's my house), give little gifts, and play some Christmas music. We have cupcakes, sing Happy Birthday, and kiddo gets a little something from me, but nothing too crazy.

If a client had a problem with that, I'd say they either choose another childcare OR they can remove their child for any celebrations. We always do any "parties" after pm nap, so they'd just need to pick up early.

If someone enrolled that wanted to share their own customs with us, I would welcome it, as long as it's a positive, loving belief. For example, if it required animal sacrifice, I'd draw the line. My sister had a little girl who's moms (plural) were Wickens (sp). It was kind of cute watching all her daycare kids literally hugging trees. :: I haven't had anything quite so diverse myself. I think there've been a few Athiests, but no one has objected to the somewhat secular version of holidays we've had.

[KidGrind]

I 100% think the OP did the right thing. I respect her course of action.

I operate a little differently.

[Blackcat31]

My handbook says that we celebrate typical Christian Holidays and Birthdays, but do not provide religious instruction. So, we put up a tree (hey, it's my house), give little gifts, and play some Christmas music. We have cupcakes, sing Happy Birthday, and kiddo gets a little something from me, but nothing too crazy.

If a client had a problem with that, I'd say they either choose another childcare OR they can remove their child for any celebrations. We always do any "parties" after pm nap, so they'd just need to pick up early.

If someone enrolled that wanted to share their own customs with us, I would welcome it, as long as it's a positive, loving belief. For example, if it required animal sacrifice, I'd draw the line. My sister had a little girl who's moms (plural) were Wickens (sp). It was kind of cute watching all her daycare kids literally hugging trees. :: I haven't had anything quite so diverse myself. I think there've been a few Athiests, but no one has objected to the somewhat secular version of holidays we've had.

That is how I would normally handle this issue as well but upon further reading of our QRIS standards and the NAEYC statements on inclusive child care, it seems that how we are both handling this is not necessarily correct....kwim?

I know that a lot of providers work in centers or are centers that have to follow most of the inclusion rules and although private family child care may not have gotten there yet, I do think that is part of the direction we are all heading.

Inclusion for everyone.

[sharlan]

Just my personal opinion..........

If a parent doesn't want their child included in parties, then they need to make other arrangements for that day.

Back in grade school - 50 years ago - we had a little girl that always disappeared right after lunch on days we had parties. There wasn't an issue made, nothing was said. It wasn't until we hit 5th or 6th grade when somebody finally asked why so and so was never at the parties. The teacher said something simple like her religion doesn't allow her to attend parties and that ended the discussion.

[Laurel]

I used to sub for our school librarian before doing child care. One little girl used to not celebrate birthday's so she came to library. She liked to help me but she didn't really have to. That was a win-win because she was really a big help.

[craftymissbeth]

Not singling you out MissBeth, but this is similar to the thread about the allergies and birthday cake at school.

It seems the easy answer would be for the party with the issue to have to figure it out since it is their belief that is causing the "problem"...kwim?

But the consensus on the other thread is that if one person can't do something then no one should.

I know we are talking about private child care and not the public school system but for most of us, working towards inclusive care, this is a topic we should be prepared for...kwim?

Here is the other thread I was referencing
https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69017

I see what you're saying. But if holiday/birthday parties are a part of OP's program and parents know about it before they sign on then why would OP be responsible for rearranging everything around this one child?

I do think, though, that I would be leaning towards stopping parties altogether. This whole situation sounds like way more hassle than I would want to put up with. ****s, but way too much work and stress to rearrange life around one child. And yes, I know there are many situations where we would be required to do exactly that (allergies, medical conditions, etc.).

[Meeko]

This is why I don't "do" birthdays. That way it's fair to everyone and they can do as much or as little as they want on THEIR time.

[CraftyMom]

Just curious what is considered a birthday party? Do you go all out and have a full party? Or just cupcakes or cookies and sing happy birthday at snack?

[KSDC]

We don't have a full-on party. Some of my parents bring a special snack to share, others don't. We do sing happy birthday at snack time. And I give them a present from me. But, they open it right before their pickup time and have to take it home to play with.

[My3cents]

I respect everyone's way of doing things, but here is how I see it.

I do Birthdays, but my own thing. I buy the child a present to take home, we have cupcakes, mini cupcakes. I make the child a hat. We sing to the child. I let the child be first or special for the day- Anything beyond that is up the parent to do at home.

I celebrate Holidays and interest of others so long as they are not wacked out and crazy. We celebrated Chinese New Year. The kids went home saying Gung Hay Fat Choy and they had homemade china food, sang songs. I think we did an art project.

My take on this is I do what I want to do and I subject the kids to a wide variety of things. I make it clear at interviews that I celebrate most Holidays.

I would not allow a parent to tell me what I am going to do- or talk to me rudely. If they want to be the boss they need to hire a Nanny-

[My3cents]

forgot to add........ I am not Chinese. I celebrate Christmas. I am all for learning about other cultures customs and ways- again as long as they are not cray cray crazy-

[spud912]

I respect everyone's way of doing things, but here is how I see it.

I do Birthdays, but my own thing. I buy the child a present to take home, we have cupcakes, mini cupcakes. I make the child a hat. We sing to the child. I let the child be first or special for the day- Anything beyond that is up the parent to do at home.

I celebrate Holidays and interest of others so long as they are not wacked out and crazy. We celebrated Chinese New Year. The kids went home saying Gung Hay Fat Choy and they had homemade china food, sang songs. I think we did an art project.

My take on this is I do what I want to do and I subject the kids to a wide variety of things. I make it clear at interviews that I celebrate most Holidays.

I would not allow a parent to tell me what I am going to do- or talk to me rudely. If they want to be the boss they need to hire a Nanny-

That's me too. Dr. Seuss' birthday party this Friday happyface!

[CraftyMom]

That's me too. Dr. Seuss' birthday party this Friday happyface!

Me too! Monday for Dr Seuss