Personal Outings On DC Time

[midaycare]

Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking the kids to a nearby school event. Our school is a 7 minute walk away and would do it if I felt 4-5 toddlers wouldn't disrupt what we were going to. I closed for my son's promotion ceremony earlier this month for the first time!! It was awesome! I felt great about it since I gave parents ample notice. Now I have a sub I can use for doctor/dentist appts and don't have to take kids with me or have dh take off work anymore. I pay her $10/hr so $20 usually covers the appt and it's totally worth it! I even took my son a couple places since we finished early last time. He was so happy!

I use a sub so I don't have to close and don't have to take the dc kids with me. It works great and I am much more relaxed than having to take so many kids out! I don't think there's anything wrong with it either. I just prefer to keep the dc kids in the dc and use a sub.

[TwinKristi]

I use a sub so I don't have to close and don't have to take the dc kids with me. It works great and I am much more relaxed than having to take so many kids out! I don't think there's anything wrong with it either. I just prefer to keep the dc kids in the dc and use a sub.

Yeah it's taken me 18mos to find a suitable sub though and it's wouldn't have been cost effective back when I only had 2 kids. Subs aren't easy to find here.

[midaycare]

Yeah it's taken me 18mos to find a suitable sub though and it's wouldn't have been cost effective back when I only had 2 kids. Subs aren't easy to find here.

Here either. I'm just really lucky things fell into place. For now, anyway. You know how dc works - one month it's great, the next who knows?

[Sunchimes]

I tell parents at the start that I run my dc like it was my grandkids. No one has ever objected. In fact, I was recently talking to a mom about something we were going to do the next day, like going to the bank or the courthouse or something. She said that they had always liked the fact that I took the kids places that weren't "field trips." Without me, the kids wouldn't know how to behave in community places like the courthouse or the library or the bank.

I've taken my kids on all of my normal errands. When my step-dad died, I felt an obligation to go see my sister (she was close to him, I wasn't) who lives about 80 miles away. I only had one child that day, so I loaded her in the car and we went to see my sister for a couple of hours. I would have taken her to the funeral if her mom needed me to, just like I would have taken a grandchild. They've been to family Easter parties, family reunions, cemetery work days, and visits to my husband's client's offices. He has a very informal business, and the people just took the kids in like their own. I have a family reunion coming up on the 4th and they have already asked me how many kids I'm bringing. For a few years, our extended family was in a childless gap. The grandkids were pre-teens or teens, and there were no small children. My dcks filled that gap. Now, we have 1 small child and the family wants me to bring a dck to play with him. I'm off that day, but I'm thinking of borrowing a couple to take with me. Parades are so much more fun with a kid.

My style wouldn't work for most providers, but I've built in enough flexibility that it works well for us.

[sahm1225]

I tell parents at the start that I run my dc like it was my grandkids. No one has ever objected. In fact, I was recently talking to a mom about something we were going to do the next day, like going to the bank or the courthouse or something. She said that they had always liked the fact that I took the kids places that weren't "field trips." Without me, the kids wouldn't know how to behave in community places like the courthouse or the library or the bank.

I've taken my kids on all of my normal errands. When my step-dad died, I felt an obligation to go see my sister (she was close to him, I wasn't) who lives about 80 miles away. I only had one child that day, so I loaded her in the car and we went to see my sister for a couple of hours. I would have taken her to the funeral if her mom needed me to, just like I would have taken a grandchild. They've been to family Easter parties, family reunions, cemetery work days, and visits to my husband's client's offices. He has a very informal business, and the people just took the kids in like their own. I have a family reunion coming up on the 4th and they have already asked me how many kids I'm bringing. For a few years, our extended family was in a childless gap. The grandkids were pre-teens or teens, and there were no small children. My dcks filled that gap. Now, we have 1 small child and the family wants me to bring a dck to play with him. I'm off that day, but I'm thinking of borrowing a couple to take with me. Parades are so much more fun with a kid.

My style wouldn't work for most providers, but I've built in enough flexibility that it works well for us.

When I had my son in daycare, what you said above is exactly what I was looking for! My cousin ended up watching him because the home daycare we had him in decided that she was going to run an only school-year program. Worked great for her, but totally left me in a bind. My cousin wasn't working at the time and offered to be our 'in-between' until we found daycare. She watched him for a year until I got laid off and started my own daycare.

For me personally - I loved that my son was helping her with walking her dogs and going grocery shopping. She took him to the nursing home to visit her mom once a week and my son loved the experience.


That being said - I DON't run my daycare that way. I feel that my kids have to share me with their 'friends' during daycare hours and if they have a special event, it should be just about them. kwim? I have taken the daycare kids with me to a family fun day event at our local school (this is a school that most of the kids will go to) and although it was fun, it was even more fun this year when I just took MY kids with me. I have taken the kids grocery shopping (everything here is walking distance) and they had a great time, but if it was something personal I would get a sub.

[Sunchimes]

If I had kids at home I would probably have a different attitude. My youngest is 44, and none of my grandkids live around here. I've always had a tendency to "adopt" kids into the family. I have "adopted" kids everywhere. My decks are just a paying extension of that.

[Shell]

First, I was never a parent that was comfortable with my provider taking my children anywhere so I chose a provider that did not transport kids.

I dont think there is anything wrong with a planned field trip somewhere IF the purpose of that trip is part of the curriculum. i.e. going to the grocery store to learn about the whole process of shipping and purchasing foods etc.. or going to the fire dept to learn about what happens there.

Taking a group of children under age 5 to a "big kid" school is only applicable to the kids who will be entering "big kid" school the next year and really has nothing to do with the other kids...yet.

If learning about the "big kid" school was the primary focus for the trip, I would tour the school, meet the teachers etc...and there is no guarantee that all the DCK's will go to that school. We have 7 elementary schools and the children in my care don't all go to the same school so touring the one nearest to me wouldn't necessarily work.

I also feel as a parent, I am paying for services for MY child. I am not paying for the provider to do personal things.

If I worked in a bank, my employer would NOT be ok if I went to my child's graduation on the bank's time.
Even if I brought my laptop and tried to work from the audience.

I think things like this are the divide between this profession being viewed as professional and not being taken seriously by many.

I can't think of many other professions that allow for something personal to be completed while on someone else's clock or paid time...kwim?

Like I said above, I am NOT saying it's wrong.

I am only saying I view it differently and would NOT be okay with my provider doing anything personal outside the home....and some things within the home would not fly with me either but that's an entirely different topic.

I feel the same way.

[permanentvacation]

I used to take my daycare kids to all sorts of my personal kids' events/activities. I did make sure to have that in my speech during my interview, so the parents knew that I took them to things that were technically my personal family's activities. Everyone was alright with it. Many times, parents had to pick their child up from my daughter's school or wherever we would be for her event.

My daycare kids have gone to parent/teacher meetings, my personal children's soccer games and an occasional practice, la cross games and an occasional practice, track practices and an occasional track meet (the meets were usually too far away so we watched more practices), karate lessons, years ago, my daycare kids went along to some of our doctor appointments!

When my kids were young, of course we would go to every game and practice, but as they got older, I didn't go to every event, but I still take my daycare kids to a good handful of games/practices/teacher meetings each year.

The kids loved watching and rooting for my kids at their games/practices. The parents knew that their kids would enjoy watching my kids play and would be excited to cheer them on. They knew I would keep them safe and that they would be outside enjoying the day. If I had a parent that needed to pick up while we would be at my kids' event, they were just fine with picking their child up from me wherever we were.

My 15 passenger van eventually also died on me, so now I have to wait until I'm down to just my last 3 kids so they can fit into my truck or hire my assistant to watch the kids at home so I can go to my daughter's games. My oldest daughter started activities when she was 3 years old, so I have been taking my daycare kids to my personal kids' activities for about 20 years now.

I would though, make sure that their parents know that you are going to take their children on outings like that. Have it in your contract with them giving you permission to take their children on outings with or without their knowledge of that particular outing (in case you forget to mention an outing ahead of time or in case something comes up unexpectedly). Have it in your contract that your parents give you permission to transport their children in your vehicle and/or walk to these outings.

[bananas]

I tell parents at the start that I run my dc like it was my grandkids. No one has ever objected. In fact, I was recently talking to a mom about something we were going to do the next day, like going to the bank or the courthouse or something. She said that they had always liked the fact that I took the kids places that weren't "field trips." Without me, the kids wouldn't know how to behave in community places like the courthouse or the library or the bank.

I've taken my kids on all of my normal errands. When my step-dad died, I felt an obligation to go see my sister (she was close to him, I wasn't) who lives about 80 miles away. I only had one child that day, so I loaded her in the car and we went to see my sister for a couple of hours. I would have taken her to the funeral if her mom needed me to, just like I would have taken a grandchild. They've been to family Easter parties, family reunions, cemetery work days, and visits to my husband's client's offices. He has a very informal business, and the people just took the kids in like their own. I have a family reunion coming up on the 4th and they have already asked me how many kids I'm bringing. For a few years, our extended family was in a childless gap. The grandkids were pre-teens or teens, and there were no small children. My dcks filled that gap. Now, we have 1 small child and the family wants me to bring a dck to play with him. I'm off that day, but I'm thinking of borrowing a couple to take with me. Parades are so much more fun with a kid.

My style wouldn't work for most providers, but I've built in enough flexibility that it works well for us.

I am the same - I treat the kids like they're my own! I take them to do things that I would take my own daughter to do - hikes, beach, library, park, post office, you name it (err...not grocery shopping though haha!) I like to consider myself more of a shared nanny than a daycare provider though. I only have my daughter plus 3 others. We go on outings almost every day.

[kathiemarie]

If it's anything to do with my kids I will take them. I tell the families during the interview that this is part of my program. We have been to Christmas programs, spring sings, basketball games, soccer practice etc. ( I have had parents pick up from the field or court before.) At the games the kids make banners and clap for my kids (while they are in my care my kids are like big sibling to the DCkids.) We have fun.

I don't think I would take the kids to my dentist or doctors appointments... I think that might be pushing it a bit.

[Blackcat31]

I don't think there's anything unprofessional about it really. I have a family and life too. I think BCs situation is much different as she doesn't operate in her own home with her own children like many (or the majority I would guess) of us do.

My feelings have nothing to do with where I run my child care. :confused:

I also had my own children in my care the entire time from age 3 and 5 until the time they graduated and moved away so that has nothing to do with it either.

I have a family and a life too but they don't mix with my business.....NOT because I have a separate space but because I don't think it's professional of me to do.

If I had/have a family obligation, I close or get a sub.

This includes school related things my kids were in. If I could, I got a sub and went. If I couldn't get a sub my DH went and if that couldn't happen, I didn't go.

Yes, I missed my fair share of my kids' school functions but such is life. I went to the ones I could and missed the ones I couldn't.
SAME thing would happen if I had any other job.

It's actually illegal in my state to do so as a "home daycare." It would be considered a daycare center and have much different standards and require employees and such which would make these personal issues a lot easier to manage.

I am licensed as a "home daycare".

I follow the same guidelines and regulations as any other "home daycare" in my state.

There are several states that allow "home daycare" in a house the provider doesn't live in.

A separate location is an advantage ONLY when it comes to parents in my personal space or where I physically spend my off hours, closed days and vacation time.

Nothing else I do is any different.

I don't advertise or claim to be a center. I don't follow any of their rules and regulations.

Thankfully, as centers here take SA'ers and I could never do that again. ::

I think it would be unprofessional to have to close 10x a year. I have had numerous interviews with parents trying to find a new provider because theirs is closing so often and for different reasons. One DCM said that she was closing at least once a month, some months 3-4 times. Either her kids are sick or the provider was sick or something. THAT is unprofessional. I get that kids get sick but honestly unless mine are so sick they need to be hospitalized or are vomiting I can keep them in their room/bed and check on them as lneeded. That was one of the perks of having a home based business!

Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking the kids to a nearby school event.!

Like I said in my first post and my second post: I am NOT saying it's wrong.

I said I believe it is unprofessional. I still do.

Everyone has a different definition of professionalism. That's ok.

My clients feel the same as I do and THAT is really all that matters.

sahm1225 actually had a good example...as a PARENT she was looking for that type of service but as a business owner, she doesn't operate that way.

As long as your clients/parents are ok with it, great!

As a parent, I would choose another daycare but just like sahm1225 there are parents out there that DO want that so win win for everyone. happyface

[Annalee]

I am a licensed home child care as well and licensing rules/regs would prevent me from transporting my kids anywhere, period! Through the years, I have been able to attend some events, missed some, too. I try to find a medium in the deal and it somehow works......

[sharlan]

EVERYONE has to run their daycare the how THEY feel comfortable, within their laws. BC isn't comfortable taking kids out and doesn't feel that it's proessional. That is her right, she's not condemning those who do.

I have always taken the daycare kids with me everywhere I've gone. From day one, I've treated the daycare kids like my own. Over the years, I've taken kids to events at my kids' schools, their performances, sports. In fact, on Thursday, I will be taking all of my kids to my grandsons' Mandarin performance.

I've taken dcks to dr's appts for myself, my kids, and my grandkids. I've even taken dcks to their own dr's appts. I've taken dcks to the hospital and had their parents meet me there.

I've even taken dcks tent camping up in the mountains without their parents. I've taken several on family vacations.

So far this summer, we've been to Raging Waters 3 times, the beach, and the park twice.

One of the first thing I tell perspective parents is that we frequently go on outings. If they are not comfortable with that, then I am not the right provider for them.

[Leanna]

I don't transport DCK's. If we can't get there on foot we don't go. Our outings include local playgrounds, the library for storytime, etc.

I do, however, live across the street from an elementary school and a few blocks from a local preschool. I've taken DCK's to other DCK's performances, graduations, etc. They love seeing their big friends at their "big" schools!

[Angelsj]

I have had different seasons where I took kids with me to many things, personal or not. We have done grocery shopping, attended things for the older kids, whatever. Right now, I don't transport at all, so no.

I don't find it unprofessional (sorry BC) but I also don't really look at this as a profession either, so maybe that makes a difference. I have just always had a more laid back style of care, where kids come and go at all hours, and parents who wanted that laid back style, so it has worked out well. When you care for kids 24/7, you end up taking them all over the place. (I no longer do that 24/7 care either.)

Please don't flame me on the "profession" comment. I KNOW most of you feel it is your profession, and that is awesome. I just never felt that way. I often say I have been doing this for 30 some years, because I am 48. In reality, I have been watching other people's children (for money or trade) since I was 8 years old. Perhaps that is why I don't feel like it is a 'chosen profession' so much as just how life is.