Ridiculous Regulations

[Play Care]

I went to a training last night on our "new" regulations. One is that we must have a "clock in and out" time for the provider available for licensing...
I can understand them wanting to keep track of a subs hours - they legally are very limited in how long they can be alone with the kids. But the provider??!! What other PRIVATE business owner has to do this?!

I wonder when the state is going to admit that we are their employees and offer us pension, health bennies, PTO, etc.

[Annalee]

I went to a training last night on our "new" regulations. One is that we must have a "clock in and out" time for the provider available for licensing...
I can understand them wanting to keep track of a subs hours - they legally are very limited in how long they can be alone with the kids. But the provider??!! What other PRIVATE business owner has to do this?!

I wonder when the state is going to admit that we are their employees and offer us pension, health bennies, PTO, etc.

This is happening here in TN as well...sometimes licensing will go back a few months to verify ratios are correct by checking the sign-in/out logs for staff and children in care....if a staff member "forgets" to sign in and ratios are off, it is a violation with a fine....even if providers verify, it was actually "forgotten" but the provider was there...no room for benefit of the doubt!

[DaveA]

Don't the hardwired detectors have battery backup?

Believe it or not they weren't required to have a battery backup. I'm pretty sure ours did anyway, but they were only viable for something like an hour or so after losing power. This was years ago: I hope they've changed that.

[Annalee]

Believe it or not they weren't required to have a battery backup. I'm pretty sure ours did anyway, but they were only viable for something like an hour or so after losing power. This was years ago: I hope they've changed that.

Not necessary to have battery back up here either!!?? I don't get it, but it is what it is...:confused:

[SignMeUp]

The hard-wired detectors that I replaced a few years ago did not have battery backup so I always used battery operated detectors too. We are allowed to use battery if we replace batteries twice a year.
My newer hard-wired have battery backup though.

[SignMeUp]

A question has been nagging at my brain.

We are only allowed to use a substitute for 30 days OR part days per year.

What is the difference then, between leaving an "assistant" with the children, and using a substitute?

(My ignorance disclaimer: I have never had an assistant, and have not used a sustitute in a lot of years because of the amount of training they are now required to have. Not worth it financially.)

[Blackcat31]

A question has been nagging at my brain.

We are only allowed to use a substitute for 30 days OR part days per year.

What is the difference then, between leaving an "assistant" with the children, and using a substitute?

(My ignorance disclaimer: I have never had an assistant, and have not used a sustitute in a lot of years because of the amount of training they are now required to have. Not worth it financially.)

My licensor defines that rule as this.

An assistant should be listed as an employee and recorded on your license (not necessarily named but in your file) as someone working WITH you. But you are still present on site

A substitute provider is the person you would leave the kids with.
You (the provider) would be off site.

A substitute is limited to use (like you said above) but an assistant is not.

Clearer?

[SignMeUp]

My licensor defines that rule as this.

An assistant should be listed as an employee and recorded on your license (not necessarily named but in your file) as someone working WITH you. But you are still present on site

A substitute provider is the person you would leave the kids with.
You (the provider) would be off site.

A substitute is limited to use (like you said above) but an assistant is not.

Clearer?

Makes some sense, given that probably the providers who talk about running their child care with assistants, while they do something else entirely (school, or a different job) might be from a different state..?

[LysesKids]

This is happening here in TN as well...sometimes licensing will go back a few months to verify ratios are correct by checking the sign-in/out logs for staff and children in care....if a staff member "forgets" to sign in and ratios are off, it is a violation with a fine....even if providers verify, it was actually "forgotten" but the provider was there...no room for benefit of the doubt!

I'm sort of glad I'm not licensed and just licensed exempt here

[KiddieCahoots]

Honestly, reading all this and relating to some too, I'm actually starting to feel the involvement of the Union may actually be a good thing here in MA.
If it does give us a voice, time will tell.