The Red Tape Is Getting Too Thick

[Angelsj]

Somebody else put it on another post best- "better childcare through paperwork" ::

A "Sleep Policy"? What the heck is that? "When the child's eyes are closed, they're not moving, and they snore-they're asleep." was all that popped into my head.

Good luck.

I had to answer that question this last renewal. If a baby falls asleep, what is your policy? I always wonder if there are still people out there who would put anything other than "back to sleep," even if they don't practice it.

[crazydaycarelady]

The Sleep Policy is quite lengthy actually. It has to describe when we will put kids to sleep, where, how, what kind of bed and bedding, how long to let them sleep, when to get them up, what things will be allowed like pacifiers. It's all common sense stuff that if you are following the rules you will be doing anyway.

We have to get our renewal application notarized and another form so they can check our record. Everyone in the house and all assistants/subs have to get it too. It is just hard with working to get it done! I had to wait until a day I only had 10 kids and then take 4 with me (only 4 fit in my car) and leave my assistant with 6. Then I get threatened that if I don't get it in right away I'll lose FP money.

We can only be unlicensed here if we have 3 or less kids.

[Annalee]

The Sleep Policy is quite lengthy actually. It has to describe when we will put kids to sleep, where, how, what kind of bed and bedding, how long to let them sleep, when to get them up, what things will be allowed like pacifiers. It's all common sense stuff that if you are following the rules you will be doing anyway.

We have to get our renewal application notarized and another form so they can check our record. Everyone in the house and all assistants/subs have to get it too. It is just hard with working to get it done! I had to wait until a day I only had 10 kids and then take 4 with me (only 4 fit in my car) and leave my assistant with 6. Then I get threatened that if I don't get it in right away I'll lose FP money.

We can only be unlicensed here if we have 3 or less kids.

We can be unlicensed with 4 here....if licensing comes around and a licensed provider has under 5 kids consistently, they attempt to force you to give up your license....???? This has happened to a couple of providers in neighboring counties.

[mema]

We had to have 1 paper notarized, but only once. Once it was done, you didn't need it again. I had to write a note for my own 10 year old and put it in her file that I allow her to ride her bike to a friends house or the park without me. But it is ok for her to walk 3 times as far to school without a note . Nothing like giving yourself permission to let your own child do something

[Cat Herder]

All of this "red tape" is a subtle way to push FCC providers out of business??? :confused: I just don't get it.....BUT IT IS HAPPENING!...

It is about Federal tax dollars being dumped into States. Universal Preschool.

Follow the tags at the bottom of the threads for more.

[Annalee]

It is about Federal tax dollars being dumped into States. Universal Preschool.

Follow the tags at the bottom of the threads for more.

Pre-K has took a stand still here....began big several years ago, but schools are overcrowding now.....so pre k has not grown and some have even diminished.... This is the last year for the 2 pre-k's in my neighborhood due to funding cuts and overcrowding!

[Cat Herder]

Pre-K has took a stand still here....began big several years ago, but schools are overcrowding now.....so pre k has not grown and some have even diminished.... This is the last year for the 2 pre-k's in my neighborhood due to funding cuts and overcrowding!

Now follow that train of thought out....

WHO is also offering childcare? How can they make those people meet Pre-K's stated goals on their own dime? And get more Federal dollars for forcing them to do it? How can they create jobs for their displaced workers?

See where I am going... ::

[Blackcat31]

WHO is also offering childcare? How can they make those people meet Pre-K's stated goals on their own dime? And get more Federal dollars for forcing them to do it? How can they create jobs for their displaced workers?

~ WAVES HAND EXCITEDLY IN THE AIR.......

Oooooh, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know.....


We were also just given $256,000 in grant money so that we can offer families scholarships so they have access to quality child care (preschool) programs.

But the money is ONLY good for families who choose a program that participates in QRIS. The higher star rating, the more money a family can get.

Of course we now have grant coordinators, grant applicant specialists, grant accountants, QRIS coaches, trainers and mentors.

[Annalee]

Now follow that train of thought out....

WHO is also offering childcare? How can they make those people meet Pre-K's stated goals on their own dime? And get more Federal dollars for forcing them to do it? How can they create jobs for their displaced workers?

See where I am going... ::

I do believe there is a Federal plan to take control of children at birth....not sure how/when it will take place but the ball is rolling! My state, TN, was one of the first to implement QRIS into LAW in 2001/02....Since that time it has spiraled downhill for providers, FCC in particular....Pre-k came on board shortly after but has stopped for the time being....We started with over 3000 FCC providers in 2001, today we have 859?????? Providers here have spent many hours on Capital Hill with legislation but I think it is a "FEDERAL" move....that is why it is so hard to stop.....I am TOTALLY AGAINST UNIVERSAL PREK! ....just not sure how they are going to get it done due to the overcrowding/funding issues, plus there is a struggle to keep common core/state testing in place, too....The education/quality child care push is out there and keeps my state in an uproar. I feel the push to eliminate FCC programs is about "control" more than anything.....Most providers have went underground but I can see that coming to a halt at some point as well....spent all day Saturday in a meeting to discuss why FCC is dying and how to fix it......providers are fed up or are being pushed out.......the push to get rid of FCC began subtle in the beginning in the name of quality child care but now is rapidly declining!

[Annalee]

~ WAVES HAND EXCITEDLY IN THE AIR.......

Oooooh, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know.....


We were also just given $256,000 in grant money so that we can offer families scholarships so they have access to quality child care (preschool) programs.

But the money is ONLY good for families who choose a program that participates in QRIS. The higher star rating, the more money a family can get.

Of course we now have grant coordinators, grant applicant specialists, grant accountants, QRIS coaches, trainers and mentors.

I agree BC! Providers here have already been through the grants, the QRIS coaches, trainers, etc......and now there is NO money for anything....budget cuts all around and FCC is a dying breed.....ALL IN THE NAME OF QUALITY CHILD CARE!!!!!

[SignMeUp]

When I began in child care, the majority of children state-wide attended family child care homes.
Last night on the local news, they stated that about 10% of children in the state now attend family child care.

Also, just from observation, no statistics: Most providers are not young any more. Not in my neighborhood or city at least. Most of us started when our children were young, and we were the ones who liked it and decided to stay. I think it could by dying out partly because the regulations are so much more to deal with than they used to be.

I used to think licensing standards were minimal. My policy stated that I went far above licensing standards. I removed that line, because licensing standards are no longer just about appropriate space, healthy diet, proper exercise. It is much more about documentation, properly completed paperwork, etc. than it used to be.

Adding this: For most of my years, if a young mom asked me if it were a daunting task to apply to be licensed, I would help her and encourage her to check it out. Now, no one asks. If they did ... I could no longer give a rousing endorsement of the business.

[Baby Beluga]

I am legally licensed exempt for this reason. In my state you can have up to 4 children before being licensed. Prior to doing this from home I worked in a center for 7 years - the regulations are crazy and sometimes silly.