Does It Bother You?

[Liliya]

DCM asked me if it bothers me that her kids are here all the time,,,why would you ask provider that? :confused: Even if it bothers me,would I tell her?, some people,,So, what would you tell this mom?
I just told her that it bothers kids,(they are here 50 hours/week,first come,last to go) on that day I did not have any kids until 1p.m,because of the weather,but them (neighbors).
And older boy was kinda confused,asking for parents and I told him they have to work and he said No! mama is sleeping.(dad drop them off at 7) I did not tell her that he said that,but I did said that he was asking for you.

[dEHmom]

hmm....
I used to have in my contract, and a lot of other provider's contracts have this as well, that if a parent has a day off or vacation, their child/ren are expected to be with them. It is more important that a child is in the care of their own parent, then in someone elses care. Unless there was doctors appointments or something else the parent must attend to where the child can not come along.

It is not acceptable that a parent has their child at daycare so they can sleep in, nap, or watch soap operas unless that parent is extremely ill, and unable to get out of bed.

This might be something to discuss, but I wouldn't know how to approach it.

[laundrymom]

I would give the biggest smile and say,.. No,.. I love spending time with your kids, they are so fun and loving. I am glad they are so happy and confortable here, although they do ask for you some times, especially when they other kids havent gotten here yet, or when they others all go home early. They get a little quiet then, but they are fine.

[Liliya]

hmm....
I used to have in my contract, and a lot of other provider's contracts have this as well, that if a parent has a day off or vacation, their child/ren are expected to be with them. It is more important that a child is in the care of their own parent, then in someone elses care. Unless there was doctors appointments or something else the parent must attend to where the child can not come along.

It is not acceptable that a parent has their child at daycare so they can sleep in, nap, or watch soap operas unless that parent is extremely ill, and unable to get out of bed.

This might be something to discuss, but I wouldn't know how to approach it.

See,I do not have anything like that in my contract,in my contract it is says if child is not here for any reason they still pay. This is probably why some parents feel like if they pay,child should be here from open to close. I think she feels bad,that she brings them here even when she is home,but how can I help her? Kids are here as soon as they get up.

[Liliya]

I would give the biggest smile and say,.. No,.. I love spending time with your kids, they are so fun and loving. I am glad they are so happy and confortable here, although they do ask for you some times, especially when they other kids havent gotten here yet, or when they others all go home early. They get a little quiet then, but they are fine.

Ha-ha,I should do that. You made me smile.Thanks!

[laundrymom]

I cant claim it,.. its what my pastor told my fil after camping with our family for the weekend. =-)

Ha-ha,I should do that. You made me smile.Thanks!

[Blackcat31]

I would give the biggest smile and say,.. No,.. I love spending time with your kids, they are so fun and loving. I am glad they are so happy and confortable here, although they do ask for you some times, especially when they other kids havent gotten here yet, or when they others all go home early. They get a little quiet then, but they are fine.

That's gooooood! Might make them think a bit and if not oh, well. the parents are the ones missing out and paying for it. With money and lost time....

[DanceMom]

I am very honest to my parents - Yes I love children and love my "job"
( most times ) and my DCP's know I do......but I do not hide that there are days that I've had enough - or on vacations they ask me if I am going anywhere and I tell them No, Im going to take back my house, hide everything daycare related, sleep in , and enjoy my home and family for a few days...If I have a long day, I dont hide it most of the time. I am the WORST liar , they can see it in my face that I am exhausted and they arent stupid - just because I am a child care provider doesnt mean I am super woman and can put up with everything everyday

They completely understand - They are always, almost daily, telling me they have no idea how I do it !::

[dEHmom]

See,I do not have anything like that in my contract,in my contract it is says if child is not here for any reason they still pay. This is probably why some parents feel like if they pay,child should be here from open to close. I think she feels bad,that she brings them here even when she is home,but how can I help her? Kids are here as soon as they get up.

My original contract was basically a hand me down contract. It has since been modified over and over. I had removed what I stated some people have in the contract about days off because I found it just raised the flag to parents that they are paying regardless.

Even though most people advertise their rates on a daily basis, essentially if you are charging as an example 20/day that's 400/mth or 100/wk however you look at it. That's how I advertise my services so there are no calculations required. Too many parents think that ok, well they missed this day and that, and even though it's in the contract otherwise, they still think they deserve some sort of credit for it. Sorry, you book me full time, you're booking 5 days a week. But if you find out you have a day off, or you take a day off from work, you're keeping your kid with you!

[DBug]

I totally get the principle behind keeping your kid home from dc if you have the day off, even though you have to pay for the day. But I just keep wondering if we're not sending mixed messages by charging full rate for the day? If it's that important to us as dc providers for parents to spend days off with their kids, why not offer an incentive to do it?

Personally, I have two moms on mat leave that bring their kids on their original contracted schedule, and I have 2 others that bring their kids on their days off regularly. I'm getting paid full rate whether they're here or not, but it doesn't matter to me where the parents are. If it did, I would likely go to half-rate for days off. Since I'm not willing to take the pay cut, I choose to work for my pay . I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I just think it's something we as providers need to consider -- if we don't want to do the work, we probably shouldn't ask to be paid.

My sick policy follows the same logic -- if parents keep kids home because they're sick, I only charge half-rate for that day. It's incentive for them to keep their child home and at least gives them a bit of a break money-wise.

[dEHmom]

Yeah I actually do agree.
And depending on circumstances, sometimes I don't charge them at all for the day. But at the same time, look at it for sick days like if you are paying for a university. Regardless of whether you show up for the class, sick or not, you don't get a break on the cost of the course(s).

If the DCP calls and says to me on a saturday, or if I know when they leave on a friday that the child is ill, I don't charge them for the days missed. But then again, sometimes, if you're lenient once, they expect it everytime. It's a fine line, and you just have to do what you feel is right at the time.

[jen]

I totally get the principle behind keeping your kid home from dc if you have the day off, even though you have to pay for the day. But I just keep wondering if we're not sending mixed messages by charging full rate for the day? If it's that important to us as dc providers for parents to spend days off with their kids, why not offer an incentive to do it?

Personally, I have two moms on mat leave that bring their kids on their original contracted schedule, and I have 2 others that bring their kids on their days off regularly. I'm getting paid full rate whether they're here or not, but it doesn't matter to me where the parents are. If it did, I would likely go to half-rate for days off. Since I'm not willing to take the pay cut, I choose to work for my pay . I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I just think it's something we as providers need to consider -- if we don't want to do the work, we probably shouldn't ask to be paid.

My sick policy follows the same logic -- if parents keep kids home because they're sick, I only charge half-rate for that day. It's incentive for them to keep their child home and at least gives them a bit of a break money-wise.

Personally, I don't want to care for a child whose parents need a financial incentive to spend time with their kid! YIKES! How freaking sad is that. If thats the case, the poor kid doesn't stand a chance in this life. To clarify, I am NOT talking about a parent who uses daycare here and there to run errands, I am specifically speaking about people who, on a regular basis, refuse to spend any amount of additional time with their kids without being financially rewarded for it.

As for your comment, "if we don't want to do the work, then we shouldn't ask to be paid for it."

I would never dream of telling a parent that they can't bring their kid when they are off, I just don't think very highly of them as parents if they do. I guess my point is, it's not that I think people are asking to be paid when they don't want to do the work, it isn't a provider issue as much as it is a parental one. As a provider, I'm being paid, do as you please. As a parent, I think it is sad for the kids that their parents clearly don't like them very much.

[MyAngels]

I would never dream of telling a parent that they can't bring their kid when they are off, I just don't think very highly of them as parents if they do. I guess my point is, it's not that I think people are asking to be paid when they don't want to do the work, it isn't a provider issue as much as it is a parental one. As a provider, I'm being paid, do as you please. As a parent, I think it is sad for the kids that their parents clearly don't like them very much.

Very well said, and I agree.

[Blackcat31]

Personally, I don't want to care for a child whose parents need a financial incentive to spend time with their kid! YIKES! How freaking sad is that. If thats the case, the poor kid doesn't stand a chance in this life. To clarify, I am NOT talking about a parent who uses daycare here and there to run errands, I am specifically speaking about people who, on a regular basis, refuse to spend any amount of additional time with their kids without being financially rewarded for it.

As for your comment, "if we don't want to do the work, then we shouldn't ask to be paid for it."

I would never dream of telling a parent that they can't bring their kid when they are off, I just don't think very highly of them as parents if they do. I guess my point is, it's not that I think people are asking to be paid when they don't want to do the work, it isn't a provider issue as much as it is a parental one. As a provider, I'm being paid, do as you please. As a parent, I think it is sad for the kids that their parents clearly don't like them very much.

LIKE!!! 100% agreed.

[Liliya]

Personally, I don't want to care for a child whose parents need a financial incentive to spend time with their kid! YIKES! How freaking sad is that. If thats the case, the poor kid doesn't stand a chance in this life. To clarify, I am NOT talking about a parent who uses daycare here and there to run errands, I am specifically speaking about people who, on a regular basis, refuse to spend any amount of additional time with their kids without being financially rewarded for it.

As for your comment, "if we don't want to do the work, then we shouldn't ask to be paid for it."

I would never dream of telling a parent that they can't bring their kid when they are off, I just don't think very highly of them as parents if they do. I guess my point is, it's not that I think people are asking to be paid when they don't want to do the work, it isn't a provider issue as much as it is a parental one. As a provider, I'm being paid, do as you please. As a parent, I think it is sad for the kids that their parents clearly don't like them very much.

Agree 200%