Is it unprofessional to

[daycare]

personally I don't think that you should have turned your tv on.

it is our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for the children at all times when in our care. The news is not suitable for children. If we could just go off the clock because that is when we close then I could bust open a glass of wine and start drinking. While this may be a harsh comparison, all I see you saying is that because I am closed I should be able to do what I want, it's my time.

Unfortunately you chose to run a business from your home and sometimes that means things like this happen. We all know this.

I am sure it has happened to all of us at some point in our career as providers. If the mom is not coming on time to pick up, then you need to inform the parent of this and perhaps consider implementing a late fee policy. If the late fee does not work, then consider terming.

If my provider was subjecting my kid to the news, I would be removing my child.

[Josiegirl]

While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.

Exactly my thoughts only this was well-said.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.

I agree. Cleaning with the child is different than doing an alternate activity that isn't appropriate for a small child to participate in.

[midaycare]

I agree. Cleaning with the child is different than doing an alternate activity that isn't appropriate for a small child to participate in.

I totally agree with this.

[hope]

I do not see how you could charge a late fee if you are watching tv. I think the parent should pick up on time. I think if they do not you can maybe try to cook dinner while entertaining the child. If you can't do both, the child is priority. The news is inappropriate for a child to view and therefor shouldn't be in a child's sight. If you are to take money for a fee for the extra hours you are caring for the child than you should truly care for that child. If you can not than you can call emergency contacts to pick up.

[Play Care]

My contract states clearly that after x time, I switch to FST or FAMILY STANDARD TIME. Meaning that the any child who is still here will be at the table with an age appropriate activity while I start dinner, help my kids with homework, clean up, etc. So on that score, I see nothing wrong with starting other things, if you have a late child (after hours).
But, I agree that turning on the news is not appropriate. I do think there has to be some restraint, even if the parents are late
That said, I'd also be enforcing my late fees so that having kids here after hours wasn't an issue.

[KiddieCahoots]

I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!

[Unregistered]

I didn't even charge her a late fee.

[Kimskiddos]

I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!

[daycarediva]

I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!

That's a different perspective on it, and most certainly could be what this is about! Dcm could be mentioning the news to change the subject from her being late.

[Shell]

I see both sides of this. On one hand, I'm not sure I would have put the news on- but I do feel we have a right to continue our lives when a parent is late, and puts us in an uncomfortable situation of infringing on our personal time. I've been in situations where we order pizza and it gets delivered right at closing-I'm starving, but I've got a late dc kid and I don't exactly want to share what I have just ordered with the toddler that is crying for his mom and hungry. Different situation, but I really get annoyed with late pick ups and how it puts us in an awkward place: do I watch what I want, eat my dinner, etc. I think I would be quite upset if a parent approached me about what I was doing when they were late (assuming it's legal :. Next time, charge her!!! Then, maybe she'll think twice about being late!

[Play Care]

I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!

Good point! And it seems as though the OP didn't even charge the mom for being late. So mom "wins" by pulling that.

OP - it's time to take the bull by the horns and charge late fees. As you have seen, DCM doesn't respect you or your time. Why are you giving her leeway?

[Josiegirl]

Curious as to how late dcm was?