Interesting Thought...

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

I have 8 kids from 7 different DCFs. Of those 8, 2 were most likely going to attend last Friday although I knew both DCMs were also not working. I "guilted" one into picking up at noon and the other to not come at all. I felt kinda bad about it...but then got to calculating (I was a statistician in my pre-daycare life). All this year I jotted on my calendar when parents were off but DCKs were here.

If every parent kept every child home when at least one parent was not working (not dropping off more than 30 min before latest work start time, picking up within 30 min of earliest off work time, and keeping home on every day off), I would average 4.98 kids instead of 7.77!!! And I'm sure there are many other days or part-days a DCM or DCD had off that I didn't know about.

I don't expect today's DCFs to want to spend all the time they can with their kids, I've accepted it. And I'm not about to lower my income by offering discounts to the very few that would be willing to, that's not what this is about. I was just very surprised at what a difference in attendance averages it would make.

[SignMeUp]

I know, isn't it weird though? I don't begrudge parents of young children some 'me' time, but sometimes I'm not sure when it isn't 'me' time.

Or the times when parents shop without their children, they are missing out on such great conversation and learning time. So many vegetables and fruits that you might never buy, and then your child gets curious! So you try it!

I understand that a lot of providers figure it's not their business what the parents are doing, and I can respect that point of view. But it still makes me sad for these little children. They'll only be little for such a few years. And I don't think some parents will ever realize what they missed out on.

[permanentvacation]

I used to get really irritated by parents bringing their child to daycare when they were off work. Not because of money. But upset for the child missing out on spending time with their parents, bonding with their parents. But after fussing about and discussing it on here, I decided that if the parent is the type to want to take their child to daycare rather than spend time with him/her, then, being in daycare really is better for the child. Trying to force a parent to be a parent just makes them madder, more irritated, and more resentful toward the child. So, I have accepted that even though one or both parents are off work, that if the parent wants the child to be in daycare instead of with them, then daycare is the best place they could be at the time.

However, I really find it heart-breaking when a parent doesn't want to spend their spare time with their child.

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

I used to get really irritated by parents bringing their child to daycare when they were off work. Not because of money. But upset for the child missing out on spending time with their parents, bonding with their parents. But after fussing about and discussing it on here, I decided that if the parent is the type to want to take their child to daycare rather than spend time with him/her, then, being in daycare really is better for the child. Trying to force a parent to be a parent just makes them madder, more irritated, and more resentful toward the child. So, I have accepted that even though one or both parents are off work, that if the parent wants the child to be in daycare instead of with them, then daycare is the best place they could be at the time.

However, I really find it heart-breaking when a parent doesn't want to spend their spare time with their child.

This is exactly how I feel. I don't express my opinion one way or the other to DCFs anymore (last Friday I just told them how B-O-R-E-D their kid was going to be since they were THE ONLY ONE (hint, hint!), cuz an extra day off-after Christmas no less-was so easily within grasp).

I started keeping track of attendance details last year because of something I read, I believe, on this forum even. About how a vindictive DCM reported someone as providing unsafe care, even though they had their kids there on days off, all hours of every day.

[Learning Daycare]

When I think about situations like this, I think about when I was
in the military and my son was in daycare on base. I ALWAYS picked
him up as soon as I got off, spent my lunch break with him
and participated in as many daycare events as my job would allow.
The daycare closed around 5:30. I got off at 2. My son and I would go grocery shopping and clothes shopping TOGETHER. I admit, some times it is a lot easier to just run in the store for milk that to drag your child in but, the time together meant the world to me. When we would drive by his daycare on our way home, we would see ALL of the daycare parents rushing in the door at 5:25-5:29 to avoid the late fees. Many of the parents worked office jobs and were off at 4pm daily and they would arrive basically at closing daily. It's just sad!

The more I think about my pricing, when I do open,the more I'm convinced I will use Nan's method of charging. It makes the most sense and encourages parents to pickup early if for no other reason than to save money(in their eyes).

[permanentvacation]

I don't know what Nan's theory is, but I have for a couple of years offered a lower fee to coincide with picking your child up early. I've only had a couple of parents actually take me up on it. Most of the parents simply say, 'Well, what time do you close? What time do I have to be there by?' And if I tell them 5:30, even though they get off of work at 2 and I have offered a lower fee if they would pick up every day at 2:30 after work, they still pay to leave their child here until 5:30. I guess the difference in my price for picking up early vs. my normal closing time isn't a big enough saving for them.


I've had a couple of parents who always came in Monday morning and say "Thank God it's Monday, HERE!" and shove their kid into the house, not even tell them bye or anything, and rush off. I just look at the kids like 'that poor child'. I'm sure they can tell how their parents feel. It's just horrible for the children who's parents are like that.

[midaycare]

I really try not to judge on this. Life now is easier in a lot of respects than our ancestors, but it is also harder. Families don't live near each other, so there is no extended family for help. Most women need to work instead of staying home with the kids (or men, whatever). On top of that, every child has to participate in a crazy amount of activities. There is no break for anyone - moms and dads work 24/7 for their kids so they can have the best life. If that means dcm and dcd take an extra hour or two or a day or two here and there for themselves, I don't care.

Of course I'm generalizing. Some people are just crappy parents and are looking not to spend time with their kids.

Did I pick up my DS early from daycare when I could? Yes. Did I skim out of work early once or twice and have a few hours to myself? You bet.

[Shell]

I know, isn't it weird though? I don't begrudge parents of young children some 'me' time, but sometimes I'm not sure when it isn't 'me' time.
Or the times when parents shop without their children, they are missing out on such great conversation and learning time. So many vegetables and fruits that you might never buy, and then your child gets curious! So you try it!

I understand that a lot of providers figure it's not their business what the parents are doing, and I can respect that point of view. But it still makes me sad for these little children. They'll only be little for such a few years. And I don't think some parents will ever realize what they missed out on.

[racemom]

I really try not to care what parents do when their kids are at daycare. I am paid to be there, so it's not my business, BUT---don't tell me how much you missed your child while you were on vacation/work trip without them last week, as you drop them off so you can get things done at home because you are so far behind after being gone! These are the same kids that are there from open to close 5 days a week and with a babysitter/grandparent on weekends. I feel no sympathy!

Rant over!

[SignMeUp]

What I've tried to do over the (long loong looong) years :: is to have my policies and financial arrangements match up with my feelings and beliefs.
After that, parents make their choices, and it's up to them

So, my half day rate is not much different than my full day rate, because I would prefer that parents keep their children here for preschool

And I charge more for the earliest and latest times, with a base rate for the most commonly needed hours.

Most of the time, I think parents here are choosing their times partly based on financial considerations, and I'm happy with that.

I think it also helps that my rates are a bit on the high end, so they want to save a few bucks a day wherever they can Again, I'm happy with that.

[taylorw1210]

I am usually perfectly fine with parents dropping their kids off on days they aren't working, so they can have some "me" time or get a few things done. But this winter break has me annoyed by it. Out of 9 families that I have enrolled, only 1 is working over winter break. Out of 10 children that I have enrolled, only 2 have been absent this entire break. A third has attended 2 days. And a fourth has stayed home one day sick, and one day for recreation with her parents. Everyone else has attended all of my open days.

Needless to say, to prevent me being further annoyed by this again, I am taking the week between Christmas and New Year's OFF next year and don't feel bad about it because majority of my parents do not work over the holiday break.

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

My profound thought on this was:

This is a stressful job. Everyone knows it. Most people that dare to start it can't hack it long term.

I realized with this experiment that most days at least one child COULD be out, leaving me with 7 to care for instead of all 8 daily. And of a 10-hour day, only about 6 hours of it COULD be with a full load of them here instead of dang near every one of them for the full 10 hours.

I was just thinking how much easier it would be to have at least 1 less bottle to hold, at least 1 less mouth to spoon-feed, at least 1 less diaper to change, at least 1 less to potty-train police, 1 less whatever than we usually do all the time. It would just be a little easier, ya know?

But, I wouldn't do what I am doing for a penny less, so there's no way I'm going to offer discounts for days out or early pick-ups or late drop-offs. I was just SHOCKED at the "daily average" difference it was.