Ridiculousness of it all

[KiddieCahoots]

I know in MA they've had the teeth brushing reg, and a provider I know was able to have parents sign a waiver stating they didn't want their children brushing their teeth at day care. I wonder if that will be an option?(

We are required to have the children brush their teeth once, if they are in the child care for 4+ hrs a day, preferably after they have eaten any food.

And don't forget how to store them, they make a big deal out of that for sanitary purposes. They must be exposed to air to dry out without touching another child's toothbrush (cubbies were ok'd).

And you cannot use fluoride toothpaste, too much swallowed is toxic (you'd have to swallow the whole tube for it to actually be toxic, but we providers must consider safety to the extreme )

And then you must find a way to put it on every child's toothbrush without actually touching the toothbrush. (Paper towels work good for that).

One more thing to add in your handbook, don't forget the waiver if they chose not to participate, but they usually do want their children's teeth brushed, (one last thing they have to tend to in the morning with their own children)

Plus you have to decide who will take on this expense, (toothbrushes, that need to be replaced often, especially considering how children love to chew on them, non fluoride toothpaste, extra paper towels) you....or pass it along to the parents.

I've adjusted to the routine and kinda find it fun to do with the kids, but it really all comes down to more time and $.

If someone comes in and tells you "you have to do this now", (very politely) ask to see the regulation (Oh, really, wow, can you show me that regulation, please? I was not aware of that!). If it's a PROPOSED regulation, it's not enforceable, in my experience. They can only try to bully you.

My CDA instructor told us to do exactly this!
I tried with my last renewal visit, after I was later written up for issues that were non existent as regulations.

When I questioned where they were in the regulations, (very politely) she only got angry, insisted they were in the regulations somewhere, and she was fair to all providers. Then asked me if I thought she was making them up?

Sometimes with licensing and the power they have, you have to pic and chose your battles.

[Annalee]

http://usa.childcareaware.org/about-...ild-care-homes

And this past year there is this:

http://usa.childcareaware.org/sites/default/files/19000000_state_fact_sheets_2014_v04.pdf

So we are not good enough. But we cost too much. Okay then.

This data is from 2014 and it lists 899 FCC for TN. When I looked on our state website it lists 810 so that means 89 providers have dropped their license since this fact sheet was published....That tells the story.....I still say we need rules/regs but give us some credit for what we DO right which is ALOT! :confused:

[Josiegirl]

Yikes! And they wonder why there's a need in a lot of the state for quality childcare! I assume that's just the tip of the iceburg. I'm still irritated it's our responsibility to report DCK's immunizations and make sure they've had them completed. I'm not sure why that's not the pediatrician's responsibility. Anyway... I'm relieved I'm closing up shop in July.

Oh no. Guess what I completely forgot to do before Jan. 1st? It never entered my mind to record their immunizations; I remember getting the reminder email, then made sure I had everybody's most recent forms, then Christmas came and then.....ooops.

[Unregistered]

Here is the credit for what you do right:

http://www.providerappreciationday.org/

[Annalee]

Oh no. Guess what I completely forgot to do before Jan. 1st? It never entered my mind to record their immunizations; I remember getting the reminder email, then made sure I had everybody's most recent forms, then Christmas came and then.....ooops.

Each child has to bring in a new form from the dr after each shot. They used to let us keep the forms and fill them out but not anymore. Some of my kids I get at 6 weeks have upteen immunization forms and the state checks each and every one. :confused:

[Shell]

I know in MA they've had the teeth brushing reg, and a provider I know was able to have parents sign a waiver stating they didn't want their children brushing their teeth at day care. I wonder if that will be an option?
But the cleaning reg - what are the kids supposed to be doing when the in home provider is doing all this sanitizing? Sounds like they want the in home provider to realize they can't do it and turn in their licenses...

Yes, we have to brush the teeth of children in our care for more than 4 hrs a day. We can have parents opt out, and keep it on file, but parents seem to like their kids brushing. When the regulation first came out, I was working in a center. They gave us prizes for getting our whole class to brush teeth, and extra points if we sang some cheesy song along with it.
I always made sure to have the kids brush their teeth, but I am more lax about it at my daycare.

[Annalee]

Yes, we have to brush the teeth of children in our care for more than 4 hrs a day. We can have parents opt out, and keep it on file, but parents seem to like their kids brushing. When the regulation first came out, I was working in a center. They gave us prizes for getting our whole class to brush teeth, and extra points if we sang some cheesy song along with it.
I always made sure to have the kids brush their teeth, but I am more lax about it at my daycare.

We have to brush once a day and it has to be seen on assessment day or we get discounted.

[CraftyMom]

We are required to have the children brush their teeth once, if they are in the child care for 4+ hrs a day, preferably after they have eaten any food.

And don't forget how to store them, they make a big deal out of that for sanitary purposes. They must be exposed to air to dry out without touching another child's toothbrush (cubbies were ok'd).

When I had a surprise visit in November I swear her biggest concern was the darn toothbrushes! Two of the toothbrushes fell over while I was carrying my toothbrush holder to her (yes, carried it to her in the kitchen from the bathroom bc she was doing paperwork and wanted me to bring them TO her ).

So I got cited for toothbrush bristles touching each other!

She went on and on about how they can NOT be stored, but had no suggestions for how they CAN be stored!

I never thought to ask about putting them in the cubbies! I think I'll do that! Do you just put them in there? Or in a bag first?

I have the kids dry brush I asked about it and she said well if you feel they are swallowing too much or if they do not like toothpaste, then you can dry brush.

So now all my kids "swallow too much" or "do not like toothpaste". We dry brush after lunch then rinse.

[Annalee]

When I had a surprise visit in November I swear her biggest concern was the darn toothbrushes! Two of the toothbrushes fell over while I was carrying my toothbrush holder to her (yes, carried it to her in the kitchen from the bathroom bc she was doing paperwork and wanted me to bring them TO her ).

So I got cited for toothbrush bristles touching each other!

She went on and on about how they can NOT be stored, but had no suggestions for how they CAN be stored!

I never thought to ask about putting them in the cubbies! I think I'll do that! Do you just put them in there? Or in a bag first?

I have the kids dry brush I asked about it and she said well if you feel they are swallowing too much or if they do not like toothpaste, then you can dry brush.

So now all my kids "swallow too much" or "do not like toothpaste". We dry brush after lunch then rinse.

This is what gets my goat every time...when they tell us what we can't do but don't tell us a way to meet a requirement in a way that will be acceptable.

[KiddieCahoots]

In a little box inside the cubbie.
They cannot be touching anything, but must have access to air.
So no baggie.
She wouldn't even allow me to put those toothbrush head containers that you get at the dentist on. Even though they have breathe holes.

What I find funny about all this.....
The American Dental Association believes in brushing only 2 x's a day.

[Febby]

The word Family and Home in child care is what the rules/regs are trying to do away with....AND they are succeeding! We have a 10 step diapering process. :confused:

KY has a 14 step diapering process:
1. Wash hands with liquid soap and warm running water for 20 seconds.
2. Check to see if all of your supplies are ready and put on gloves.
3. Lay child on table. Never leave child unattended.
4. Clean child’s bottom from front to back.
5. Put disposable diaper in a hand free, covered, plastic- lined trash can.
6. Remove soiled gloves and put in a hands free, covered, plastic- lined
trash can.
7. Use disposable wipes to clean your hands and another clean wipe to
clean the child’s hands.
8. Diaper and dress the child.
9. Wash the child’s hands with liquid soap and warm running water for 20
seconds.
10. Dry the child’s hands with a hand drying blower or single use
disposable hand drying material/paper towels. Turn faucet off with
paper towel.
11. Return the child to supervised area.
12. Clean with soap and water: the diaper changing surface and any toys or
object touched during the diaper change. Rinse with water.
13. Disinfect the same area with bleach and water solution. Allow the
solution to air dry two minutes before wiping up.
14. Wash your hands with liquid soap and warm running water.

[Febby]

When I had a surprise visit in November I swear her biggest concern was the darn toothbrushes! Two of the toothbrushes fell over while I was carrying my toothbrush holder to her (yes, carried it to her in the kitchen from the bathroom bc she was doing paperwork and wanted me to bring them TO her ).

So I got cited for toothbrush bristles touching each other!

She went on and on about how they can NOT be stored, but had no suggestions for how they CAN be stored!

I never thought to ask about putting them in the cubbies! I think I'll do that! Do you just put them in there? Or in a bag first?

I have the kids dry brush I asked about it and she said well if you feel they are swallowing too much or if they do not like toothpaste, then you can dry brush.

So now all my kids "swallow too much" or "do not like toothpaste". We dry brush after lunch then rinse.

My center stores ours in an old egg cartoon turned upside down with holes cut in it. It has to replaced occasionally, but it's free to make (assuming you consume eggs, like ever) so it's not a big deal. When they start getting older, the toothbrushes start falling over if you move it. (We tape ours down so if licensing asks us to bring it to then, we tell them we can't.)

We got the instructions for it from a Massachusetts handout: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/c...child-care.pdf (it's on page 7)

We can't put toothbrushes in plastic bags here either, but we can put toothpaste directly onto the brush, as long as each child has their own tube. Although we do have to clean and sanitize the sink between each child...

[Annalee]

KY has a 14 step diapering process:
1. Wash hands with liquid soap and warm running water for 20 seconds.
2. Check to see if all of your supplies are ready and put on gloves.
3. Lay child on table. Never leave child unattended.
4. Clean child’s bottom from front to back.
5. Put disposable diaper in a hand free, covered, plastic- lined trash can.
6. Remove soiled gloves and put in a hands free, covered, plastic- lined
trash can.
7. Use disposable wipes to clean your hands and another clean wipe to
clean the child’s hands.
8. Diaper and dress the child.
9. Wash the child’s hands with liquid soap and warm running water for 20
seconds.
10. Dry the child’s hands with a hand drying blower or single use
disposable hand drying material/paper towels. Turn faucet off with
paper towel.
11. Return the child to supervised area.
12. Clean with soap and water: the diaper changing surface and any toys or
object touched during the diaper change. Rinse with water.
13. Disinfect the same area with bleach and water solution. Allow the
solution to air dry two minutes before wiping up.
14. Wash your hands with liquid soap and warm running water.

We had your number 7 but they took it out. We are not allowed to use hand-drying blowers either. I think someone is just sitting around making rules for family child care to push us out of business. :confused:

[Annalee]

KY has a 14 step diapering process:
1. Wash hands with liquid soap and warm running water for 20 seconds.
2. Check to see if all of your supplies are ready and put on gloves.
3. Lay child on table. Never leave child unattended.
4. Clean child’s bottom from front to back.
5. Put disposable diaper in a hand free, covered, plastic- lined trash can.
6. Remove soiled gloves and put in a hands free, covered, plastic- lined
trash can.
7. Use disposable wipes to clean your hands and another clean wipe to
clean the child’s hands.
8. Diaper and dress the child.
9. Wash the child’s hands with liquid soap and warm running water for 20
seconds.
10. Dry the child’s hands with a hand drying blower or single use
disposable hand drying material/paper towels. Turn faucet off with
paper towel.
11. Return the child to supervised area.
12. Clean with soap and water: the diaper changing surface and any toys or
object touched during the diaper change. Rinse with water.
13. Disinfect the same area with bleach and water solution. Allow the
solution to air dry two minutes before wiping up.
14. Wash your hands with liquid soap and warm running water.

BTW, my hubby is from Kentucky!

[Febby]

We had your number 7 but they took it out. We are not allowed to use hand-drying blowers either. I think someone is just sitting around making rules for family child care to push us out of business. :confused:

I'm not really sure what the point of that step is since the child needs to wash their hands right after anyway. Although I don't know anyone who actually does it unless someone from state is watching them...