Playing "Doctor"

[Unregistered]

I'm currently working on getting licensed and one of the things I have to do is fill out a questionnaire before the licensor comes out. I have 5 years of experience working with children, but I'm stumped on this question. I've never had to deal with something like this, and I don't really have much experience with school-aged kids (I'm not planning on taking this age group).

Anyway, the question is: How will you handle a situation where you find two school-age children playing doctor?

Stupid me, I initially thought "well what's wrong with kids playing doctor?" But then I thought about it more and what the question is trying to get at.. and I googled it.

How would you handle this situation?

[Blackcat31]

I'm currently working on getting licensed and one of the things I have to do is fill out a questionnaire before the licensor comes out. I have 5 years of experience working with children, but I'm stumped on this question. I've never had to deal with something like this, and I don't really have much experience with school-aged kids (I'm not planning on taking this age group).

Anyway, the question is: How will you handle a situation where you find two school-age children playing doctor?

Stupid me, I initially thought "well what's wrong with kids playing doctor?" But then I thought about it more and what the question is trying to get at.. and I googled it.

How would you handle this situation?

What state are you in? I find those questions to be insulting and inappropriate all together because you are right, what's wrong with kids playing Dr and if their question has a "hidden" meaning then I am appalled that any licensing agency would even ask this question.

In your case, I would simply respond by stating that you will not be enrolling school aged children.

SMH :confused:

[finsup]

Ugh I would be so annoyed with that question. I would respond with either not enrolling school age children or "any situation that arises will be handled appropriately and in compliance with liscensing standards."

[MunchkinWrangler]

I had this question! It also stated that the children are found naked. I had a hard time with this question at the beginning also. The bottom line is children are mimicking obviously a real life event of going to the doctor and their shouldn't be any sexual connotations put on a child's play. They are looking to see if you try to shame them for being curious about each other's bodies. I was told that obviously children should be discouraged from removing their clothes unless we are toileting and such. But that might be a sign that children are curious about their bodies and we should then teach them about their bodies and how they work.

Basically, I was told the signs of any abuse and that type of play isn't it.

[Unregistered]

I had this question! It also stated that the children are found naked. I had a hard time with this question at the beginning also. The bottom line is children are mimicking obviously a real life event of going to the doctor and their shouldn't be any sexual connotations put on a child's play. They are looking to see if you try to shame them for being curious about each other's bodies. I was told that obviously children should be discouraged from removing their clothes unless we are toileting and such. But that might be a sign that children are curious about their bodies and we should then teach them about their bodies and how they work.

Basically, I was told the signs of any abuse and that type of play isn't it.

Thank you!! Makes sense that we were both asked that question.. I'm from Minnesota too. I appreciate your help

[Blackcat31]

I am in MN too. Those questions are NOT part of the STATE licensing process. I refused to turn one in.

The questions are absurd!

I took this one to DHS and to the MLFCCA and neither could find a state regulation saying we had to answer those questions.

[Unregistered]

I am in MN too. Those questions are NOT part of the STATE licensing process. I refused to turn one in.

The questions are absurd!

I took this one to DHS and to the MLFCCA and neither could find a state regulation saying we had to answer those questions.

How long ago were you licensed? Maybe this is a new thing required?

[MunchkinWrangler]

I am in MN too. Those questions are NOT part of the STATE licensing process. I refused to turn one in.

The questions are absurd!

I took this one to DHS and to the MLFCCA and neither could find a state regulation saying we had to answer those questions.

I had to answer a packet of questions for my initial licensing. You are required to fill out a detailed answer to every question or it's considered incomplete. There are questions ranging from activities for each age group to how do you change a diaper or feed a baby. Some of the questions are plain ridiculous to be honest but it's an assessment to see if you know basics childcare and how to handle situations you might encounter doing childcare on a formal basis.

Some of the questions are unrealistic or just plain silly. I even told my initial licensor this and she said some people don't even try to answer the questions or can't come up with an educated answer.

[MunchkinWrangler]

Thank you!! Makes sense that we were both asked that question.. I'm from Minnesota too. I appreciate your help

No problem, I just got officially licensed last October and I'm cute starting my renewal process. They changed a lot of things again within this year even. So I'm stressed again!

[MunchkinWrangler]

Just not cute!::

[Unregistered]

Mn here too.

I would be tempted to answer it just as the way you took it - two kids playing doctor. "I would observe their play, and supplement with whatever appropriate implements I had on hand, such as hospital gowns, stethoscope, etc."

And I know of a provider in Mn who took the "this is developmentally appropriate play" stance in a situation like this, and lost her license. She had stopped the "exploration" part of the play, as not appropriate in child care, but stated that she believed it was innocent and developmentally appropriate. She had support of all of her families, and licensing didn't care.

[Blackcat31]

How long ago were you licensed? Maybe this is a new thing required?

I've been licensed for over 20+ yrs.

The questionnaire you are referring to is NOT required for initial licensing nor for re-licensing.

I had to answer a packet of questions for my initial licensing. You are required to fill out a detailed answer to every question or it's considered incomplete. There are questions ranging from activities for each age group to how do you change a diaper or feed a baby. Some of the questions are plain ridiculous to be honest but it's an assessment to see if you know basics childcare and how to handle situations you might encounter doing childcare on a formal basis.

Some of the questions are unrealistic or just plain silly. I even told my initial licensor this and she said some people don't even try to answer the questions or can't come up with an educated answer.

There are two different forms. The one you are talking about in regards to age ranges, toys and activities is the one the state requires you to fill out.

The second "provider questionnaire" where they ask you about playing Dr is NOT a state requirement.

Just because it's included in the packet doesn't mean its required. If it were a state requirement it would be included in the multi-page application that IS required.
The state has no right to ask you about your childhood or your family background etc.

[Blackcat31]

Mn here too.

I would be tempted to answer it just as the way you took it - two kids playing doctor. "I would observe their play, and supplement with whatever appropriate implements I had on hand, such as hospital gowns, stethoscope, etc."

And I know of a provider in Mn who took the "this is developmentally appropriate play" stance in a situation like this, and lost her license. She had stopped the "exploration" part of the play, as not appropriate in child care, but stated that she believed it was innocent and developmentally appropriate. She had support of all of her families, and licensing didn't care.

Depending on which type of "Doctor" the kids are playing it may not be developmentally appropriate.

My point is that they can not ask the provider what she would do in this situation.... there are way too many variable and way too many personal and private influences and factors to be considered for a provider to properly answer that question. It is a leading question and one that purposely places the potential provider in a bad spot.

The state does NOT require those types of questions. I would stand my ground but not based on any personal thoughts or beliefs but based on the fact that DHS does not have a regulation stating providers (even potential providers) have to answer that question (or similar questions)

[MunchkinWrangler]

I've been licensed for over 20+ yrs.

The questionnaire you are referring to is NOT required for initial licensing nor for re-licensing.




There are two different forms. The one you are talking about in regards to age ranges, toys and activities is the one the state requires you to fill out.

The second "provider questionnaire" where they ask you about playing Dr is NOT a state requirement.

Just because it's included in the packet doesn't mean its required. If it were a state requirement it would be included in the multi-page application that IS required.
The state has no right to ask you about your childhood or your family background etc.

My instructions said that my application would be considered incomplete and I would be denied a license. It was made out to be a requirement of my licensing process.

That's why I suppose I get negative on here. I believe everything is so progressive and bureaucratic and it's just caring for children. Not to belittle it but that should be the easy part. It is basically a way for the state and the county to say "Look this is what we are doing right, the provider was wrong!" I don't want to be part of a system that makes me out to be the bad guy. As much as they say they are for you, some situations I've seen don't imply that.

Don't get me wrong, my initial licensor empowered me on many aspects of starting this business but that is one person.

[Annalee]

My instructions said that my application would be considered incomplete and I would be denied a license. It was made out to be a requirement of my licensing process.

That's why I suppose I get negative on here. I believe everything is so progressive and bureaucratic and it's just caring for children. Not to belittle it but that should be the easy part. It is basically a way for the state and the county to say "Look this is what we are doing right, the provider was wrong!" I don't want to be part of a system that makes me out to be the bad guy. As much as they say they are for you, some situations I've seen don't imply that.

Don't get me wrong, my initial licensor empowered me on many aspects of starting this business but that is one person.

I understand exactly what you are saying! Every situation is different....no consistency leads to chaos! Happens here all the time! There are so many departments no one knows what the others rules are and providers lives hang in the balance!