Is Running A DC Really That Bad?

[QualiTcare]

Do you have an elementary education degree?

i was wondering the same thing. usually when someone has a degree they will say it bluntly, but if not it's "i went to school to be a ______" and most people won't realize they only WENT - they didn't finish and work as a (fill in the blank).

[LittleD]

You would think so by reading this board, wouldn't you? It's led me to believe that home daycare providers are the most negative, disrespectful people on the planet. The way they talk about the children they care for and their parents is appalling!

If the shoe fits...

[Christina72684]

Yes I have an elementary education degree. I tried for 2 years to get a job, but then had my daughter 3 months ago, which lead me to deciding to open my 0wn daycare.

[youretooloud]

It totally depends on the clients you have.

At one time in my career I had the WORST clients. I loved, loved, loved my job.. I was excited every day! But, some of the parents were nightmares.

Now, I'm less enthusiastic, but still love it. However, I seriously have the best clients ever! I appreciate these parents so much.

I needed a backbone, and I needed to learn what kind of parent I want to work with. It's best to work with people who have similar parenting styles.

[PitterPatter]

You would think so by reading this board, wouldn't you? It's led me to believe that home daycare providers are the most negative, disrespectful people on the planet. The way they talk about the children they care for and their parents is appalling!

Ok that's just rude and ignorant to make such a blanket statement like that! I happen to adore my daycare kids I have had in care and I go above and beyond the call of duty so to speak! If u search back I am the one who has been used and abused by not only some DCMs but a couple children as well! I would love to have u come and take my place for a day or 2 and see how u like some of the things I have encountered!

Are u a registered member just hiding or are u just trolling to piss people off?

And since u claim home daycare providers are the most negative... what are u? Provider or parent? We are the most negative, disrespectful people on the planet huh... Hello pot, YOU'RE black!

[Unregistered]

I see, so it is alright for providers to make blanket statements and assumptions about parents but no one can call providers out on it. There are a few members here who are so holier-than-thou and could stand to be taken down a peg. I'm sick of the attitude that providers are better for the kids than their own parents.

[Vesta]

I see, so it is alright for providers to make blanket statements and assumptions about parents but no one can call providers out on it. There are a few members here who are so holier-than-thou and could stand to be taken down a peg. I'm sick of the attitude that providers are better for the kids than their own parents.

Occasionally I have to get on to some of the children in my group for certain misbehaviors. I will usually make a blanket statement of "we need to be eating our food, not playing with it", or "let's all use our inside voices".
This is usually followed up with little grunts or sour faces from the children who were using their inside voices or just chowing down on their food.
I then have to remind them that if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing not to worry about it. I wasn't talking to them. Thanks for doing what you were supposed to do.

If you're not doing the same thing as the parents the providers are complaining about, don't worry about it. They're not talking about you.

[kidkair]

I see, so it is alright for providers to make blanket statements and assumptions about parents but no one can call providers out on it. There are a few members here who are so holier-than-thou and could stand to be taken down a peg. I'm sick of the attitude that providers are better for the kids than their own parents.

There are many of us who believe that the children are better off with their parents which leads to complaining when the kid is dropped off and the parent goes back home for the day. Some of us even offer discounts for early pick up times to encourage the parents to spend time with their kid on a daily basis. We spend so much effort raising these children that it pains us when they come in with an attitude or behavior that we don't like and know they got it from their parents.

That said it's sad to say that many of us really are better for the kids. We are educated in child needs and are forced to follow strict safety guidelines. We love the children and spend enormous amount of time with them. There are threads that list mild neglect caused by the parents some times due to lack of knowledge in raising kids but often because the parents do not want to deal with raising a kid. Many of us push for these parents to correct their behavior toward the child and in the mean time with clean the kid up and move on with our day constantly watching the child for signs of serious neglect and abuse. It breaks our hearts to see a child unloved by their parents and we shower them with what we have so that their day may still be a happy one.

A great deal of parents who use daycare are ones who got pregnant by mistake and haven't a clue how to raise children. If they are open to learning we can help them out but many aren't open to advise and shut our suggestions out. Yes these are blanket statements but they fit the clientele we are currently faced with on a daily basis.

The wonderful parents out there are currently staying home with their kid and raising them away from daycare. The wonderful parents I have in my daycare would love to spend every minute with their kid but need to work instead. We have our disagreements and the kids act differently at home then here but that is life.

We focus on the bad so we can right it. There's no need to fixate on the good because you can't fix what is not broken. I love that so many parents are able to stay at home with their kids.

Each of us is different and there is no perfect way to raise children but we are trying to make today wonderful for all the kids in our care so that tomorrow will be even better.

[nannyde]

I'm sick of the attitude that providers are better for the kids than their own parents.

I'm not better for my day care kids than their parents. I've never said anything like that. In fact, I'm pretty picky about making sure that the parents I work with have substantial DAILY awake time with their parents so that me being better for the kids doesn't happen.

I don't provide care to parents who want me to be better for the kids. That is a huge problem with this society. It's very difficult to find parents who don't want that.

Now I don't believe parents can decide what is best for their child in MY care. I have to decide that. I'm the one responsible for every decision and responsible for the well being and happiness of myself, my son, my staff assistant, and the other children. I'm also required to follow govermental rules and regs AND best practice standards as I determine what is best. A parent isn't able to make decisions for their child for any decision that could affect the others or comprimise my ability to follow the rules. A parent doesn't get to make decisions that make me unhappy and comprimise my ability to continue the business week after week... year after year. A parent doesn't get to make decisions that will affect my money .. specifically services that are not built into the fee structure of the services.

It's best to find providers who agree with what you want for your child. That's the parents job. If your provider isn't providing the care you want then YOU have to find the one who does. It's not personal. It's not being the boss of the provider. It's understanding that she offers a service and you decide if you would like to use the services SHE decides to offer.

[Unregistered]

I see, so it is alright for providers to make blanket statements and assumptions about parents but no one can call providers out on it. There are a few members here who are so holier-than-thou and could stand to be taken down a peg. I'm sick of the attitude that providers are better for the kids than their own parents.

I SO agree with this . Glad someone FINALLY said it.

[Kaddidle Care]

Ahh - I see it's the weekend again.

To the original OP - you have to weigh the pros and cons - list them if you need. You have to do what works for you. If your children are young, a Home Daycare situation may be best for you. One advantage is that it's your home, your rules and you are free to pick and choose your clients.

I never had a contract with the parents of the children I watched. The first child was a school age that was unruly and didn't mind me well. It didn't work out well so I termed. 2nd child was a dream - I treated her like my own and had a ball. Her parents were much more on the same page as me and we meshed well - we are still friends/neighbors 14 years later. I also took on a Kindergartener who arrived around 8:00 and we had lunch together before she went off on the bus with my oldest. Her Mom was home at the end of the school day. She was another dream.

Then years later I stupidly volunteered to watch one of my son's friends after school until Mom picked up FOR FREE - it didn't work out. The first time she was late she called to say her meeting ran late. After that, she didn't even call when running late and made me late or miss things that I had planned for the evening. My son also got tired of his "friend" breaking his toys and laughing. The other boy is just not right in the head so again, I termed.

I like working in a Center better. I tend to be timid (lack backbone?) about enforcing things with parents and at the center we have a director that deals with these things. I don't open or close so I don't have to deal with early birds or late parents. It's pretty darned good! Pay isn't so hot but oh well, they work around the hours that I can work. It is a different world though.

Sorry for the book.

[Mom_of_two]

I have had different experiences- I have never worked with a family that is not close, involved, etc etc. I feel like I am a very small part of the puzzle- they like me and my service, but they are wonderful parents who just happen to work outside the home. In all of my families (three at a time) the mom and dad are both involved. Starting to think I have been very lucky! Maybe the town or area? Not sure. Daycare is a stressful job like many other jobs at some point in the day or another- but it is also wonderful. Just like other jobs, if it isn't for you it isn't for you, though.

[cheerfuldom]

My experience has been that most of the parents have A LOT of opinions on what they want done but have no idea on how to get there and no patience/tolerance/commitment to do it themselves. High standards for what I should be able to do but not the same standard for themselves. They don't want me to replace them, just do the hard work of training/teaching/etc their kid so they can reap the benefits. I have gotten better and better at finding better families to work with but I still see this a lot. They want me to potty train, wean from various items, get their kid to nap/behave/eat or whatever.

[Live and Learn]

it seems like A LOT of people are ranting, raving, and complaining. I went to school to become an elementary school teacher and was in the schools for 2 years, so I know how frustrating it can be to work with kids.

In my own experience I have loved this job and the children that I have cared for.

::Over the years I think I have become less tolerant of the parents though.::

I think most providers who have done this work for at least a few years have probably had a parent try to pass off a sick kid or some other little disrespectful "trick." After awhile this can wear on your nerves.


I love all my lil dc kiddies but sometimes the parents can be a bit of a chore. I just don't think the parents realize that the world doesn't revolve around them and their needs sometimes.....or so it would seems by their sometimes outrageous requests and assumptions.

I think for the most part when you read this forum you will find providers venting and ranting mostly about the parents and not the lil kiddos.

::Keep in mind this forum is a safe place for us to rant and rave to people who truly have been there and done that!!!::

This forum has been a blessing for my hubbie who doesn't have to shoulder the burden of listening to me carry on about the parents.

In the end it is all about respect.
Good luck.

[wdmmom]

I think the unregistered guests on here are one and the same trying to make it sound like there are others that agree.

Each and everyday is new and you can make it what ever you want it to be. However, sometimes you encounter cranky kids and disrespectful parents or those that have blatent disregard for the rules and regulations you have set forth.

Sometimes you are fortunate to get a great group of kids and wonderful families.

I've never suggested that I'm a better solution for my DCK's than their parents. In fact, being on this forum, I don't think I've ever read a post that said anything like that.

If you are wanting to start a daycare, go for it. Give it some time...you'll have a rant or a rave on here too eventually. No job is ever perfect.