what is a quality family childcare prog?

[Cat Herder]

Every state?

17 years of raising great kids, happy parents, and a perfect safety record and you have been doing it wrong all along. Hard to believe.

I know...even my clients are shocked by it all. One Mom offered today to sponsor a daycare yard sale to help me get the "fence inside a fence" raised a foot, enclose the area around the ac unit with fencing and have a handwashing sink installed in the playroom (converted garage). :confused:

I may have to take her up on it.... Her husband is checking out contractors references for me.

OP, I don't want to stop you from getting Accredited...if you are going to be in this for a while you may not have a choice.

IMHO, It will just be better for you if you go on those sites above and at least order the "self evaluation kit" that tells you what they require to keep you from ending up where I am. That is all.

[SilverSabre25]

I know...even my clients are shocked by it all. One Mom offered today to sponsor a daycare yard sale to help me get the "fence inside a fence" raised a foot, enclose the area around the ac unit with fencing and have a handwashing sink installed in the playroom (converted garage). :confused:

I may have to take her up on it.... Her husband is checking out contractors references for me.

OP, I don't want to stop you from getting Accredited...if you are going to be in this for a while you may not have a choice.

IMHO, It will just be better for you if you go on those sites above and at least order the "self evaluation kit" that tells you what they require to keep you from ending up where I am. That is all.

bleh...you're kidding me, right?! Which accredidation is this, if you don't mind sharing? (Or maybe you did and I missed it). Are you serious that every state is going to start mandating that kind of stuff? source, please, if you have one!

Perhaps I need to order that transcript and get moving on that teaching license...

[Michelle]

I think a good quality program is to take care of your dck's as if they were your own, get the preschoolers ready for kinder , expose them to different cultures and customs. Send them home happy, healthy, clean, well fed ,and loved.
Did I miss anything?

[Cat Herder]

bleh...you're kidding me, right?! Which accreditation is this, if you don't mind sharing? (Or maybe you did and I missed it). Are you serious that every state is going to start mandating that kind of stuff? source, please, if you have one!

Perhaps I need to order that transcript and get moving on that teaching license...

I am doing the CDA program.

It gave a list of States that are mandating it as "The Minimal Standard". It also stated that National Accreditation was the goal with continued membership in a professional development organization being required to maintain this "Degree" (does not transfer).

It went on a bit about their representation in Washington and lobbying for a National Standard... This is all online training so you can't download or copy any of it (or I would link you or copy/paste).

I did almost "20 hours" of the 120 required today so my head is spinning, I am tired... I passed them all on the first try, though...

[Cat Herder]

I think a good quality program is to take care of your dck's as if they were your own, get the preschoolers ready for kinder , expose them to different cultures and customs. Send them home happy, healthy, clean, well fed ,and loved.
Did I miss anything?

I agree with you....

My State does not, anymore.....

[Oneluckymom]

I agree with you....

My State does not, anymore.....

Yes...you would think this is what is all about at the end of the day. I still need to check California standards for accreditation. However, I'm still awaiting licensing ::

[Michelle]

Yes...you would think this is what is all about at the end of the day. I still need to check California standards for accreditation. However, I'm still awaiting licensing ::

I'm in calif. and we don't have to have any classes except cpr/first aid, but I've been lic. for 11 years so i don't know if the newbies have to be.

[Oneluckymom]

I'm in calif. and we don't have to have any classes except cpr/first aid, but I've been lic. for 11 years so i don't know if the newbies have to be.

I'm in Cali to and yes it is just CPR and First aid for the license. Thank Goodness...any other stuff is just icing on the cake

[MissAnn]

I was wondering what defines a "quality" childcare program and how to create one for my own childcare program. Also, how do you end up getting to a point where you really don't have to advertise and the parents do it for you, LOL.

I've been open 3 years and I didn't advertise this year for fall kids (I only have 3-5 year olds so I lose about 1/3 of my kids going to kindergarten in the Fall). I had a waiting list and I'm full.

[Blackcat31]

I am doing the CDA program.

It gave a list of States that are mandating it as "The Minimal Standard". It also stated that National Accreditation was the goal with continued membership in a professional development organization being required to maintain this "Degree" (does not transfer).

It went on a bit about their representation in Washington and lobbying for a National Standard... This is all online training so you can't download or copy any of it (or I would link you or copy/paste).

I did almost "20 hours" of the 120 required today so my head is spinning, I am tired... I passed them all on the first try, though...

Cat, they were stating this very thing 17 years ago when I earned my CDA. Still my state does not require it as minimum standard training requirements to although their goal is that, it doesn't seem to be changing very quickly...:confused:

On the up side for me is that I DO get paid more due to having a CDA. The state pays me 15% more than the standard rates and since families on assistance cannot be charged more than regular families, my rates are 15% more across the board for everyone. So for me that is cha ching in MY pocket.

[nannyde]

On the up side for me is that I DO get paid more due to having a CDA. The state pays me 15% more than the standard rates and since families on assistance cannot be charged more than regular families, my rates are 15% more across the board for everyone. So for me that is cha ching in MY pocket.

Big shout out to the State of Minnesota for that one.

For fifteen percent more pay across the board for everyone I would gladly get a CDA. It would pay itself off in no time flat.

[Crystal]

I'll have to look up the exact details (no time now, will do later) but Ca. is working towards a rating system for FCC....1-5 "stars" type thing. To get the highest level, you have to have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree, get (I believe) a 6 on the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale, and numerous other indicators must be met. It's a long list of requirements just to get 2 starts.....BUT, I don't see it happening for awhile, mostly due to the budget, so if you want to get the "stars" working towards it now for the future is a good thing, but not mandatory. I attended several meetings last year about this but there has been little to no progress with the CDE and Licensing.

Now, anyone can get accredited through the National Association for Family Child Care, if you are willing to go through the rigorous process of self-study and being observed, interviewed, and meeting all of their indicators of a quality program, etc. and pay the ginormous fee attached to it, but it is not a requirement.

[Blackcat31]

Big shout out to the State of Minnesota for that one.

For fifteen percent more pay across the board for everyone I would gladly get a CDA. It would pay itself off in no time flat.

Oh, they paid me to get it too!! :::: Didn't cost me a dime!

[laundrymom]

I am awaiting my accreditation visit from NAFCC. I didn't find anything too intrusive on the forms. Nothing all that costly. I am using a teach scholarship for my CDA, for all accreditation fees, I'm actually making 600$ this year because of the program. I will be the first accredited home in my 10 county area, the first level 4 home provider. I'm so happy and excited, and,... I really believe thats why I have a waiting list in my area and with my local economy.
But it isn't required.