Assistant Questions

[Preschool/daycare teacher]

I have some questions for those of you who have an assistant(s): I've noticed several posts on other threads and there's usually some kind of negative comment regarding their assistant(s). I know not many people are the most fun to deal with day in and day out, 5 days a week, all day, working close together like you do in a home daycare. One of my questions are: (1)when you have a complaint about one, even something as simple as them being "too slow" or "wasteful", do you ever mention anything to them about it, or hint around, or do you just deal with it, but have that negative feeling toward your assistant each time they do whatever it is you don't like? (I'm usually the type who will let the little things go un-mentioned in relationships, even when it bugs me).
(2) What are the little things (usually your pet peeves), that bug you about them? I know they're there because working that close together with someone each and every day will almost ALWAYS bring up some kind of irritant.
I am sort of an assistant, and know I get on the owner's nerves sometimes, and her on mine, but I'd like to know your opinions on having to work that closely with someone you've hired so I'd have some kind of idea whether that aspect of having an assistant would be something I'd want to deal with when I open my own daycare. In other words: (3) do you find it worth it to have an assistant, or if you could get around it, would you just work alone (not counting the financial side of it)?
From an assistants view point, I'd think it'd be better having someone to lessen the load and help out, someone "adult" to have around, a second pair of eyes, etc. But I have heard several comments about assistants and wonder if my mind would change if the roles were reversed (If I were the owner instead).
So please give me your thoughts!

[Preschool/daycare teacher]

NannyDE, do you have any thoughts? I know you have a lot of experience with assistants and child care center staff. You train them right? Do you find it all worth it? It's not something that I have to know RIGHT now, but I was thinking about it the other day, and I'm one who likes to plan ahead. Sometimes way ahead, before I do something. Deciding how many children I would want to take depends on whether I want to have an assistant, and if it would be worth it for the extra children's income. Some people just aren't the easiest to deal with...how do you train them so that they are who you want working with you?

[nannyde]

I am working on a blog about staff assistants. I will try to get that up in the next few days. It's going to be at least two parts. Maybe three


In the meantime maybe you can look up some of my old posts:

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13593&highlight=obese

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14639&highlight=obese

[cheerfuldom]

I think it is way better to start without an assistant and get your bearings in childcare before adding something like an employee to the mix. I am only looking for the basic with my assistants meaning someone punctual, reliable, upbeat attitude and willing to at least play with the kids. Anything else is a bonus. Unfortunately it has been very difficult to find anyone that is punctual and able to handle more than 2 or 3 kids at a time. I have done extensive interviews, pay a good rate, even hired a current public school teacher and still cannot keep anyone longer than a few months. My own preferences have long since fallen by the wayside and all I ask is that they show up and be nice to the kids! I fired 3 people in just this last year.....the public school teacher had the kids in chaos and she was so frazzled and overwhelmed, another worked at a preschool before coming here and said it was too much for her (we have 6 kids max and they are a good bunch, no lie) and the last I fired because she came to work crying in front of the parents, telling them her personal problems and was so emotional all the time due to boyfriend drama and whatnot. Finally I have a great assistant and yes she bugs me on a few things but I can put all that aside if she continues to show up on time with a smile on her face and ready to keep the kids busy.

[cheerfuldom]

After reading nanny's first link I have to add that I had over 40 responses when I advertised and only two applicants responded to my response to them, filled out the application, made VERY basic requirements and actually showed up to interview. I have also had the cell phone issues and the mom bringing their kid issues. It is very rare for a mom to be able to handle their own child amongst a group of children. Many daycares and schools do not allow this scenario for good reasons. Both of my previous assistants with kids had issues with the kid wanting to be held all the time and screaming thru nap time. Normally I would have termed the kid but in this case, the assistant and the kid were a package deal. Plus I had one mom that wanted to BF here at the end of her shift and ended up staying for up to 40minutes after her shifts and wake up the kids on her way out (and she only lived maybe 10 minutes tops from me).

[PeanutsGalore]

I am working on a blog about staff assistants. I will try to get that up in the next few days. It's going to be at least two parts. Maybe three


In the meantime maybe you can look up some of my old posts:

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13593&highlight=obese

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...ighlight=obese

NannyDe, will you be including info on interviewing them? I'm looking for a daycare assistant and would love to hear your take on the subject.

[wdmmom]

When I started out, I did it on my own. During the summer, I hired a college student to help out about 15 hours a week. She helped do the weekly sanitizing, some cleaning and helped with the infants and my own kids (schoolagers).

I hired another lady who ended up only working for me for about a month. She got married and got offered a job through a high-end insurance company. (She would have been a fool not to take a job like that!)

I worked by myself for awhile after she left.

I then hired my sister in law and she worked for me for 7 months.

I then was by myself again for awhile.

I advertised the position on Craigslist and had an overwhelming response! I had over 30 people contact me in the 5 days I had the ad up! Of course I had to weed through the crazies and weirdos but I found someone that I thought I would work with wonderfully. She worked for me for a year and still helps out if I need it.

My most recent assistant is new to the working world. This is her first actual job aside babysitting/nannying. She's been here for 4 months now and so far, I haven't had an issue I can't resolve.

There are pros and cons about all the people I've had work for me. No one does anything quite like I do. It took me awhile to get past that at first!

[Crystal]

I'd say that if the little things that "get on nerves" are not discussed, and there is a feeling of tension in the air, someone is being passive-aggressive, then it is not a very healthy working relationship. I could NOT work like that. I think it is important to be able to discuss those little issues before they become BIG issues.

I also think it is important for the owner/supervisor to be a leader rather than just a manager. You lead by example.....and being passive-aggressive is not a way to lead, IMO.

[Crystal]

Some other things I think are important:

Have a written job description, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Also have a clearly defined procedural policy regarding employee disciplinary action.

Provide a THOROUGH orinetion - a.k.a on-the-job-paid-training. This should include a tour of the entire program, modeling the responsibilities of the tasks the assistant will be required to perform.

WELCOME your assistant to come to you with any and all concerns and be willing to listen impartially, being considerate of those concerns and willing to negotiate when your assistant has a valid concern.

[dEHmom]

I have been wondering this for a while, but for those of you that have part time assistants, how much do you pay them? I mean, assuming they are not doing this as a main source of income, what % of your earnings do you dish out to an assistant?

Nanny- I'm sure your assistants are well paid, and I could never match that. But I'm just wondering, because I was thinking of hiring a distant unrelated relative who is fairly young (11- 14 yrs old) to help watch the kids, clean up toys, help make lunches etc. I also thought it would be nice to get them to wash the toys for me, and help keep them or get them organized. Maybe even mop and stuff. But I feel like that might be asking too much. And I don't know how much I'd be willing to sacrifice in terms of money, because I find I am tight enough as it is. And taking on an extra child just for the summertime would not be an option.

[MarinaVanessa]

Some other things I think are important:

Have a written job description, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Also have a clearly defined procedural policy regarding employee disciplinary action.

Any way you'd be willing to share this? I've been thinking about getting a p/t helper and other people's ideas are great.

[Crystal]

Any way you'd be willing to share this? I've been thinking about getting a p/t helper and other people's ideas are great.

What I have is for my student teachers, as my assistants are my husband and my daughter, but I'd be willing to re-write/add to it to work for an assistant.

[MarinaVanessa]

What I have is for my student teachers, as my assistants are my husband and my daughter, but I'd be willing to re-write/add to it to work for an assistant.

I wouldn't want you to have to do all of that, I can always do that myself to save you the trouble. The "assistant" is a 15yo that wants to volunteer during school breaks and after school. She's interested in child development and wants to start baby-sitting but has no real experience other than her own siblings. This will give her experience with direct supervision and it will get me free help for a while. If she does well I can write her a letter of recommendation and/or refer to to people that I know. I wanted it to be formal however with some type of guideline and expectations since it will be more than just watching and playing with the kids. Who knows, she might be very good (she's excellent with my 8mo DS) and I might hire her later. I like the idea of being able to train her to the way I do things and starting with a clean slate.

[nannyde]

I have been wondering this for a while, but for those of you that have part time assistants, how much do you pay them? I mean, assuming they are not doing this as a main source of income, what % of your earnings do you dish out to an assistant?

Nanny- I'm sure your assistants are well paid, and I could never match that. But I'm just wondering, because I was thinking of hiring a distant unrelated relative who is fairly young (11- 14 yrs old) to help watch the kids, clean up toys, help make lunches etc. I also thought it would be nice to get them to wash the toys for me, and help keep them or get them organized. Maybe even mop and stuff. But I feel like that might be asking too much. And I don't know how much I'd be willing to sacrifice in terms of money, because I find I am tight enough as it is. And taking on an extra child just for the summertime would not be an option.

I have had a number of teens and it worked out really well. They stayed an average of three years each.

Had them come in three hour blocks from three p.m. to six and two three hour blocks in the summer and on breaks.

My first one in 93 was three bucks an hour. with a dollar an hour raise every year. Every year under their belt they become more and more valuable to you so give them raises every year. I also give anniversary bonus, 18 paid days per year, and a christmas bonus of two weeks salary. With my staff assistant that was with me for 7.5 years total she received a 500 dollar bonus when she hit the fifth year. I helped her buy her first car. ;-) I also took her to Europe and Prince Edward Island with me when she was a kid. I paid her and she got a couple of cool trips....

I can't advise you on pay because I don't know what your state requires law wise for kids under the age of 18.

I always went for the oldest child in the family and preference to ones who had much younger siblings (ten year age difference or more). If they are a family that requires their kid to do chores and have responsibility then the kid is happy to do that at your house for money instead of for free.

I wanted a kid that did not do extracurricular activities, was at least a B student (no worky here if you don't get good grades), lived within walking distance to my house, and was NOT responsible for the care of their younger sibs after school.

I had them do all cleaning, laundry folding, chop veggies and fruit, and watch the kids play toys. I did not have them play with the kids or do any educational activities with the kids. Their jobs with the kids was JUST to supervise play and meals and change diapers. NO book reading, arts and crafts, educational.... nothing like that.

When they got old enough to drive then I had them run errands for me. I pay double the tax rate for mileage. So if it's .50 a mile I give 1.00 a mile plus time to shop and run errands.

I had a wonderful relationship with the teens. I became the second Mama. My second and fourth staff assistant brought their kids to me for a few years... that was a blessing like no other.

Bottom line with teenagers is to teach them.... you take care of me and I will TAKE CARE of you. Work HARD and do as I say. If you do... this will be an amazing job for you and I will help you get your next job... and the next. I can teach you a trade that you can carry with you into adulthood to either make a living or to raise your own.

WORD OF CAUTION: do not allow ANY cell phone usage. Get that straight from second one. No "distracted" teens in my house.

[dEHmom]

I have had a number of teens and it worked out really well. They stayed an average of three years each.

Had them come in three hour blocks from three p.m. to six and two three hour blocks in the summer and on breaks.

My first one in 93 was three bucks an hour. with a dollar an hour raise every year. Every year under their belt they become more and more valuable to you so give them raises every year. I also give anniversary bonus, 18 paid days per year, and a christmas bonus of two weeks salary. With my staff assistant that was with me for 7.5 years total she received a 500 dollar bonus when she hit the fifth year. I helped her buy her first car. ;-) I also took her to Europe and Prince Edward Island with me when she was a kid. I paid her and she got a couple of cool trips....

I can't advise you on pay because I don't know what your state requires law wise for kids under the age of 18.

I always went for the oldest child in the family and preference to ones who had much younger siblings (ten year age difference or more). If they are a family that requires their kid to do chores and have responsibility then the kid is happy to do that at your house for money instead of for free.

I wanted a kid that did not do extracurricular activities, was at least a B student (no worky here if you don't get good grades), lived within walking distance to my house, and was NOT responsible for the care of their younger sibs after school.

I had them do all cleaning, laundry folding, chop veggies and fruit, and watch the kids play toys. I did not have them play with the kids or do any educational activities with the kids. Their jobs with the kids was JUST to supervise play and meals and change diapers. NO book reading, arts and crafts, educational.... nothing like that.

When they got old enough to drive then I had them run errands for me. I pay double the tax rate for mileage. So if it's .50 a mile I give 1.00 a mile plus time to shop and run errands.

I had a wonderful relationship with the teens. I became the second Mama. My second and fourth staff assistant brought their kids to me for a few years... that was a blessing like no other.

Bottom line with teenagers is to teach them.... you take care of me and I will TAKE CARE of you. Work HARD and do as I say. If you do... this will be an amazing job for you and I will help you get your next job... and the next. I can teach you a trade that you can carry with you into adulthood to either make a living or to raise your own.

WORD OF CAUTION: do not allow ANY cell phone usage. Get that straight from second one. No "distracted" teens in my house.

Thanks Nan!

I figured if I asked for a roughly 2.5 hour block midday (maybe 10:30am-1:00pm) this would help me out during my most busy time of the day. During the school year the 1:30-3:30 timeframe would be best but I know NO ONE who would be able to do this and I don't want to hire someone I do not know, at least not right now. But I just didn't know if it was right to hire someone to be basically a maid for that time . I was thinking even 3 days a week for about 20 bucks a week.

Oh and I definitely would not allow cell phones or internet.