Point of Grace Preschool in Waukee

[Blackcat31]

I honestly do not understand what all the hoopla about this is? This daycare center is basically asking it's employees to:

1. NOT to live in a non-marital or adulterous situation
2. NOT be homosexual or NOT practice any sexual perversions (their words)
3. NOT view *****graphy
4. NOT be a drunk
5. NOT swear like a sailor
6. to attend church
7. NOT act in a manner that isn't moral according to their definitions.

I really do not think these rules are that horrible. Albeit, I happen to be tolerant and accepting of people who are homosexual as it is their choice and I am not judgemental about it, but as far as the rest of it goes, what is the big deal?

If you don't believe in God, you more than likely aren't going to apply for employment at a religious based childcare.
If you cuss like a trucker, I'll bet it isn't in front of anyone other than close family and friends.

We have religious based schools and daycares in our community and I am pretty sure they have rules that require their attendees and employees to conduct themselves in a manner that represents them (as individuals and employees) in a positive manner.

As a child care provider, if I look at *****graphy or get charged with something like public intoxification or something similar, I will probably more than likely lose business and possibly not pass a background check for re-licensing.

As far as attending church and behaving in a Christian like manner, this is a religious based daycare so duh!, I would think they would want someone like that to not only be employees and staff but as clients too.

I wouldn't want someone who didn't believe in the power of medicine and science to be my doctor...kwim? (Probably a bad analogy but hopefully it makes the point.)

I think there are simply certain professions that the public holds to a higher standard and this is one place of employment that seems to be doing it from the inside out.

My FIL was a State Trooper for many years. He was required to be clean shaven, have a short hair cut, not get tattoos or piercings, not be seen publicly intoxicated or to conduct himself in a manner that was immoral or unethical on AND off the job. He was also encouraged to join community clubs and perform community service jobs to show good citizenship and good charater. He was held to a standard that our State Troopers wanted to reflect as who they are: law abiding, morally sound and just people.

IMHO~This daycare is really not doing anything different than that.

[mom2many]

I'm in total agreement. The media rarely portrays Christians in a positive light. We only see the crazy extremists. The ones who commit horrific crimes in the name of God. Ugh. Even on reality TV, if there is a "Christian" - I can guarantee you that he/she will be the nutjob of the group. It is so frustrating to see that scenario played out over and over again.

So true indeed!

[nannyde]

IMHO~This daycare is really not doing anything different than that.

I think it is different.

I think expecting the employee to not have premarital sex, view *****graphy on their own time, attend church on their free time, be heterosexual is very different than expecting them to be clean shaven.

Don't you think it's weird black that they don't have smoking in that stuff?

[familyschoolcare]

Don't you think it's weird black that they don't have smoking in that stuff?

They can not find a scripture verse that directly addresses not smoking and therefore would not be able to claim that it is for religious reasons. They can still have a non-smoking campus.

[JaydensMommy]

I honestly do not understand what all the hoopla about this is? This daycare center is basically asking it's employees to:

1. NOT to live in a non-marital or adulterous situation
2. NOT be homosexual or NOT practice any sexual perversions (their words)
3. NOT view *****graphy
4. NOT be a drunk
5. NOT swear like a sailor
6. to attend church
7. NOT act in a manner that isn't moral according to their definitions.

I really do not think these rules are that horrible. Albeit, I happen to be tolerant and accepting of people who are homosexual as it is their choice and I am not judgemental about it, but as far as the rest of it goes, what is the big deal?

If you don't believe in God, you more than likely aren't going to apply for employment at a religious based childcare.
If you cuss like a trucker, I'll bet it isn't in front of anyone other than close family and friends.

We have religious based schools and daycares in our community and I am pretty sure they have rules that require their attendees and employees to conduct themselves in a manner that represents them (as individuals and employees) in a positive manner.

As a child care provider, if I look at *****graphy or get charged with something like public intoxification or something similar, I will probably more than likely lose business and possibly not pass a background check for re-licensing.

As far as attending church and behaving in a Christian like manner, this is a religious based daycare so duh!, I would think they would want someone like that to not only be employees and staff but as clients too.

I wouldn't want someone who didn't believe in the power of medicine and science to be my doctor...kwim? (Probably a bad analogy but hopefully it makes the point.)

I think there are simply certain professions that the public holds to a higher standard and this is one place of employment that seems to be doing it from the inside out.

My FIL was a State Trooper for many years. He was required to be clean shaven, have a short hair cut, not get tattoos or piercings, not be seen publicly intoxicated or to conduct himself in a manner that was immoral or unethical on AND off the job. He was also encouraged to join community clubs and perform community service jobs to show good citizenship and good charater. He was held to a standard that our State Troopers wanted to reflect as who they are: law abiding, morally sound and just people.

IMHO~This daycare is really not doing anything different than that.

I agree! I would send my child to this daycare, my son is starting at a christian school next month. They require a letter of recommendation from our pastor as well as requiring that we live by what their purpose is, which is to live by the word of God. It states that if our behavior is detrimental to the purpose of the school on or off campus our child could be expelled. I am ok with that because I want my child in a place where his teachers and peers are christians that are trying to live by the word of God.

[satcook]

I am the director of a christian childcare. While the contract we have our employees sign isn't as specific as this childcare's, our employees do have to say that they won't smoke, drink, or engage in activities contrary to how we believe.

Our center is for 12 months to school age. I would take infants, but can't get administration to approve it. :-) We have 110 kids with another 600 in K-12th grade.

We have very low staff turnover. All 6 of my childcare teachers have been here for 1-4 years. My 4 pre-k teachers have all been here at least 6 years. My aides have all been here for 1-8 years. I have been here for 3 years. We are looking for a new aide right now because we had a girl leave for college. Yes, it takes us some time to find the right employee, but it is worth it.

Our employees make 7.50 to start, and I am the highest paid at $9.25 an hour. We do offer free childcare to those that have young kids, but we have no vacation pay, sick days, etc.

The academy has been here for 25 years and the childcare for 18 years.

I admire this center. If you don't want to sign the statement, then don't work there. It's quite easy!

Lori

[Blackcat31]

Nan~ Yes, I agree that clean shaven is different but I was just trying to make a point....and yes, I would think they would include smoking but as familyschoolcare said, they probably can't find a biblical verse to support that.

I found a couple religious child care sites that "seem" to imply the same employee rules but use gentler wording: http://www.horizonchristianacademy.org/?p=333 and http://www.treeoflifedaycare.org/ Both of them require their staff to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and I would only assume that means to live accordingly. If you believe and are a practicing Christian, you usually do try to practice what you believe.

I also found this article very interesting: http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/b...uct-codes.aspx

[nannyde]

I am the director of a christian childcare. While the contract we have our employees sign isn't as specific as this childcare's, our employees do have to say that they won't smoke, drink, or engage in activities contrary to how we believe.

Our center is for 12 months to school age. I would take infants, but can't get administration to approve it. :-) We have 110 kids with another 600 in K-12th grade.

We have very low staff turnover. All 6 of my childcare teachers have been here for 1-4 years. My 4 pre-k teachers have all been here at least 6 years. My aides have all been here for 1-8 years. I have been here for 3 years. We are looking for a new aide right now because we had a girl leave for college. Yes, it takes us some time to find the right employee, but it is worth it.

Our employees make 7.50 to start, and I am the highest paid at $9.25 an hour. We do offer free childcare to those that have young kids, but we have no vacation pay, sick days, etc.

The academy has been here for 25 years and the childcare for 18 years.

I admire this center. If you don't want to sign the statement, then don't work there. It's quite easy!

Lori

Lori could we see what they do have to sign?

Offering free child care on top of minimum wage is a BIG salary for a staff assistant. That would definitely help. Here in a center that would be an additional 4.5-5.00 dollars an hour per kid of untaxed income.

That's what I'm talking about with special special. THAT'S some money especially when you are getting into a second/third kid.

If they offer THAT... and they keep their infant population really low or no infants... my guess is they can pull it off.

Just my guess though...

[wdmmom]

Everyone's way of life is different. Even with a code of ethics/conduct, it's a joke. You don't do A, B or C but you can do X Y & Z. What about D-W?! There are a lot of other topics not on here that while one person may find to be appropriate, the employer may not.

It isn't gonna be Jesus rising again, it's the unemployment rate that's going to rise again! ::

All of these rules/regulations are up for interpretation if you ask me and ultimately this employer has the upper hand. While an employee may sign the code, it doesn't guarantee their job if they do follow these things. I see it as a way to terminate and for the employee not to be eligible for unemployment if the employer deems their behavior, way of living, etc to be innappropriate.

That's bullcaca!

[erinalexmom]

I wont get into the argument of if its right or not but nan said its might be a niche market for some parents and I would agree. But I will say that I would gladly be one of those parents.

[mom2many]

I honestly do not understand what all the hoopla about this is? This daycare center is basically asking it's employees to:

1. NOT to live in a non-marital or adulterous situation
2. NOT be homosexual or NOT practice any sexual perversions (their words)
3. NOT view *****graphy
4. NOT be a drunk
5. NOT swear like a sailor
6. to attend church
7. NOT act in a manner that isn't moral according to their definitions.

I really do not think these rules are that horrible. Albeit, I happen to be tolerant and accepting of people who are homosexual as it is their choice and I am not judgemental about it, but as far as the rest of it goes, what is the big deal?

If you don't believe in God, you more than likely aren't going to apply for employment at a religious based childcare.
If you cuss like a trucker, I'll bet it isn't in front of anyone other than close family and friends.

We have religious based schools and daycares in our community and I am pretty sure they have rules that require their attendees and employees to conduct themselves in a manner that represents them (as individuals and employees) in a positive manner.

As a child care provider, if I look at *****graphy or get charged with something like public intoxification or something similar, I will probably more than likely lose business and possibly not pass a background check for re-licensing.

As far as attending church and behaving in a Christian like manner, this is a religious based daycare so duh!, I would think they would want someone like that to not only be employees and staff but as clients too.

I wouldn't want someone who didn't believe in the power of medicine and science to be my doctor...kwim? (Probably a bad analogy but hopefully it makes the point.)

I think there are simply certain professions that the public holds to a higher standard and this is one place of employment that seems to be doing it from the inside out.

My FIL was a State Trooper for many years. He was required to be clean shaven, have a short hair cut, not get tattoos or piercings, not be seen publicly intoxicated or to conduct himself in a manner that was immoral or unethical on AND off the job. He was also encouraged to join community clubs and perform community service jobs to show good citizenship and good charater. He was held to a standard that our State Troopers wanted to reflect as who they are: law abiding, morally sound and just people.

IMHO~This daycare is really not doing anything different than that.

Exactly! I just don't understand why this is causing such a stir, other than it's easy to bash a church. Having qualities, requirements and standards for employees is something every business does.

[youretooloud]

It seems very discriminatory to me.

Are you going to kick patrons out of your church for living that way?! Even the strongest bible thumper is going to have a drink every so often. What about the guy sitting in the back pew that lost his job because he's an alcoholic? Are you going to condemn him too?!

WE ARE ALL SINNERS!!!!!

That is why some choose to go to church...forgiveness of sins. Even the holy book says that we are all sinners and we all sin everyday in some way, shape or form. (Of course not those exact words.)

No two families live the same. These are rules this employer is setting forth. I'm sure there is no "grace period" or excuse if you disobey.

(For example: If you just got a phone call telling you that your sister was in a car accident and they aren't going to survive, do you mean to tell me you aren't going to swear or even take the lords name in vain?!) I guarantee 99% of us would be guilty.

This employer needs to realize that this isn't the 1960's anymore. Women do not act all prim and proper like they used to and I think that is what they are expecting.

They want June Cleaver working in their daycare center wearing dresses and high heels.

When they get off their high horse and don't have any employees or so few that they can't operate, maybe they'll realize that this isn't a democracy!

OK.. But, how many Pastors who have affairs, are alcoholics, or who cuss do you know that are still pastors? Sure, there are some, but nobody really knows about it yet. Once they get caught, they are shunned, talked about, relieved of their duties. Anybody in a teaching position within a church is kept to high standards. When I taught at a Christian school, the principal was caught having an affair, and fired immediately.

How can a church, or a church school teach high standards if it's fine for THEm to have affairs, or drink, or cuss, or do any of the things that they are teaching against.

Do you want a financial adviser that has filed for bankruptcy three times and had two foreclosures? He may be teaching how to balance a budget, but he's not doing it himself.

How about a nutritionist who is 385 pounds? Would you believe them?

A allergist who smokes?

I don't think Christians need to lower the standards just because it's not 1960. If anything it's time to raise their standards to give others with high standards a chance. Those with low standards need to build a bridge and get over it, because perhaps it's time for a little less tolerance.

[Blackcat31]

Someone I know was recently fired for having an affair with a co-worker. It was against company policy. They weren't fired for having an affair, it was the fact that it went against company policy to have a personal relationship with a co-worker.

Their company= their rules.

[Zoe]

I am honestly surprised by this. When I was applying for teaching jobs 5 years ago I applied to a Catholic School. I'm not Catholic, but I was keeping my options open because it was a general teaching job (I wouldn't have to teach about religion). I was worried that because I wasn't Catholic that I wouldn't be considered. So I called the school and said that they don't discriminate in that way and I was offered the job after my interview.

Never was I asked if I had premarital sex or was a homosexual.

Same thing happened when I applied to a daycare center that was in a church. No document to sign saying I wouldn't drink or watch p***. Honestly, I thought my two examples was the norm and I loved that! Churches following a policy of tolerance!

Now, I understand not wanting childcare providers to behave in an improper manner, but to not hire someone because of what they do outside of the job (in their own home!). I don't think it's their business. But that's just me.

And I agree with some PP: if you don't agree with what they're doing, don't apply there. You wouldn't be happy there anyway! I know I wouldn't, as I do not tolerate those who judge others based on sexuality. The whole thing angers me, but no more than hearing about other religious zealouts who I realize DO NOT represent all Christians.

If I've learned anything from this, it's that if I'm ever in Iowa, I won't be attending that church!

[mom2many]

OK.. But, how many Pastors who have affairs, are alcoholics, or who cuss do you know that are still pastors? Sure, there are some, but nobody really knows about it yet. Once they get caught, they are shunned, talked about, relieved of their duties. Anybody in a teaching position within a church is kept to high standards. When I taught at a Christian school, the principal was caught having an affair, and fired immediately.

How can a church, or a church school teach high standards if it's fine for THEm to have affairs, or drink, or cuss, or do any of the things that they are teaching against.

Do you want a financial adviser that has filed for bankruptcy three times and had two foreclosures? He may be teaching how to balance a budget, but he's not doing it himself.

How about a nutritionist who is 385 pounds? Would you believe them?

A allergist who smokes?

I don't think Christians need to lower the standards just because it's not 1960. If anything it's time to raise their standards to give others with high standards a chance. Those with low standards need to build a bridge and get over it, because perhaps it's time for a little less tolerance.

I absolutely LOVE this post! So very true in every aspect!