For Parents Of Children In Home Daycares

[mac60]

Very well said.....after I spent 3 hours after I closed, shampooing carpet due to child puking on it, snowblowing the drive 2 times to make entrance safe, several loads of dc laundry which inclued the puky towels, mopping the floor, disinfecting the toys, and I got no $$$ for it.

[dEHmom]

Thanks mac60.

I forgot to mention up there, when I mentioned the deductions, For me, I don't make enough to deduct anything! So I just want people to realize as well, that if you have 2 or 3 kids in my care, and I offer you a discount, not only am I not bringing up my income to a level where I can take off even 50 dollars of taxes, I'm the one getting screwed!

Sorry for the language, I don't know how else to state that.
Because I have my own children, I cannot take on enough full time children that I can make enough income to start deducting. Next September one of my children will be starting school on an every other day basis. So that means every 2nd day I could take on an extra kid (casual or part time) but that's going to be to find a person who needs the same day I have free every week.

[Unregistered]

See both sides....

I see both sides of this issue and as a daycare provider it bothers me when parents talk bad about their provider. If you are unhappy find a provider you can work with. There are so many good ones out there.
I do not get paid vacation or sick but I do get paid holidays. I understand that it is hard to pay a provider when not getting services. I care deeply for all the children in my care and open my home to them. I do expect respect from my parents and open communication. If you have a problem discuss it. If you cant live with it then find new daycare. You should have a close relationship like family with your provider and if you don't, I feel bad for all involved.
I am not in this for the money as if after expenses its a huge salary, its because I enjoy it and get to spend my day laughing and playing with children.
Its a family business and all parties have to be happy in order to make it work.
Good Luck....

https://www.daycareheadquarters.com

[dEHmom]

If you are unhappy find a provider you can work with. There are so many good ones out there.
You should have a close relationship like family with your provider and if you don't, I feel bad for all involved.
I am not in this for the money as if after expenses its a huge salary, its because I enjoy it and get to spend my day laughing and playing with children.
Its a family business and all parties have to be happy in order to make it work.
Good Luck....
www.daycareheadquarters.com

I agree with is. I am in this because I love children, but at the same time, also for the money, this is my income, it's how I put food on my table.

All parties DO have to be happy and feel as though they are very close friends or family. I couldn't imagine leaving my child with someone that I wouldn't want to talk to, or be around otherwise.

[Unregistered]

I do not agree with caregivers getting paid vacations and any paid days off. There are benefits to being self employed and downfalls. I think that if a caregiver needs a vacation it should be that persons responsibility to find an appropriate "fill in" while taking a day off. Does your company shut down when the president takes a day off? So, here the parents are having to pay for a caregivers time off while finding and paying someone else to watch their kids. So, they have to pay double for the caregivers day off. People that provide care for other peoples children in their own home should account for the fact that alot of us have costs related to our jobs. Example: education, transporation, clothing, childcare, tools,etc. You aren't this persons employer you are a customer purchasing a service and if the service is not received you should not pay. If you are worried about your caregiver not getting enough rest or time to take care of themselves and you want to offer to pay that is different than being charged for a service not received.

So your employer also is paying for a "service" - you are being paid to do a job/service. Your employer also has costs. So maybe they shouldn't pay you for days off, sick days, personal days, vacation time etc... **** it up and get used to it. When your kid is in school, you'll need to cover a lot more days off with/without pay. Instead of whining about paying TUITION (because if you're in a GOOD center that's what it is) be grateful that your child is being taken care of of 10 hours a day. We're not babysitters. If you want one, look on sittercity and pay $15 AN HOUR. And good luck with that - cheapskate.

[Angelwings36]

I would just like to say that us caregivers also have costs related to our jobs........food(to feed your kids not mine), transportation (if you do before and after school), damage to our homes and things in our homes(caused by YOUR children), carpet cleaning (that has to be done at least once a month), Education (because you do have to have some type of it), toys ( i could go on forever).

You provide a service for a fee, daycare provider or babysitter, which as far as I am concerned should go hand in hand. You took on the all the advantages and disadvantages when you decided to take on the responsiblity of a daycare provider/babysitter. It's your job! That's what YOU chose to do for a living. If you feel that it's our kids who are getting you SICK, and damaging your house, causing you to clean your carpet once a month, you have a problem feeding, transporting (feeding and transporting are optional) or educating our kids. You should get OUT of the business and find something that better suits you. You don't belong taking care of children. See how easy it is to find a provider you trust with your kids and can afford! If you have children that is, which by the way if you do, I feel sorry for.

How rude! YOUR children do get us sick, do damage our homes and cause us to clean carpets, etc. No we do not have a problem feeding or educating the children...has anyone ever said that? She doesn't 'belong' taking care of children? What gives you the right to say that to someone you don't even know? And what exactly in her comments suggested she is not good at her job? 'I feel sorry for your children' honestly lady HOW BLOODY RUDE! You have no right to state any of these comments. If your upset with PROFESSIONAL PROVIDERS that care about the health and well being of YOUR children, take care of their BUSINESS and also take care of themselves when needed, maybe you should stay home and take care of your own children (that is if you have any). Good luck finding a provider with that attitude!

[Unregistered]

I disagree with some of the people posting about this subject. What people dont understand is that a lot of people have jobs that have some kind of benefits or they earn those benefits after a certain amont of time and why shouldnt we as providers deserve the same respect? From a providers perspective when a child is sick it is still the childs spot, thats why daycares expect payment when the child is sick. I understand that money is tight but it is for providrs to. Being a provider is a profession just as these parents have jobs.
In my contract I ask for 1/2 the weeks tuition if the child will be on vacation, I dont charge for vacations but parents have to have there own back up (they know this upon enrollment) It is a huge loss for me when I go on vacation but I do it b/c to me it feels right. Remember that home daycares are small businesses.

[Unregistered]

I'm very torn on this subject, just like a lot of others. I do value my daycare providers: I know my son is getting nutritious meals, time outside, he's learning new things every day, he still gets time to just be a kid, I know he's safe and well cared for.

I have read through a lot of posts and I honestly can see both sides of the argument. My situation at the moment is one where my daycare providers did not specify sick time in their contract but have now taken sick days (where I had to find and pay for alternate care) and expected (and received) pay for those days. I asked about it, since it was not in their contract and the wife (its a husband and wife team so "group home") said they get paid for sick days. I said that its not in the contract so how many days? She said they would have to address that and ammend their contract. Well, new contracts came out and now it does say that staff and child sick days will be paid. No limit to the number of sick days for "staff" (husband and wife..and if one of them is sick they have closed since they need both to be there in order to have all 12 kids....I suppose if one was sick and unable to work the other could maybe still work but only keep 6 kids and which six then?) and I'm bothered by that. I'm not sure how to handle it.

Also, I wanted to point out in the argument about how we should pay minimum wage to our providers.....it would be one thing if my daycare provider was working for JUST me...I could see that argument making sense then. But seeing as my daycare providers are serving 11 other children that doens't make sense. The $2.60/hr I pay plus the $2.60/hr the parents of the other 11 children pay adds up to $31.20/hr...divide that by the two people caring for our children and they are still each making $15.60/hr. I understand that they have costs associated with caring for the children which would reduce their wages but I'm still willing to bet they make more than I do. So I'm not inclined to feel sorry for my daycare providers for making such "little" wages.

I really don't mind paying them for a week of vacation or the paid holidays I also get paid but at this point i am starting to feel a bit taken advantage of.

[QualiTcare]

I'm very torn on this subject, just like a lot of others. I do value my daycare providers: I know my son is getting nutritious meals, time outside, he's learning new things every day, he still gets time to just be a kid, I know he's safe and well cared for.

I have read through a lot of posts and I honestly can see both sides of the argument. My situation at the moment is one where my daycare providers did not specify sick time in their contract but have now taken sick days (where I had to find and pay for alternate care) and expected (and received) pay for those days. I asked about it, since it was not in their contract and the wife (its a husband and wife team so "group home") said they get paid for sick days. I said that its not in the contract so how many days? She said they would have to address that and ammend their contract. Well, new contracts came out and now it does say that staff and child sick days will be paid. No limit to the number of sick days for "staff" (husband and wife..and if one of them is sick they have closed since they need both to be there in order to have all 12 kids....I suppose if one was sick and unable to work the other could maybe still work but only keep 6 kids and which six then?) and I'm bothered by that. I'm not sure how to handle it.

Also, I wanted to point out in the argument about how we should pay minimum wage to our providers.....it would be one thing if my daycare provider was working for JUST me...I could see that argument making sense then. But seeing as my daycare providers are serving 11 other children that doens't make sense. The $2.60/hr I pay plus the $2.60/hr the parents of the other 11 children pay adds up to $31.20/hr...divide that by the two people caring for our children and they are still each making $15.60/hr. I understand that they have costs associated with caring for the children which would reduce their wages but I'm still willing to bet they make more than I do. So I'm not inclined to feel sorry for my daycare providers for making such "little" wages.

I really don't mind paying them for a week of vacation or the paid holidays I also get paid but at this point i am starting to feel a bit taken advantage of.

i don't blame you - these "paid sick days" with no limit is a little ridiculous - and we're not talking sick days for ONE person, but for two people which could add up to a few weeks really quick. i could see building in 5 days or something reasonable, but they pretty much made a contract where they can just yell "sick day" any time and get a paid day off.

[Unregistered]

"provides a specific, agreed upon service"

Childcare - daycare, babysitting, in-home or center is most definitely a "specific, agreed upon service". This includes love, puke, poop, carpet, crayons, kind words, tantrums and anything else that comes with the well charted territory.

There should absolutely be a contract that specifies contingencies for sick days (either party) vacation time, or other emergencies. It is also fairly reasonable to limit paid sick time, expect the service to be provided as agreed and establish some sort of tenure for paid vacation. Many parents have a limit on what they can budget for care - asking them to pay double for that same service (cover a provider and a back-up) is unreasonable. Changing the terms of your agreement after you have established a routine and relationship with small children is unethical beyond reasonable periodic renewals. Establish that period in your original agreement.

There are options for assistants, and ways to make this situation work. Doing your job well, being rested, having personal time are part of preparing for any employment. It is clear that many of you love your work, would not or cannot afford to do anything else. Many working parents would give anything to be able to be with their kids, too.

Also - you might spend a day as a painter or plumber.....and take into consideration the costs associated with any other field (plus childcare for your own children). Caring for children is a wonderful and respected vocation, and a privilege. If you aren't happy with your earnings, there are other jobs.

(And when was the last time you paid for 1/5th or 1/6th of a manicure?

just sign me - doing my own nails, and saving for childcare expenses

[Meeko]

i would just like to say that us caregivers also have costs related to our jobs........food(to feed your kids not mine), transportation (if you do before and after school), damage to our homes and things in our homes(caused by your children), carpet cleaning (that has to be done at least once a month), education (because you do have to have some type of it), toys ( i could go on forever). Adding in that my home is open to your children 72 hrs a week i sometimes have these kids more than there own parents!!! Oh and for only pennies on the dollar, because if we charged what we are entitled to daycare would be to expensive for anyone! So yes i will take a paid vacation and sick days off cause lets face it, most of the time its your children getting us sick! I have 15 years experience i think that entitles me to a paid vacation! I just suggest that you always read your contract if paid sick days and vacation is added in to the contract and you don't like it go somewhere else! I am a daycare provider not a babysitter!!

amen!!!!!!!!

[Meeko]

Pay

I require payment for 7 of the main holidays each year. I do not require payment if I take any personal time off.

I do however require a set monthly fee regardless of hours or attendance.

I only have a set number of places in my day care. While a child is gone for a day or two, the chances of me filling that spot for just those two days is slim to nil. So not getting paid means extra money for the parent, but I get nothing and yet they still expect me to keep the slot open for their child?

I ask parents to see it as paying rent on a spot in the day care, not payment for exact hours spent there. That "rental" is a set fee.

If someone pays a monthly rent on a house and then go on a two week vacation....do they tell the landlord he only gets half the rent because they won't be there for half the month???? No...if they want to find the house still theirs when they get back, it needs to be paid for!