Children Separated by Pay Type

[MamaMightSnap]

I'm still confused. Every room in this center was part of the grant. Once, the grant materials were applied to the entire center, another make-shift room was opened for private pay babies. So, are you telling me that these children whose parents pay out-of-pocket don't receive the same standard of care as the subsidized children? What makes subsidized children "at risk"? And why is income even a factor when it comes to child care standards? I make $12/mo over the income limits for DHS subsidy in my state. I understand that there has to be defined limitations for this. However, it's absolutely insane to say that my $12/mo extra is reason to put my child in a sub-standard room. $12/mo means my child doesn't deserve the same staff with "higher training requirements". $12/mo justifies the center is allowed to not hold every room to the same standards.
As PlayCare noted, If the tables were turned and only the private pay children had access to the newest equipment while DHS children were grouped together in a separate room, this would be a HUGE issue.
I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around the idea that child care is not equal to all children, regardless of their parents income. Such discrimination is a great injustice to our children, regardless of income status.

[Blackcat31]

But it is not really.

They are still growing and adding a room. Somebody's kids had to go in there. The grant is to benefit subsidy kids, so subsidy kids get first choice of slots in new rooms.

Just like a Pre-K class and the standard "4 year old class" in the same private center. One belongs to and is over seen by the BOE, the other is a private center over seen by CCR&R. KWIM?

But that kind of separate seems so blatantly obvious and so clearly divided.... I mean atleast attempt to look as if 'everyone' has a shot...kwim?

Even Head Start accepts a certain number of children/families over income to keep up the appearance of non-discrimination.

[Cat Herder]

BC and Mama, I hear you both. lovethis You are preaching to the choir. This is why I don't accept subsidy.

It will follow you all through your childs education. It just will.

My honor kids had to share a book between 3 students while the kids with a criminal record were given laptops to take home. It is how it will be....

The only real vote we have is with our feet.

[Play Care]

It really is no different than the gifted, alternative, charter and special ed programs all throughout our public education systems. :confused:

The board of education is not interested in fair. They assume parents who can Will provide those experiences and supplies for their own children. These federal programs are for those who can't.

I also suspect some is about statistic gathering. Showing improvements in a select group.

How so? Those programs above are avalible for all students that NEED those things, regardless of income. :confused:
(I'm speaking specially to SPED programs, talented and gifted programs. In my state/area charter schools are awful and no parent in their right mind would send their kid )

One of my kids receives some sped services. We weren't told we were on our own because we had the ability pay for it. My other child is in gifted classes, same thing. The school/state provides those things. I mean, we can't force the school to allow our one child who struggles into the talented and gifted program. But that's because she's perfectly ordinary not because we make too much.

[Cat Herder]

Playcare, I was referring to the amount allocated per program.

[Cat Herder]

put my child in a sub-standard room.

I think this is the real issue. "Substandard". "Meets regulations" is now viewed as substandard.

My bet is after reading the state regulations and comparing them to the federal program regulations most will realize the new room is not actually substandard.

It is what was the norm and still above what many programs offer.

Not calling you out, Mama, just using that statement. I hear it a lot when discussing "quality" programs.

[Cat Herder]

But that kind of separate seems so blatantly obvious and so clearly divided.... I mean atleast attempt to look as if 'everyone' has a shot...kwim?

Even Head Start accepts a certain number of children/families over income to keep up the appearance of non-discrimination.

I would expect that as soon as the new room makes ratio and becomes profitable they will upgrade it themselves. A few months, maybe?

I would ask them what their improvement plan was for that room. Try to nail them down to a specific date.

[MamaMightSnap]

I think this is the real issue. "Substandard". "Meets regulations" is now viewed as substandard.

My bet is after reading the state regulations and comparing them to the federal program regulations most will realize the new room is not actually substandard.

It is what was the norm and still above what many programs offer.

Not calling you out, Mama, just using that statement. I hear it a lot when discussing "quality" programs.

I'm not fully up to date on the licensing requirements. However, I am not completely in the dark about them either. When I say "substandard", I'm comparing to the rest of the center. Perhaps I should have chosen a different word. Maybe second-rate, inferior or lesser would be more appropriate here. Whatever the chosen adjective, the actions of the center don't sit well with me. To say that one child does not deserve the same quality of environment as another based on income is atrocious. I understand why the center wants to grant money. But they should have considered the ramifications that would ensue when segregating children in this manner.

[MamaMightSnap]

I would expect that as soon as the new room makes ratio and becomes profitable they will upgrade it themselves. A few months, maybe?

I would ask them what their improvement plan was for that room. Try to nail them down to a specific date.

Yes, I will absolutely be questioning improvements to the new room. I appreciate the input from everyone involved in this thread. I now feel like I am informed enough to bring this to the director and see where it goes.

[Cat Herder]

But they should have considered the ramifications that would ensue when segregating children in this manner.

I am confident they did.

I am not trying to upset you. I am trying to explain it from a business perspective.

The risk of losing a few private pay clients did not outweigh the risk of losing a federal contract.

Again, I would expect them to upgrade as soon as the room becomes profitable enough to support it.

[MamaMightSnap]

The risk of losing a few private pay clients did not outweigh the risk of losing a federal contract.

This is what breaks my heart. It is so incredibly difficult for private pay parents to find child care in my area. The affordable centers are riddled with non-compliances. The compliant centers are out of reach or have a one year waiting list. The only reason I have a spot in this center is because I was subsidy when I enrolled.

[Cat Herder]

This is what breaks my heart. It is so incredibly difficult for private pay parents to find child care in my area. The affordable centers are riddled with non-compliances. The compliant centers are out of reach or have a one year waiting list. The only reason I have a spot in this center is because I was subsidy when I enrolled.

Mine as well. It is why I keep my rates low by applying for every grant possible without having to accept subsidy. My waiting list is at 4 years, now..

It is getting harder and harder to do. We are being forced out of business. Our ratios keep being lowered while our training, regulations and supply lists keep getting more and more expensive.

I hope you stick around the forum. You have more of an ability to make a difference than most providers with this issue. :hug:

[Thriftylady]

Mine as well. It is why I keep my rates low by applying for every grant possible without having to accept subsidy. My waiting list is at 4 years, now..

It is getting harder and harder to do. We are being forced out of business. Our ratios keep being lowered while our training, regulations and supply lists keep getting more and more expensive.

I hope you stick around the forum. You have more of an ability to make a difference than most providers with this issue. :hug:

Yea, please feel welcome to stick around!

I have found that it just isn't worth it to me to accept subsidy. The hoops they want me to jump through here are outrageous. And the pay is substandard! I have found I can lower my rates for private pay, and skip subsidy payments, because the low rate the pay, and the amount of money it would cost me to keep up to the demands of the system. I am sure I would loose money taking subsidy. I would be full and have a waiting list longer than I am tall if I did, because many providers in my area won't take it.

[MamaMightSnap]

I will definitely stick around. I really appreciate the open discussion here. Honest without being salty. Thank you all, I am armed with knowledge and will go forth into the director's office with confidence!

[Thriftylady]

I will definitely stick around. I really appreciate the open discussion here. Honest without being salty. Thank you all, I am armed with knowledge and will go forth into the director's office with confidence!

Well if what is being said here is true, it may not do any good. The director may be powerless over the situation. That would make me sad. Is it a corporate center? Some of those big corporate centers don't give the directors much power either.