How to fight this new anti-childcare winter weather approach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP does not comprehend that workers at childcare centers exist and go home at night.

This is a dumb, lazy response to a legitimate concern. There's zero reason why childcare workers and their employers can't be allowed to make their own decisions about whether they're able to open like all other businesses.

All other businesses let the employees make the decision whether to open or close?

I think that a two hour delay for childcare would have made sense today, since there was nothing on the ground to clear. When there is snow to clear, my guess is that MCPS needs to clear high school parking lots first before moving equipment to elementary schools. They can't open a building until that happens. So, I can imagine days when it's safe to open high schools at 9:40, but not safe to open early care at 10:00, because elementary lots aren't clear.

I don't think either MCPS or the childcare programs are motivated by the wellbeing of their employees when they make the call.

In the past they have always allowed child care providers to operate normally when admin offices are open. They did this without incident. This isn't complicated. This is an intentional choice MCPS is making and they aren't explaining why, in fact there was a ton of confusion this morning. They clearly have a new policy, aren't explaining it or even staying it ahead of time before providers have to scramble to figure out wtf is going on.

Right- especially since the emails indicated yesterday that childcares would be able to open at their discretion. Prohibiting them to open on a day like today sends a clear message that childcares will not be able top open at all when schools are closed or delayed, no matter what the status of admin offices are. It's a clear departure from precedent and MCPS needs to be upfront about it and explain why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP does not comprehend that workers at childcare centers exist and go home at night.

That's a decision for their employers to make, not for MCPS to force upon private child care providers. In the past, some opened and some did not, based on local conditions and staffing capacity. It is ridiculous and offensive for MCPS to force this in a top down manner.

They aren’t “private childcare providers.” They operate under the auspices of the school district. You’re welcome to pay more and arrange daily transportation for your kid to ACTUAL private childcare providers offsite if you want different weather policies. 🤷‍♀️

Stop lying. They are private providers who rent space from MCPS.

Mmkay. And MCPS does not have to let them use their space when they’ve deemed it unsafe to do so.

Tantrum harder.

They haven't deemed it unsafe. It's raining.

Is wasnt raining at 4:45 AM when they had to make the call. I love how everyone expects them to be able to predict the future but you are too irresponsible to predict how to handle your kids in this situation

It was warm enough at that time that it should have been clear to anyone with a basic understanding of science that we weren't going to have ice.

CO does not have that basic knowledge unfortunately. Hence lots of decisions out of "an abundance of caution."

I'm pretty sure my 6 year old understands freezing points better than Taylor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP does not comprehend that workers at childcare centers exist and go home at night.

This is a dumb, lazy response to a legitimate concern. There's zero reason why childcare workers and their employers can't be allowed to make their own decisions about whether they're able to open like all other businesses.

All other businesses let the employees make the decision whether to open or close?

I think that a two hour delay for childcare would have made sense today, since there was nothing on the ground to clear. When there is snow to clear, my guess is that MCPS needs to clear high school parking lots first before moving equipment to elementary schools. They can't open a building until that happens. So, I can imagine days when it's safe to open high schools at 9:40, but not safe to open early care at 10:00, because elementary lots aren't clear.

I don't think either MCPS or the childcare programs are motivated by the wellbeing of their employees when they make the call.

In the past they have always allowed child care providers to operate normally when admin offices are open. They did this without incident. This isn't complicated. This is an intentional choice MCPS is making and they aren't explaining why, in fact there was a ton of confusion this morning. They clearly have a new policy, aren't explaining it or even staying it ahead of time before providers have to scramble to figure out wtf is going on.

Right- especially since the emails indicated yesterday that childcares would be able to open at their discretion. Prohibiting them to open on a day like today sends a clear message that childcares will not be able top open at all when schools are closed or delayed, no matter what the status of admin offices are. It's a clear departure from precedent and MCPS needs to be upfront about it and explain why.

Yep, literally just basic respect for businesses to articulate and explain a new policy ahead of time. Even their message this morning was confusing suggesting child care providers could open 2 hours late (8:30 at our school) but then it turned out they were not permitted to operate beforecare at all. So disorganized and disrespectful to the private businesses that operate these programs and the workers and employers that rely on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think a lot of the reason these conversations are so bad on DCUM now is the pandemic. There's a group of users who got so invested in yelling at parents who want their kids to go to school that they revisit that feeling whenever they can.

What kind of sickness motivates this? Is it SAHPs if school-aged kids who need to justify their decision?

If you’re going back in time to the mommy wars pitting parents against each other:

It’s the angry WAHPs who can’t contingency plan who are the problem.

See how that works?

Oh so it’s hatred of parents who can’t afford a nanny or one of the so plentiful private child care companies, or don’t have a very generous neighbor or grandparent?

No, it’s working together to find a solution that helps parents, not fighting amongst ourselves.

But you fired the first shot. You want to alienate other parents? Go right ahead. Just makes your life harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, it’s just people venting their anger which accomplishes nothing. But they feel better. Briefly. Rinse and repeat.

And what are you doing here?

Can’t look away. It’s like a car wreck the way people fall apart so quickly and easily.

Isn't that kind of a sad way to spend your time - taking joy in other people venting about a genuinely frustrating situation?

This is the internet, dear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So who do we email? Board of Ed? COO Mamoon? Taylor? Andrea Swiatocha?

Is this the right list of people to email?

DP

I think this starts with organizing and advocacy. MCCPTA needs to work with providers to write a joint letter explaining that child care is important and should not be closed on a whim.

Good call, maybe alongside MCEA and SEIU whose staff are also hurt by these policies?

But then I do think that tons of individual parents emailing on this is helpful as well, even though the big orgs organizing will likely have the bigger impact. I like the idea of e-mailing Mink, Jawando, and Albornoz (County Council education committee) as well as our own individual councilperson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, it’s just people venting their anger which accomplishes nothing. But they feel better. Briefly. Rinse and repeat.

And what are you doing here?

Can’t look away. It’s like a car wreck the way people fall apart so quickly and easily.

Isn't that kind of a sad way to spend your time - taking joy in other people venting about a genuinely frustrating situation?

This is the internet, dear.

I see. It's okay for you to engage in pathetic and mean spirited schadenfreude but people venting is not okay? Get a hobby, jfc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, it’s just people venting their anger which accomplishes nothing. But they feel better. Briefly. Rinse and repeat.

And what are you doing here?

Can’t look away. It’s like a car wreck the way people fall apart so quickly and easily.

Isn't that kind of a sad way to spend your time - taking joy in other people venting about a genuinely frustrating situation?

This is the internet, dear.

I see. It's okay for you to engage in pathetic and mean spirited schadenfreude but people venting is not okay? Get a hobby, jfc

Well, yeah. Same as all the people here calling names and doing nothing else. We’re all just killing time till school opens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's on MCPS property and MCPS made a call that it is not safe to be on its property or that it isn't going to be ready to open until later, then it's MCPS's call. If there were an accident, you'd certainly want to hold MCPS responsible. So, the flip side is that MCPS has to make these types of decisions. Honestly, I will never get why people who are so reliant on childcare use the childcare at the schools knowing that the school system controls when they open and close when there are other options that are more reliable in bad weather.

The issue is elementary schools that are now not opening until after 11am. Secondary schools have start times as early as 7:45, and 9:45 when there is a delay. If it is safe for middle and high schools to open at that time, elementary school before care programs should also have the option to open if they have the staffing to support student care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think a lot of the reason these conversations are so bad on DCUM now is the pandemic. There's a group of users who got so invested in yelling at parents who want their kids to go to school that they revisit that feeling whenever they can.

What kind of sickness motivates this? Is it SAHPs if school-aged kids who need to justify their decision?

If you’re going back in time to the mommy wars pitting parents against each other:

It’s the angry WAHPs who can’t contingency plan who are the problem.

See how that works?

Oh so it’s hatred of parents who can’t afford a nanny or one of the so plentiful private child care companies, or don’t have a very generous neighbor or grandparent?

No, it’s working together to find a solution that helps parents, not fighting amongst ourselves.

But you fired the first shot. You want to alienate other parents? Go right ahead. Just makes your life harder.

I think you two are on the same side. You both seem to be criticizing the SAHPs that are often quick yell at parents who understandably think schools and child care providers should generally be open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So who do we email? Board of Ed? COO Mamoon? Taylor? Andrea Swiatocha?

Is this the right list of people to email?

DP

I think this starts with organizing and advocacy. MCCPTA needs to work with providers to write a joint letter explaining that child care is important and should not be closed on a whim.

Good call, maybe alongside MCEA and SEIU whose staff are also hurt by these policies?

But then I do think that tons of individual parents emailing on this is helpful as well, even though the big orgs organizing will likely have the bigger impact. I like the idea of e-mailing Mink, Jawando, and Albornoz (County Council education committee) as well as our own individual councilperson.

During the pandemic Friedson was helpful to the folks advocating for child care

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's on MCPS property and MCPS made a call that it is not safe to be on its property or that it isn't going to be ready to open until later, then it's MCPS's call. If there were an accident, you'd certainly want to hold MCPS responsible. So, the flip side is that MCPS has to make these types of decisions. Honestly, I will never get why people who are so reliant on childcare use the childcare at the schools knowing that the school system controls when they open and close when there are other options that are more reliable in bad weather.

The issue is elementary schools that are now not opening until after 11am. Secondary schools have start times as early as 7:45, and 9:45 when there is a delay. If it is safe for middle and high schools to open at that time, elementary school before care programs should also have the option to open if they have the staffing to support student care.

Exactly! There's no rational explanation for this why high schools are opening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So who do we email? Board of Ed? COO Mamoon? Taylor? Andrea Swiatocha?

Is this the right list of people to email?

DP

I think this starts with organizing and advocacy. MCCPTA needs to work with providers to write a joint letter explaining that child care is important and should not be closed on a whim.

Good call, maybe alongside MCEA and SEIU whose staff are also hurt by these policies?

But then I do think that tons of individual parents emailing on this is helpful as well, even though the big orgs organizing will likely have the bigger impact. I like the idea of e-mailing Mink, Jawando, and Albornoz (County Council education committee) as well as our own individual councilperson.

During the pandemic Friedson was helpful to the folks advocating for child care

He responded to them, but ultimately did nothing. I
interacted with him a lot on this topic back then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you miss … Covid? The schools do not care about parents.

Dear Oblivious, teachers are parents too.

People should stop having kids if they cannot care for them. And yes, having multiple backups for childcare is the responsibility of parents and responsible employers. MCPS is a responsible employer.

Also, teachers are not babysitters and school is not daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think a lot of the reason these conversations are so bad on DCUM now is the pandemic. There's a group of users who got so invested in yelling at parents who want their kids to go to school that they revisit that feeling whenever they can.

What kind of sickness motivates this? Is it SAHPs if school-aged kids who need to justify their decision?

If you’re going back in time to the mommy wars pitting parents against each other:

It’s the angry WAHPs who can’t contingency plan who are the problem.

See how that works?

Oh so it’s hatred of parents who can’t afford a nanny or one of the so plentiful private child care companies, or don’t have a very generous neighbor or grandparent?

No, it’s working together to find a solution that helps parents, not fighting amongst ourselves.

But you fired the first shot. You want to alienate other parents? Go right ahead. Just makes your life harder.

I think you two are on the same side. You both seem to be criticizing the SAHPs that are often quick yell at parents who understandably think schools and child care providers should generally be open.

Yes, it's the "school isn't childcare!" people who think you don't care about your kids unless you take an 18-year break from your career for them. SAHPs who acknowledge that what works for them might not work for every family are totally cool.