How much do you pay for in-home care for an infant?

[Anonymous]

I have a parent with 3 kids, 6 months, 3 years, 6 years...anyway parent works and goes to school about 20 hours per week total, yet the kids are here a minimum of 50 hours per week. When she does work days she needs me to open 1/2 hour early so that she can get to work on time; which I do, free of charge. Yesterday she walks in 10 minutes late for pick up and for the 2nd time in 2 weeks tells me she is late because she was napping and hit the snooze button one too many times. She laughs and on the way out says, "oh, I'm early tomorrow."

So when I talk about people leaving their kids in dacyare excessive amoutns of time, these are the parents I'm talking about, not someone who takes an afternoon here and there to run errands. And for those who wonder why it is my business what she does..well, because her 4 year old still bites, the 6 year old has an eating disorder, and both kids look sad as hell when they tell me that their Mom is at home.

Why do you still allow this woman to bring her children to you??!? I doubt it's because you *love love LOVE* her kid that bites and her kid that has an eating disorder. Maybe the real reason is you *love love LOVE* the income that 3 children brings you?

[Anonymous]

providers: let me redirect you to this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/83661.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to all of you who don't want to hear it, but 50 hours per week is way, way too long for an infant to be in care...

Yet another person who does not read. None of the parents responding to this thread do this, so who the F are you talking to?

LOL! Clearly you can read, but do you understand context?

But my bigger question is this...nowhere in the post that you quoted was anyone called a name or insulted, so why are being so defensive and hostile?

It is pretty general for infants to be in daycare 9 - 10 hours per day. How about providers? You got infant left from 7 to 5 or longer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have a parent with 3 kids, 6 months, 3 years, 6 years...anyway parent works and goes to school about 20 hours per week total, yet the kids are here a minimum of 50 hours per week. When she does work days she needs me to open 1/2 hour early so that she can get to work on time; which I do, free of charge. Yesterday she walks in 10 minutes late for pick up and for the 2nd time in 2 weeks tells me she is late because she was napping and hit the snooze button one too many times. She laughs and on the way out says, "oh, I'm early tomorrow."

So when I talk about people leaving their kids in dacyare excessive amoutns of time, these are the parents I'm talking about, not someone who takes an afternoon here and there to run errands. And for those who wonder why it is my business what she does..well, because her 4 year old still bites, the 6 year old has an eating disorder, and both kids look sad as hell when they tell me that their Mom is at home.

Why do you still allow this woman to bring her children to you??!? I doubt it's because you *love love LOVE* her kid that bites and her kid that has an eating disorder. Maybe the real reason is you *love love LOVE* the income that 3 children brings you?

Actually, the money isn't it. I give her a rather large discount and I do not charge her for holidays. I charge $140 week for 1 child, but I charge her $345 for 3-- I would be financially better off if I droped them. I have a waiting list and a very good program so filling their spots isn't an issue either. I have had this family for 5 years and I care alot about the kids. Just my personal opinion, but I believe that continuity of care is very important, especially in the early years. Also, I have a degree in psychology with an emphasis on child development so I feel that I am very capable of dealing with some of the challenges that come along with these kids. Mostly, I guess I just feel sorry for them.

Nice assumption on your part though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Clearly you can read, but do you understand context? But my bigger question is this...nowhere in the post that you quoted was anyone called a name or insulted, so why are being so defensive and hostile?

Right back at you: do you understand context? That is part of being able to read and comprehend what you read. Have you read this entire thread. If you had, you would understand how many insults have been hurled at parents in multiple posts, and you would not be surprised by the insertion of the "F".

My point is that a *provider* threw out this tidbit about kids being in daycare 50 hours a week while a parent works 20 hours a week...not a parent. All the parents reading this thread don't do that kind of thing, which we have all made abundantly clear; therefore, I do not understand why yet another provider comes on this thread and starts berating the parents who are contributing to this thread about it.

[Anonymous]

Dear parents: don't bother writing anything more to the DCPs who are reading this thread. The ones responding on this thread are not the DCPs we know and love for their caring ways and good sense. With a very few exceptions, the ones on this thread do not listen to reason. No matter what you say, they will ignore it and go raving about how "all parents" are horrible. Which is funny, because many of them are parents.

HAHA the funny thing is, I have not met a Provider yet, who doesn't share these views. I'd be willing to bet your Provider does too.

[Anonymous]

Excuse me Mr or Mrs 10:38 (not sure which since you wouldnt use your name) I Christie used my name and not once mentioned I am a Daycare provider.. not once did I say who I felt for more or who I thought was wrong.. I did mention that I was proud of Judy for using her name which maybe made you think that im a daycare provider however I am not and I would like to point out how upset you are by what the daycare providers are saying about parents and that they are assuming they all are bad.. however have you not done the same thing! Are you not just painting myself and all of the other ladies who have ahd enough balls to put there name out there and assumed we are all BAD Daycare providers, maybe the rest of them are (however I am thinking that really this post has just brought out the bad side in everyone ) however I myself NEVER said I was a daycare provider and would like you to go back and read what I wrote before you bad mouth me on here.
That being said I would be proud to be a Daycare provider and would love to stay home with my child and look after other peoples children if I had the patience or room for something like that. Although I do not agree with everything that has been said on here or the way they are expressing themselves I will say that you are RUDE and before getting your panties/briefs in a wad I would ask you to make sure YOU read everything and not look like an IDIOT for not knowing which side people are actually on.
Anyway I Christie am not a Daycare provider however I do think you Mr or Mrs 10:38 need to just STOP!
Christie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Again, most of the parents with my MIL are great. Others, well, my MIL has a waiting list and if things aren't working out with you, there are always people willing to take your spot.

Anonymous wrote:I think what you fail to realize about why the parents on this thread are upset - the providers are lumping us all into the same category - and you just did the same thing! We don't ALL do this! Why are you continuing to assume we are all like this?

It's idiots like this that have thrown this thread out of whack. I didn't bother to count the number of times the first quoted poster said most of the parents are great but some are not. But the only thing the moron who posted the second quote got out of it was that "all" parents were being lumped together. Your probably part of that 10% that causes 90% of the problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow.
So those of us who devote 60+ hours/week to the care of children don't deserve a week or 2 of vacation?
yeah, I could not charge for my holidays and vacation time, but my daily rate would reflect that change. EVERY time I've given parents the option to switch to paying by the day and have factored in the paid vacation, sick time, holidays etc into the daily rate, they've opted for my normal weekly rate. EVERY time.
When you pay say the cable bill, do you argue about not paying for Monday thru Friday from 7 am -6 pm because you don't use it? no. Do you refuse to pay your taxes because you don't have a child in the public schools? no.
Someone running a daycare is not the same as every other "service provider" out there. Do those of you who think they are equal think your daycare provider is no more important than a mechanic or a "maid"??
By the way, as I post this all 8 of my daycare kids are sleeping. My assistant is sitting on the couch next to me, and the kids craft project for the afternoon is ready for them to enjoy when they awake....

Amen. I completely agree. Thank you to all you childcare providers for the important work, albeit underappreciated, work that you do.

--Mom to a 1.5 year old who is thriving in a loving in-home daycare run by two providers who I greatly appreciate, admire, and respect. And yes, I happily pay for their well-earned two weeks vacation.

[Anonymous]

To the poster that originally asked the question about paying for two weeks when her at-home provider was on vacation: you are welcome and congratulations on your baby, it just gets better and better (and you eventually get more sleep).

Just a couple of things I have NOT seen on this board:

1) a post by a parent that thinks his/her daycare provider does not deserve a vacation.

2) a post by a parent that thinks that a daycare providers do not do important work.

3) a post by a parent that thinks that daycare providers should be underpaid or not paid on time.

Really, none of the parents that have posted her feel that way.

Additionally, the term service provider refers to the type of work that is done. There are goods and there are services. Daycare providers are not building cars or other "goods", they are providing a "service" that is work you do for someone. Lawyers are service providers too, there is nothing pejorative about the term. It also refers to how you sell it. You are not an "employee" of the families for whom you provide care, if you were, they would be responsible for taking out employment taxes and most people would describe that "job" as a nanny. Anyone who employs a nanny likely agrees to provide paid vacation. You contract with the families you do work for and you are free to make almost any contract as to when and how much you are paid that both sides will agree on.

The origin of this long drawn out "discussion" was a question from a new mom that did not understand the billing practices of in home providers. I am not in any way saying these billing practices are wrong, but the norm is apparently different from most other "services" (for lack of a better term) that people buy. Therefore, the fact that she had a question was not intended (and I did not read it as) an insult to daycare providers that bill in this way, it was an inquiry to understand the practice.

This would have been a very short discussion if she would have received a straightforward answer to her actual question. I suppose she did not in part because the type of people that think like economists probably make pretty lousy daycare providers (that was a joke, I am not intending to insult economists or daycare providers with it).

That did not happen, and we can all read what did.

For the record, I do not use in home care. I do use center care and when my older daughter outgrew the center, it was a very big adjustment to us all for her to move somewhere new. The teachers and directors are really part of our "village" that is helping to raise our girls and I hope they feel appreciated, I do my best to ensure that they do. It sounds as if many other parents on this board are very happy with their daycare providers as well. I think that is wonderful news.

I wish everyone peaceful, happy and healthy holidays.

[Anonymous]

Top 10 Things Child Care Providers Want YOU To Know:

http://childcare.about.com/od/theroleoftheprovider/tp/providerstell.htm


Enjoy!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do those of you who think they are equal think your daycare provider is no more important than a mechanic or a "maid"??

Yes. Just like I think I am myself am no more important than a mechanic or a maid. I certainly cannot fix my own car, and I am grateful to every maid who has ever cleaned up a space I was working in or hotel I was staying in, etc. I try to show respect to all people I encounter.

You daycare providers are so defensive, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. You are snobs.

[Anonymous]

22:24: I love you! You have eloquently summarized what all of the parents responding to this post have been trying to convey. thank you and happy holidays to everyone, even the meanies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Top 10 Things Child Care Providers Want YOU To Know:

http://childcare.about.com/od/theroleoftheprovider/tp/providerstell.htm

Enjoy!!

Duh! We all know all of those things already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Top 10 Things Child Care Providers Want YOU To Know:

http://childcare.about.com/od/theroleoftheprovider/tp/providerstell.htm

Enjoy!!

Duh! We all know all of those things already.

Someone just browsing the forum may not. As this thread has a lot of responses it will also gain the interest of anyone just browsing. So it's useful information posted where it will likely be found.

No need to revert to childish responses, bringing the whole thread back around to another go 'round.