DC co-op duty

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to take a page - literally - from the program's playbook ... maybe espouse the level of tolerance for non-parents that DCPR is able to muster. Here is what it says on page 7:

"Nanny/Duty Parent Policy
In an effort to make Co-op available to all families, regardless of the employment status of the parents, the District policy is to allow nannies, or other primary caregivers (such as grandparents) to perform Co-op parent duties."

http://dpr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpr/publication/attachments/2013-2014%20Cooperative%20Play%20Program%20Parent%20and%20Child%20Manual.pdf

They need your money, genius. They'll say what they have to in order to get it. Doesn't mean what you're doing is right.

So does the nanny. No money - no job!

[Anonymous]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

What if the nanny's regular work hours were reduced by not making her come in the mornings when the child is in co-op but scheduled her to work the during the parent's duty day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

I don't think its unfair to the nanny. I think its unfair to your kid, who sees everyone else's parents making time, and its unfair to the other parents who joined a co-op for the money saving but also the community and actually put in effort to build that community. Parents like you, who see it as nothing more than cheaper preschool water it down. The school won't say no to you because they want your money, but it isn't in the spirit of the program, and you ARE a half ass parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

I don't think its unfair to the nanny. I think its unfair to your kid, who sees everyone else's parents making time, and its unfair to the other parents who joined a co-op for the money saving but also the community and actually put in effort to build that community. Parents like you, who see it as nothing more than cheaper preschool water it down. The school won't say no to you because they want your money, but it isn't in the spirit of the program, and you ARE a half ass parent.

And if I, as a nanny, wanted to expand my credentials, I'd go work at a co-op, and I have. They pay their teachers next to nothing in order to keep tuition prices low, and you are working the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

I don't think its unfair to the nanny. I think its unfair to your kid, who sees everyone else's parents making time, and its unfair to the other parents who joined a co-op for the money saving but also the community and actually put in effort to build that community. Parents like you, who see it as nothing more than cheaper preschool water it down. The school won't say no to you because they want your money, but it isn't in the spirit of the program, and you ARE a half ass parent.

No, actually you are a half assed lazy caretaker. If you will not help at the house, take kids to activities or help with a nursery school program, basically there is no need for you. The kids at the co-op actually did better without the parents there, and one who had the parent/nanny rotate did much better with nanny. I preferred the nanny to the parent as I knew the nanny looked after the kids vs. the parent didn't believe it was "her" job to do things, just play with her kid. It is a cheaper options, some good, some not so good which is why we pulled our kid for a real program. The teacher and parents were horrible and borderline neglectful. If you are with the child during those hours, it is absolutely your job to take them to school and do the responsibilities as assigned. As a parent, I can either be at work and get paid or be a SAHM. I cannot take off every 1-2 weeks to volunteer at my child's school due to the nature of my job. Its great when parents have flexibility, but I do not. Its a fight with my boss to even stay home when I, my child or our nanny is sick (or all of us) or going to the doctor. If you had kids, could you just easily leave your job for 6 hours every 1-2 hours a week to work at the school? Could you afford a nanny, car, extra nanny expenses (activities, lunch 1-2 days a week out when doing activities) and a $1200-1600 preschool payment monthly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

I don't think its unfair to the nanny. I think its unfair to your kid, who sees everyone else's parents making time, and its unfair to the other parents who joined a co-op for the money saving but also the community and actually put in effort to build that community. Parents like you, who see it as nothing more than cheaper preschool water it down. The school won't say no to you because they want your money, but it isn't in the spirit of the program, and you ARE a half ass parent.

No, actually you are a half assed lazy caretaker. If you will not help at the house, take kids to activities or help with a nursery school program, basically there is no need for you. The kids at the co-op actually did better without the parents there, and one who had the parent/nanny rotate did much better with nanny. I preferred the nanny to the parent as I knew the nanny looked after the kids vs. the parent didn't believe it was "her" job to do things, just play with her kid. It is a cheaper options, some good, some not so good which is why we pulled our kid for a real program. The teacher and parents were horrible and borderline neglectful. If you are with the child during those hours, it is absolutely your job to take them to school and do the responsibilities as assigned. As a parent, I can either be at work and get paid or be a SAHM. I cannot take off every 1-2 weeks to volunteer at my child's school due to the nature of my job. Its great when parents have flexibility, but I do not. Its a fight with my boss to even stay home when I, my child or our nanny is sick (or all of us) or going to the doctor. If you had kids, could you just easily leave your job for 6 hours every 1-2 hours a week to work at the school? Could you afford a nanny, car, extra nanny expenses (activities, lunch 1-2 days a week out when doing activities) and a $1200-1600 preschool payment monthly?

I realize that at a certain point a nanny while a kid is in preschool isn't adding much value. I don't believe in bending over backwards to make a square peg fit a round hole. I take care of children. If your kid is in school half the day, you don't need me and I move on to take care of other kids. No I'm not going to clean your house, or do your job, to justify my position. That's stupid. As to the rest of your post, you are whining about a lot of things that were your choice. No I couldn't afford all of the things you list. And you know what? I wouldn't feel the need to try. Life is about choices. You chose to have kids, you chose to work, you chose your demanding job and boss, you chose to hire a nanny, and you chose to enroll in a preschool with a volunteer requirement. All your choices. Sorry its expensive and you can't actually afford it all. Welcome to the club.

[Anonymous]

I'm a full-time working Mb who posted earlier that I would never have my nanny do co-op duty. The "but my job isn't flexible and preschool is so expensive" argument isn't eve relevant. If you can't co-op yourself because you're job isn't flexible, I totally get it - most jobs wouldn't be flexible enough. But the answer is then that you don't do a coop preschool. Nanny and regular preschool too expensive? Then find a different childcare option. You're not entitled to the premium child care situation simply by virtue of having a full-time job. Make some choices.

[Anonymous]

Choice made: child will do co-op with husband and with nanny alternating. If you don't like it, lobby DCPR to change the rules, or pick a private preschool program for your child. It's that simple.

[Anonymous]

I am a working mom who frequently takes an hour or so break to do "mommy and me" classes with my toddler. I do it for myself more than for my child. She is just as happy to go with the nanny. Young kids don't differentiate between mom and and a good, loving nanny in that context; whatever is presented as normal to them feels normal.

Significantly, I am usually the only mom in attendance among all the nannies and charges at "mommy and me" class. The kids attending with a nanny do just as well as my kid, and they attach no significance to the fact that Susie comes with Mommy but they come with Nanny. I suspect the same is true of the DC coop program, both in terms of the nanny to parent ratio (I bet there are at least as many nannies in attendance) and the effect on the kids.

Some of you nannies are just loonbags. When it suits your purpose, you are the be-all, end-all of child-rearing. When you feel like you're being asked to work a little harder than usual one day a week, suddenly the kids are being disadvantaged by your presence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong with a family making co-op duty part of the nannies job, provided that she agrees to it. And if she won't agree to it, there is nothing wrong with replacing her with a new nanny who is a better fit for the family's needs.

Co-op duty is not a big deal. You aren't actually running a classroom or assuming primary responsibility for 16 kids. It is simply a helper's role for a few hours under the direction of a professional teacher.

Most nannies of the caliber I'd be interested in having would look at co-op duty as a welcome chance to expand their credentials and potentially learn new group-management techniques.

I don't think its unfair to the nanny. I think its unfair to your kid, who sees everyone else's parents making time, and its unfair to the other parents who joined a co-op for the money saving but also the community and actually put in effort to build that community. Parents like you, who see it as nothing more than cheaper preschool water it down. The school won't say no to you because they want your money, but it isn't in the spirit of the program, and you ARE a half ass parent.

And if I, as a nanny, wanted to expand my credentials, I'd go work at a co-op, and I have. They pay their teachers next to nothing in order to keep tuition prices low, and you are working the system.

I would have no qualms about working the system--within the confines of the co-op rules and my own moral sensibility--to ensure the best situation for my child and my family. The nanny is getting to keep her regular schedule, get paid to attend co-op (probably at a higher rate than the head teacher), and broaden her credentials. Step outside your "someone is always trying to take advantage of me" box. This would be a win-win for most nannies and families.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to take a page - literally - from the program's playbook ... maybe espouse the level of tolerance for non-parents that DCPR is able to muster. Here is what it says on page 7:

"Nanny/Duty Parent Policy
In an effort to make Co-op available to all families, regardless of the employment status of the parents, the District policy is to allow nannies, or other primary caregivers (such as grandparents) to perform Co-op parent duties."

http://dpr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpr...ent%20and%20Child%20Manual.pdf

Yes. This makes perfect sense. I'm surprised this is even a thread. Of course the nanny should do the co op hours. What is the alternative? Paying a nanny to do nothing while the MB takes leave to cover something the nanny can easily do? Especially when the nanny is already being paid for the hours when the family doesn't have co op duty to do nothing? Makes no sense at all.

It sounds like the usual entitled DCUM nanny syndrome. IRL, I know plenty of families in co ops with nannies and other caretakers, and the caretakers participate in co op duty without being irrationally outraged by it.

[Anonymous]

Are the people who are against having the nanny go to co-op okay with the parents cutting the nanny's hours and pay during the time the child and parent are at the co-op? Somehow, I think not. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Anonymous]

Full time day care is cheaper than a co-op AND a full-time nanny so I don't understand why you think a parent who sends the nanny to the co-op is being cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the people who are against having the nanny go to co-op okay with the parents cutting the nanny's hours and pay during the time the child and parent are at the co-op? Somehow, I think not. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Good luck keeping a nanny while doing that. You can't have your cake and eat it too.