The Caregivers of the World: The Daycare Provider

My friend Jenny Milchman    made a good point in a comment on my blog from Friday, that all people that care for others should be honored.  So I was thinking of some of those caregivers that I've really appreciated through life and thought I would mention them this week.  




Today I'm going to talk about daycare providers.  I know first hand, having been one myself, how difficult their jobs are and I think much of the time, they're taken for granted.


First of all, I think many people view them, strictly as a baby sitter and that you are their boss.  Nope. Not true.  I was the boss.  I chose whose children I took in.  It's a business, and I don't think people really think about everything involved.


First off, I had a set of rules for all parents and children.  It was about a 20 page handbook I expected all my parents to read and follow.  It showed them what they could expect of me and what I should expect of them to ensure high quality care of their child, it included what we did during the day, what they'd eat, what rules I expected followed, what happened when those rules were broken, and basically how we could get along.  And I knew some parents never bothered to read it, as rules were broken, and then they would get bent out of shape when we needed to have a "talk". (and I'm talking about the parents breaking the rules, not the kids)


Yes, you paid me...a lot...but I assume you want your child well cared for.  This is why I had employees, and had to pay wages for these employees, and taxes on these employees.  I had to follow a food program through the state, so I spent lots of money on healthy food for your children that was all inclusive in your daily fee.  I made sure your child was entertained with educational toys (which happen to be more expensive than the non variety), I formulated a curriculum so I was not just "baby sitting" I was educating, which was VERY important to me.


I worked fifty five hours a week caring for your kids, but also another few hours planning the daily curriculum, breakfast and lunch menus, filling out and turning in paper work to the city and state governments and food program.


And when you paid me late, it was really a nuisance because I had to schedule a time to leave and go to the bank, and when you did that, I had to go again.  It's hard to get away with nine kids in my care and two employees.


So, here is what I'm saying.  It's hard to find good quality care, but if you are lucky enough to do so, treat them well.  Don't take advantage of them or take them for granted.  Occasionally tell them they are doing a good job.  Don't forget them at Christmas and their birthdays.  Appreciate that they are the ones caring for your children when you can't, because you know what?  We're with your children more waking hours than you, and while you can't help this, know that we love them and care about their well being, and do whatever it takes to make sure they are happy and safe.


Ciao,


Megan

Top Four Worst Jobs I've Ever Had: # 4 Daycare

There are so many things about doing daycare that I loved, and so many that I hated. It is, in my opinion, a noble profession. To take in other peoples children, nurture them, teach them, love them, it takes much patience and hard work. It is the second hardest job out there, right behind parenting.

My daycare was extremely lucrative, well kind of. It made a lot of money, but I also put a lot of money back into it. I hired employees that, in theory I didn't need. In Washington, one person can legally take care of up to six kids, only two being under the age of two. I didn't think a six to one ratio offered very good odds as far as good quality care goes. Plus, kids have their quirks, their tantrums, their other issues, I wanted to be able to take a break when I needed it. So, I hired employees. I paid myself about $1000 a month, and put the rest back into the business.

It's hard work. I only took children under the age of five. I offered an educational program, nutritious meals, and educational toys. You're constantly changing diapers, solving fights, drying tears.

And then there's the parents. They sometimes are harder to deal with than the children. They want special food, special privileges, special rights, but when you're dealing with children, and before I closed, I had ten children in my care, you have to be consistent, you had to be fair. Everyone needed to be treated the same. I had been scolded, undermined, and pissed off in general by some of my daycare parents.

I had some that didn't pay, some that didn't show when they said they would, taking money out of my pocket. I had to deal with restraining orders, and CPS. It could get very stressful.

I closed the daycare for personal reasons, not relating to the business. some of the parents (especially the difficult ones) begged me to reopen or to nanny for them after. It is so hard to find good quality care out there, to find people who genuinely love your children. And I did. I loved every child that walked through my doors (even if they drove me nuts sometimes), and cried and felt a sense of loss when I closed those doors.

When asked to daycare or nanny again, the answer was always, I don't think so. The work is too hard, you get too emotionally involved. And many don't respect the profession.

So, that's my #4 worse job, owning a daycare. Thanks for reading.

Kisses
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Megan