Field trip blues

[Rhonda]

Rather than bore you with the details of why I no longer want to do field trips, the main concern is that I don't want to do field trips anymore. I'm willing to do the occasional field trip or maybe once a month, nothing like the 1 - 3 field trips per week that I used to do. The concern is that my daycare families seem to really want field trips, they have been complaining for 5 months about the lack of field trips.

I don't go on field trips with my daycare if:
1) I have more than 1 non-walker
2) a child under 22 lbs
3) don't have an assistant or another caregiver meeting us
4) a child who runs or misbehaves when we are out

Right now, I have a child that is under 22lbs and no assistant. My families were pre-warned Oct last year that there would be no field trips this past summer, or if I did find an assistant that the cost would increase to cover the cost of the assistants.

Despite that my families had the 8 - 9 month warning in the calendar, numerous blogs, and I spoke to each family at least once, I am still being bugged about field trips. I'm thinking it might be time to do something a little more formal but hopefully not rock the boat.

I'm thinking about doing a formal field trip policy. A friend has suggested that I just keep reminding parents that I am not able to travel without a huge headache and just not let it bother me.

Thanks Rhonda aka : exhausted caregiver with a huge headache

[Rhonda]

Oh, I should add that field trips are also getting to expensive. My field trips fees need to cover the admission of everyone that includes myself and my assistant, the cost of the children, and gas. Plus if we eat at location, the extra costs of eating out. By the time I figure out the actual fees, I then feel bad for all the charges and sometimes just help the parents, some field trips I was contributing $30 plus gas.

[Fun&care]

I don't know how some of you do it with the field trips. I for one am not a fan of them at all. Just way too stressful, and sometimes given the ages of the children, unsafe. Most of my dc families are with me BECAUSE I don't do field trips... I think your daycare families are just going to have to " deal" with it. Yes I would do something a little more formal telling them that moving forward you are not doing/ reducing the amount of field trips for X reason.

[Crayola kiddies]

I do not leave my property. I tell parents at the Interview that if they are looking for a caregiver that travels this is not the daycare for them. I have never as of yet had anybody say "ok thanks for your time then" in fact all of the people I have interviewed in the last four years has said "I'm not Interested in my child traveling all over the place so that fine with me"
I would post a note saying "due to the Increase in gas prices as well as the current age of children enrolled and the absence of an assistant we will no longer be doing field trips"

[playfelt]

Kinda comes across as a group of lazy parents expecting you to do even the fun stuff with their kids. If they want their kids at cosmic adventure they can take them.

With the loss of JK kids the age mix for sure has gotten younger and it is no longer a case of letting a baby tag along with the bigger group - there are no bigger ones any more.

Also with the ELECT concept what about using that to persuade them that a change of focus is needed away from things you plan to things you facilitate so you will be setting up the play space for their learning and doing less outings as a result.

Also never absorb any of the costs - make them cough up the total amount of money.

What happens if you simply stop all outings and when they whine just tell them to take their kids there themselves on their own time and then leave it at that. Would they leave in a huff but come back the next day even if their nose is out of joint for awhile or would they actually leave and never come back?

I am clear right up front we do not do outings and parents choose me because of that and the others move on to someone else.

[Rhonda]

I know that my families have always enjoyed me doing the field trips with the children and I think that they have come to assume it was a regular part of programming and no longer a special part of programming based on ages and stages of the children in care.

YES, I do have families that seem to expect me to do it all! And yes, I have often wondered why parents didn't do more of the 'field trips' on their time. Another part that upsets me is I have parents that tell me their children are too young to do certain field trips because they couldn't handle their 1 (or 2) on the trip. Yet, these same families expect me to do the trip with 5 children.

I don't think my daycare families are going to let the field trip issue go. It's been 4 almost 5 months and they are still complaining that I don't have any booked. Although, my families shouldn't be with me just because I do field trips, I do think the lack of field trips would be an easy excuse for all families to go their separate ways. I have one family moving soon and my daycare will be an inconvenience for them but they have told me they will be staying; my one family could be going on mat leave soon, they have said they were going to be staying; my one family I'm never sure whether they are coming or going; and my other family the mommy is a stay at home mommy. I believe that if the families are as upset as they seem to be about the lack of field trips, yes, I could be out of all my kids very quickly. All my families are extremely close, which is natural when you have had the same families for so long. Thus the reason I'm trying not to rock the boat. I admit I could just be paranoid, because its hard to find children right now and I know the families have left for less.

I agree that I should no longer absorb the cost of field trips. I didn't realize that until I found myself really upset when I took my kids to the movies and the parents refused to pay for my admittance.

Playfelt you also know the other reason is I don't know where life is taking me and I just want to keep things status quo until I know what is happening. Each day retirement looks so much better but then the reality of bills kick in :(

[playfelt]

For sure let parents know that one of the reasons for cancelling field trips is due to costs and that costs include all costs including your admittance or those of a helper since you would not normally incur any of those expenses if you did not go.

[Skysue]

I don't do field trips due to the extra liability. No way am I driving with my daycare. However we venture out to 4 different parks, nature trails and the beach all within walking distance to my house. I am so blessed to be able to have this steps away from my doorstep.

[Momof4]

My field trips are 3-4 times a week, but they don't cost me anything except bus tickets sometimes, but I write off my bus tickets on my taxes as a daycare cost. We go to the nearest library one morning a week, then we have a splashpad and 4 different parks that we frequent to give us variety. Can you let your daycare families know that going to the park is considered a field trip? I don't take the children any place that costs me money and my clients are ok with that.

I don't take any chances with the children's safety so I have the youngest 2 children in my double stroller but the 3 walkers (age 2 & up) are in the backpacks with the ropes attached to my wrists. ($20 at Walmart and similar places, also a tax writeoff) Our roads are too busy so I would never consider just letting the children hold onto the stroller without being attached to me.

[sunnydays]

What about having the parents pay for some in-daycare programs like Kindermusik or something along that line? I have done a couple of these type of programs and parents appreciate me doing this, even though they each pay for their own child. You can do music programs, I have even been in contact with a yoga instructor who will come into the daycare...maybe there are other types of programs as well.

[Lou]

I do field trips as well (we went apple picking this morning!), and when my families signed on and I told them that I frequently travel with the kids (library, play groups, parks, children's museum, indoor playplaces, etc), they were very excited about it. I have never ever interviewed a family who wasn't ok with me taking the kids out of the house for our adventures :) That being said, if it was something you talked up to them at the beginning when they signed on, then yes, it's going to be something they expect as that's why they chose YOU over someone else. I agree with a pp when they said that if you plan on reducing/cutting field trips you are going to need to make a formal letter addressing it and why so they will drop it!

[Harmoni]

Uh oh...you spoiled the parents, without even trying! :yes: I will never understand why some parents don't want to take "their" kids places to explore?! I very rarely do field trips. I find they tend to get costly awfully fast and I'd rather keep my money in my pocket! When I do go somewhere special it is only when I have 2-3 kids...always my best behaved of course. I have come to the conclusion that the kids are just as happy with going to a different park, rather than sitting in the vehicle for 1/2 hour to go to a museum.

[JennJubie]

The only place I take the kids is to our local park. It's within five minutes walking distance, and if I have more than two non walkers we don't go. I tell families this right at the interview. I've never had a parent that was unhappy with this. I agree with making a formal letter, even get them to sign it.

[daycaremom9]

I have a parent interested in bringing her 3 1/2 yo daughter to my daycare but she doesn't want her daughter being taken out for field trips. The girl will be 4 soon and it's really hard to find children of this age group and I don't take out of schoolers, so it limits my income. I only do field trips when I have 3 children or less so we don't go out often but it is nice to get out once in a while. I just don't want to feel stuck. WWYD?

[Momof4]

I have a parent interested in bringing her 3 1/2 yo daughter to my daycare but she doesn't want her daughter being taken out for field trips. The girl will be 4 soon and it's really hard to find children of this age group and I don't take out of schoolers, so it limits my income. I only do field trips when I have 3 children or less so we don't go out often but it is nice to get out once in a while. I just don't want to feel stuck. WWYD?
Personally, I would tell the parents my weekly plans and let them know that is the way I run my daycare. If they don't like the way I run my daycare or trust me then they shouldn't bring their child to me.

I am one of the caregivers who takes the children out all the time and that is one of the things I mention in the pre-screening process. No use conducting an interview with someone who won't be a good match for my daycare.

[torontokids]

I have a parent interested in bringing her 3 1/2 yo daughter to my daycare but she doesn't want her daughter being taken out for field trips. The girl will be 4 soon and it's really hard to find children of this age group and I don't take out of schoolers, so it limits my income. I only do field trips when I have 3 children or less so we don't go out often but it is nice to get out once in a while. I just don't want to feel stuck. WWYD?

I would take her but with the conditions that this is how you run your daycare and explain that you understand their concerns. Since you don't go that often it sounds I would offer the option of them keeping her home on those days.

[Rhonda]

I must not have sent the message I was working on during quiet time, its on my computer, I'll send it out tomorrow.

Anyway, in my area it is no longer 'this is how I run my business and seeing if the child/family is a good fit', now it is very much a parent dictating how we are going to run our business. Many caregivers in my area have agreed to reduced rates, non paid holidays, etc and other demands from parents. Its definitely a parents market. I really understand the necessity of making changes to meet parents demands to maintain an income level in a highly competitive market where there seems to be 3 times more spaces than there are children.

This is part of the reason why I find daycare so stressful these days. I need the income and there are several other caregivers who are just waiting to get their hands on new families. It's been so depressing, just 3 years ago, a group of about 10 caregivers would all get together at the park with our crews. Now, there is only 5 caregivers who still have children, non of us are full, 2 of us with 4 and the rest with only 1 or 2.

I pre-screened my families too with regarding to the field trips. All my families were good with the field trips and were told that when I won't do field trips. I really feel that they have forgotten, which is normal. My newest family has been with me for over 2.5 years, even I don't remember what we covered in the interview, I just know it is part of my interview process :)

[playfelt]

What is the norm with the other caregivers in terms of outings and what do the parents consider outings? For some a trip to the park is an outing and for others it means a trip to a museum or music concert. I would lay it all out and include in the cost of trips the insurance on the van, gas etc with the idea if you weren't doing field trip you wouldn't need that coverage and do your best to convince families that economically it is just not viable for you or the parents as you can no longer absorb the cost - any of it.

Also first my sympathies go out to everyone involved in today's bus/train collision but because it happened so close to home for you I would be taking a firm stand and saying to parents enough is enough I can not take on the liability of having your child out and about. I could not live with myself if anything happened to them on my watch. Almost everyone who lives in Ontario has seen via rail go by on a level crossing and had to stop for a train or taken their charges on a city bus thinking it was the safest way to travel.

[Rhonda]

(this was my post I forgot to post yesterday)

Harmoni : You got it, I think you are right my parents are spoiled :) I pass most of the expense of field trips to my families. But yes, some months parents will owe $30 - 40 just for our programming and field trips costs. My families never complain. But then I have always felt bad and not charged for a field trip here or there or split some in half because it was so expensive. I've been trying to cut back on the things I supply for daycare, like I used to buy a big Costco box of diaper wipes about every other month to help my families, I stopped that last year. It made me realize how much my parents counted on me to supply it. Even now I ask for 1 package of diaper wipes every time they bring in diapers, do they no. Now that I am not helping out, I'm always running out and feel like I have to beg the families.

My daycare kids are just as happy going to a park as a field trip. I find the field trips are a waste of money and time with the younger group because all they want to do is get to the park of the trip where they can play and be a kid. They don't care for the museums or zoos.

sunnydays, part of my programming is also weekly yoga (but I use videos because yoga instructors are too expensive) and in the winter I have music instructor coming in every other week because outside time is reduced due to the cold. We also attend play group every week. I feel even with the reduced field trips, I have a decent program.

I am going to write up a formal field trip policy this evening. We did talk about field trips and I made it clear that I only go on field trips depending on ages and stages of the children. I do have a van and my daycare insurance covers field trips, BUT, I refuse to put an infant car seat in my van because I don't feel safe doing it (plus its a nuisance having to always borrow the car seat) and I will not go on a field trip with out an assistant, I don't feel it is safe.

I think daycare is always changing and because this group of families has been with me so long, they don't want the natural changes to occur, like my group is younger than it has been in a few years. Where new families wouldn't notice the difference.

[Rhonda]

Playfelt, the bus/train accident has devastated my area! If you didn't personally know someone who passed, you know someone who knew someone. In my family's case, one of the people killed, was a friends brother. We have heavy hearts today as we try to move forward.

You are right, I would NEVER be able to live with myself if I took the kids out on a field trip and anything happened to them.

[sunnydays]

Rhonda, so sorry for your friend's loss in the accident/ We all have heavy hearts I think due to this horrible tragedy :( I used to drive with my daycare kids and had the extra insurance, but still worried. I no longer drive as I don't have space with 5 dck's plus my daughter, but have decided not to resume driving trips even when my daughter starts school next year and I have space. One day a few months ago my husband and I were at an intersection with my van when the alternator went unexpectedly and we lost all power...we were part way through the intersection and traffic was coming. It was absolutely terrifying and we had to both jump out and push the van through. We were lucky we were not hit and I couldn't help thinking "what if I were alone with all the kids? How would I have pushed it alone? What if we had been hit?" etc. That was the moment I decided definitively that I will not resume driving trips with my daycare. In fact, I sold all my extra car seats and that was that. I am happy walking to the park with them. But I understand...in your case parents are used to it and now there is a change. Explain it to them from the safety angle...explain what you will be doing instead. Fingers crossed for you!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I miss field trips! During the summer we went often as I had low numbers. Now I can only go out if I have 3 or less because I only have 3 car seats. I pay for the field trips and have never asked a parent for money to cover the cost. They are all good with field trips but also understand that I can only go out with 3 or less. I wouldn't say any of my parents expect field trips but I know they like that I do them.

Rhonda, I would suggest a formal letter to the parents explaining your reasons for stopping field trips. I don't know if you do this already but if you don't maybe you could replace field trips with themed days......like pj day, colour day, superhero day, princess day,spa day, crazy hair day etc. Even once a month, I'm sure the kids would love it!