yup you are right ...but if they pass this I have no intention of going with an agency so I would just drop a kid....and I know exactly which one would get turfed......muahhhah ahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by torontokids
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yup you are right ...but if they pass this I have no intention of going with an agency so I would just drop a kid....and I know exactly which one would get turfed......muahhhah ahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by torontokids
Have they even thought of all the ramifications of these proposed changes. The increase in cost to parents (you can be dammed sure my rates will go sky high in order to allow only 3 spots. My own two girls are 3 and 4.5yrs old, so I guess I'd have to let go of 2 dck's.). So increased cost, more people going underground so to speak (no receipts/etc.), or leaving this business all together.
This is a cash grab. Plain and simple. If they wanted to have safer daycares, there are better ways which benefit the business owners, the consumers and the children. License private daycare providers, but allow them to maintain their independence (not working for an agency). Why is this so hard? Oh yes...money.
After reading that, I guess if it becomes law, I will become a "babysitter".Quote:
Originally Posted by Artsand crafts
I may have been misinformed about the 10$ per day but I did read in an article from I think the globe and mail that said agencies take up to 30% of your pay. I agree completely that they need to cough up some incentive programs and I mean ASAP, instead of working AGAINST us like we are the enemy or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2cuteboys
There is absolutely NO support out there for us, we have to find our own support when starting up and in the duration of running our daycares and now out of the blue we are being SLAMMED... for what...instead of being offered help and much needed support and guidelines.
You always hear everywhere that kids are the most important thing in the world and that their first six years are the most important but they sure don't give a crap about the people who care for them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Other Mummy
My thoughts exactly!!!!!!!
You and me as well jodaycare. No receipts and I can charge $15/per hour. Wow this will really benefit everybody (except the parents).Quote:
Originally Posted by jodaycare
Maybe it's a good time to write to our MPs and Queen's Park??? I'm going to construct a letter over the next couple days. Basically, I just want it known that I am in favour of regulations, but not like this. The regulations must be reasonable and feasible within the home daycare industry. Really, our industry IS different than the daycare industry. It has been my experience that this is why I'm chosen by my clients. They've all said it - they wanted them in a home, not an institution. Many like my specific style, curriculum, menu. Forcing us into agencies, pretty much removes every daycare's individuality. In addition, I think I'd like to ask my clients (past and current) to write in as well. Does anyone think this might be a good idea on a much larger scale???
Does anyone know for certain WHEN this is effective? Is it as of now?
Not a bad idea. Nannies charge here from $12 to $20 per hour depending on experience, credentials, age, etc. What I don't like is that you have to follow employers rules most of the time. I would try to increase fees for the kids left first and this could be another option while finding something else. I will be dropping 4 kids and potentially take care of a 12 mo in their house. How many kids like this will be out of daycare or parents having to pay higher fees.Quote:
Originally Posted by Other Mummy
We should unite and try to figure out a way to get that message out there. How is everyone about approaching their clients to construct a letter the way cfred suggested? cfred, would you be willing to share your thoughts about this letter as a group?
Does anyone favor the idea of a group get together. Grass Roots folks. Maybe do a group interview for my "favorite" daily. The Toronto Star. Get some quotes from our clients about how they feel about these proposed changes. Force them to look at the other side of the coin so to speak.
Sassygirl, it still needs to be approved, which I suspect it will be.
The only thing we risk is parents learning that we need to cut kids and they beat us to it and find care elsewhere. I want to pick which kids get the boot and unfortunately it would be one of my long time fantastic families and a part timer just because it would make the most sense.
When I worked for Wee Watch they charged parents $42 (for under 3yo) and they paid me $30.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fun&care
I'm assuming that this will take awhile to become law, and then take effect. They can't expect us to all suddenly be able to terminate families who have nowhere to go.... Hopefully, there will be a grandfather clause for children who are already in care. I hate the thought of suddenly having to ditch my families!
Yes. I looked into Wee Watch and Hopscotch. Both charged me about the same....for things I already have in place! They offered me insurance. When I indicated that I already had appropriate insurance, their retort was that I wasn't covered for sexual abuse charges. Ummmmm, excuse me??? Yes I am luv. Well, what about First Aid/CPR? Yep, got that too. Wait....training? Well, I figure my ECE diploma might cover that. Toys and equipment? Yeah, kinda got that covered in my first decade in the industry. All I needed was help getting clients when I first moved into a new area. Turned out I didn't need them and now am turning people away. Their fees are outrageous and not remotely justified! And anything I've heard about their service isn't great. I've interviewed people who said my daycare was far superior to anything they saw through either of those two agencies. They indicated that it was just someone's living room with a few toys. I'm trying to understand how this is better....aside from the inspections.Quote:
Originally Posted by Artsand crafts
Can you get licensed here without an agency? Is it even possible? I'd rather do that than go with them.
This is what is surprising to me, that they haven't think about the kids that will be left without daycare options (since 80% of kids are in unlicensed daycare). If every unlicensed provider joined an agency that will not solve the problem. There will still be shortage of spots for under 2 year old.Quote:
Originally Posted by treeholm
Wee watch does not even offer home daycare insurance anymore. The "equipment" they lend (limited amount of gates, playpens, highchairs) anybody could get at a fraction of the price at Kijiji.Quote:
Originally Posted by cfred
A client quit on me, because she needed to use back up care occasionally (for personal reasons on my side) when I worked for Wee Watch (they accommodate kids in other home daycare when a provider is not available). She told me she could not send her kid to those places, not even occasionally, because of the poor quality of care. So she ended up hiring a nanny.
My "training" was someone reviewing some parts of the manual they left with me. Nothing that is worth to be called "training" really
Inspections were just a lady asking what I did with the kids for the past month so she could fill out a form to be given to the parents. No safety inspections, the only safety inspection they did was pushing the button of the fire alarm almost every time they came.
Someone I just spoke to (works for the Red Cross now) used to do daycare through Wee Watch. She was telling me that the government gave her grants per month to go through an agency. This sounds strange to me- anyone else ever hear of this?
I can't see any information on how to become licensed... I would never go with an agency like Wee Watch.. I've heard too many horror stories. So, there would have to be an option to become privately licensed, right? I also have a swimming pool, which I believe would be a problem. AND, I will have two one-year olds, and two two-year olds next year, with an occasional one-year old grandson. I started this business to look after my grandchildren, whom I don't charge. I would have to get rid of my paying customers, since both my grand-babies are one and under. Oh well...
I can see that parents are going to go nuts! I have a Mom on mat leave sending her 18 month old a few days a week just to hold a spot for her newborn, who would start next August. Now, I would have to tell her neither one of her children can continue.... Ridiculous....
That's right. Government send you a check here and there, but it was peanuts that I don't even remember how much it was.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daisy123
We got those when I was head teacher in a daycare centre. It was called a wage enhancement cheque. And yes, it's peanuts.
Here's an idea- why don't we rally up and start our OWN agency???
CCPRN has been lobbying on our behalf and demanding to be included in the discussions and from what has been proposed I can see that they were at least listened to - we weren't outright banned which is what the agencies wanted. I know CCPRN will continue to lobby and sure they would welcome the voice of other caregivers across Ontario to present a unified front. Go to their website and send them an email saying you want your voice to be heard too and how can you help the cause. www.ccprn.comQuote:
Originally Posted by cfred
When I lived in Calgary I did daycare under a wonderful agency (Jan-Pat Satellite Family Day Homes). Not being any the wiser, when we were transferred to Ottawa I joined an agency here. Different as night and day and not for the better. I got out of it as soon as I could. There for sure is a better way to run an agency and you may be on to something. Something along the ideas of cooperative just might work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fun&care
Problem is the rules are still going to be the same. In essence we are being asked to follow the agency rules too so whether we do join an agency or not the rules will be the same. The being allowed 6 is a joke because of the full day JK and the schools taking over the over age 6 kids. I can't understand how current agency caregivers are going to manage as they are going to be harmed more than us given the fee to the agency per child issue.
yes, I can't see the advantage of joining an agency. I have 4 children under 2. Even with an agency, wouldn't I have to fire my clients? My own grandchildren, who do not pay, are under 2. One of them only comes a few times a week since his Mom is on mat leave, but I have a space for him, that he shares with my 4 year old granddaughter, who only has a space for PA days and summer vacation. Because he comes sometimes though, and my one year old is here every day, I would not be able to take my other 4 who are two and under. I never have more than 5 at one time, but I do often have all 5 under two... At what point do we have to let parents know they need to find alternate care? If I were to go with an agency, I still wouldn't be able to keep any of my paying customers, so I would have to close. I have no objection to being licensed, per se, I just can't see how we can make the ratios work since it is mostly kids under three needing care.
To be honest, I don't see how this could possibly go through. The age restrictions are a joke and there is no way they can do that to parents. I think if they REALLY want to give us an incentive to be licensed then drop the age restrictions for LICENSED daycares plus allow the 6 kids including your own. Just no age restrictions or lesser ones. And then this is where we start our own agencies!
There is absolutely no incentive in being licensed by just adding 1 child because most of us don't want school aged kids and in my area, I've had a hard time filling those spots because schools offer programs of their own already.
Obviously this "plan" was drawn up by people who don't know squat about childcare.
I agree that it really can't possibly go through... if you think with reason and logic...but we are talking about the government....
In any case, has anyone heard anything about a timeline? I would want to give my parents as much notice as I can if I need to terminate them, but I don't want to alarm them unnecessarily. They won't be able to find care very easily, and that worries me.
I'll definetevely get in touch with them... do you think CCPRN can make a difference before the bill is approved? What have they done to help with this?Quote:
Originally Posted by playfelt
Here I sit, with insomnia over this stuff. Even after a good rant to Awesome New Guy and a criminally large glass of red, I still can get this muck out of my head. Soooo, might as well make myself useful. I've found a few articles from about 6 hours ago. Maybe this is hopeful me at work here, but I'm not seeing anything about the 2 under 2 rule. Perhaps they just couldn't mention absolutely everything, but in 4 articles, I didn't see age restrictions mentioned. We would, by the sounds of it, be considered babysitters. I find that mildly demeaning, but when faced with losing my job, I'll take it! They seem to focus more on the fines, reporting process and giving more 'incentive' to join a licensed agency.
I will be writing an email to my local MPP. This has not been thought out properly and carefully. Where are all the daycare children going to go once this bill gets passed? Are they creating MORE licensed daycare centres. Hardly. So what are people going to do?
Instead of offering incentives, education and programs for daycare providers (which will benefit the parents, children and providers) they are essentially stripping the foundations that our clients relay on under the guise of "Better and safer childcare" .
I urge you all to write your local MPP. Do it NOW. Gripping about it will not fix anything. Get letters from your clients. We need to be a voice...not only for ourselves but for all our Daycare kids. I can't imagine the scrambling my daycare clients will be doing if this Bill goes through.
So how are you guys addressing parents concerns over these proposed changes? I had one family texting me about it at 8pm yesterday (which I will have to address separately)!
I am hoping to find out how soon these changes would be expected to take effect before I have to let parents know they need to find alternate care... I am worried that they will find out about it on the news first, and then I will have no choice but to tell them that if the legislation is approved, I will no longer be able to care for their children... I have a great relationship with my parents, and they chose me for very specific reasons like organic food and the fact that I am a grandma. They do not want to go to a daycare centre, nor are there spaces available anyway....
I just cant believe this ! It's stressing me out. Here I was planning my openings and options for 2014 and now ... after these possible age restrictions I may be forced to closed. I've been opened for only 2 years and the first year was rough financially ... I am still struggling to make up for that first year even with a full daycare now. There is no way I can afford only to care for 3 children and there is no incentive for me to go with the agency in my area. The pay is lesser and I have a pool so I am not even sure I would get a license with them ... Ok if I have to the pool will go but even if I would get licensed they take such a big cut for only one more child allowed it would not make much difference. And I am good darn it ! I am a kick ass daycare provider and I DONT want to DO anything else. I LOVE MY JOB AND MY KIDS !! Arg ! So frustrating and stressful !! Definitely will try to get my voice heard !!
I feel in my heart like I should start telling parents to be prepared and start looking for alternate care but that would be a financial disaster for me as I would obviously like to hold onto the income I have for as long as possible.
As for my parents, I told them that I am working on a solution that will hopefully work out for everyone but I still don't know where to go. I need to know when this will be in affect. They are very concerned as one was hoping to enroll her 2nd baby with me this summer and another family is expecting and are afraid to loose a their spot with me. I would love to just keep status quo until both my children are in school.
Yup, this is stressful for sure. I feel that ethically, I need to let my parents know they need to keep an eye on this issue, but knowing that I will close if it passes, they really need to find alternate care as soon as they can... which would not be good for me. But if they find out through the media and not through me, I'll look dishonest... sigh...
You are absolutely right, the rate they pay for licensed home daycare in my city is 30.00 per day. Most of the un-licensed daycare charge 35.00. I find the rate low in this neighborhood. There will be a lot of families without childcare. I would make more money in returning to work.
Well that's exactly it for me too Treeholm. I was planning on closing June 2014 anyway but was not going to tell my parents until 3 months before. I think I will start putting some money away now in case there is a month or two gap between my anticipated closing date and when I actually have to close.
I have decided that because my clients are wonderful people who trust me, and whom I hope to keep as friends, I am morally required to tell them to keep an eye on the legislation and do what is best for them. Sigh.... not looking forward to these conversations, but at least they won't be angry later that I didn't tell them as soon as I found out. If it doesn't pass, I'm sure they won't leave me, but they need to be prepared. I will wait the rest of this week to get more info on anticipated timelines, but on Monday, I will tell my families that if it passes in its current form, I will be closing.
Someone posted a copy of the actual act on facebook. Note this section looks like they have addressed the ratios just forgot to mention that part or at least that is all I can find in the act relating to ages and stages.
unlicensed child care, five children or less
2. The child care provided at the premises meets the following criteria:
services de garde non agréés : maximum de cinq enfants
2. Les services de garde fournis dans le local remplis-sent les critères suivants :
i. The child care is provided for no more than five children or, if a lesser number is pre-scribed by the regulations, no more than the prescribed number of children.
i. Les services de garde sont fournis pour au maximum cinq enfants ou le nombre inférieur prescrit par les règlements, le cas échéant.
ii. There is no agreement between a home child care agency and the child care provider that provides for the agency’s oversight of the provision of care.
ii. Le fournisseur de services de garde n’a pas conclu d’entente avec une agence de services de garde en milieu familial prévoyant que celle-ci supervise la prestation des services.
iii. The group of children does not include more than two children who are younger than two years old.
The entire act can be viewed here and a pdf is available for saving.
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bil...etail_the_bill