Thanks for the input, fellow providers. Worried that I put too much identifying information into my post, so I am editing.
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Thanks for the input, fellow providers. Worried that I put too much identifying information into my post, so I am editing.
I've had one family ask for a check and they offered to pay for it. I gladly did it and now have it to show other families so it's a good selling point. My husband works evenings so he watched the kids for me so I didn't have to miss work to do so. He has his through his work and it's available for parents to see as well. He's my backup provider so parents like that.
I personally do think they give a false sense of security since they are only good if the person has been caught doing things they shouldn't but it does give some parents a peace of mind. I'm not insulted by it because ( heaven forbid!) if something bad does happen at daycare at least the parents can say they did everything possible in making sure their provider had a clean record. Could you imagine the guilt (and judgements!) a parent would feel and face if their provider was a bad person AND had a bad record that would have showed up had the parent asked!!
Our job is dealing with children in a private setting where no one knows what we do with the children. Many many of us are perfectly safe and trust worthy but a few are not and I think it's perfectly fine for a parent to ask this of us. They wouldn't be doing their job 100% if they didn't IMO.
I have my police check but it was less that that money wise and 8 weeks to receive it in the mail .... I understand that a lot of dcp also have all family members over 16 yrs old that live in the home getting record checks ....I have not made my hubby get one and no family has asked for that ....but really it is kind of a useless piece of paper because all it means is you have not been convicted of something .....but I don't say that to my potential families ....I just smile and say yes here it is .....mine is about 3 yrs old and I should go get an updated one as I am going to have to start interviewing again ....I don't see it as mistrust I see it as parents thinking that are being thorough especially first time parents
My husband (a teacher) and I both have them. We need current ones always on file for working with our church youth, for hosting our exchange students and for any volunteering that we can fit in with our children's school. You can write this cost off. Frankly, I'm surprised that none of my parents have ever requested a copy...that said, I do state in my introductory letter that we have one and for what reasons. For me, if I requested one and my potential provider balked at it, it would be a big red flag. Just my 2 cents.
With being licensed I had to get a criminal record and child abuse registry check for myself and everyone else living in my home over the age of 16.
I would be concerned about their issue with my husband being around the kids. It is his home and there would be many situations where he may be home when the kids are home - before and after his own work hours, if he stays home sick, etc. I would be telling the family this, if they aren't okay with my husband then it isn't okay with me.
It is 50km round trip for me to drive to the station that processes the reports. It closes at 5:30, which is a few minutes after the time I am typically finished my work day. I would have to take time off, pay gas for 50km, plus pay $55 for myself and $55 for my husband. I think that's a lot to ask, and yeah, I'm balking.
Totally understand that, I wouldn't be happy to do all that either. But if you do decide to do it then it is all claimable on your taxes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandbox Sally
Ok. I understand what you're saying, but my next year's taxes have no bearing on the money I have this week. Not everyone has an extra hundred laying around. I am going to ask her if she plans on paying for them, and if she doesn't, I will tell her she needs to look elsewhere.
I totally understand the upfront cost, and the time required to drive there and back would be frustrating. To be honest, I am shocked there is nowhere closer that can handle it. However, if it's going to take another month or more to fill that spot, you're losing more than that in income.
My issue with this situation is just that she is being weird about your husband being home during daycare.
I don't like it either. It's his home. It's a home based business. I think that it's a given that the people who live in the home will be home sometimes during business hours.
There should be a cheaper police check option...that takes about 8weeks to process. I would find out what it costs in your area then report to this family that you are will to expense the cheaper police check that if they want the more expensive check they will have to pay the extra.
I don't believe you have to be present to drop the forms off. Confirm but I think it's just a paper with your information and your ID on it. You should be able to have your husband drop it off, maybe?
Let the other families know you need to close early to do a police check. Make sure the time you go also inconveniences the new family. I do believe having police checks is just part of this business. I agree they give a false sense of security but they are one of few measures families have to try and ensure their child is safe and we can't blame parents for that.
Also...make sure you give all families enough notice of closing early...so what ever your contract states a week or two's notice. And let the new family know that they will have to wait that long so you can properly book time off.
Hopefully, with all the above the family realizes they might be best to not make you go (they will have to pay some, they have to take time off and it will take many weeks).
The only cheaper option is going through my kids' school, but on the report, I will have to have listed the volunteer duties involved and such. This is what the regional police website says, anyway.
I think my biggest issue with all this is that they have no problem waiting a few weeks for the report. If they are suspicious, or if they have safety concerns, why are they leaving their child with me in the two weeks it will take to return the report?
For the record, I have no criminal history. I have never been arrested let alone convicted of anything. I have never even been inside a police car, and I told her this. I feel like this is a relationship based on trust, and we are getting off to a pretty rocky start.
This isn't going to be the popular answer but having worked with street children, families in crisis, abused children, I would absolutely insist on a child care provider having BOTH a criminal records check and a child abuse check for everyone in the house.
Their choice if they didn't want to do it but I wouldn't go there with my child knowing and having seen what I have.
Yes, I understand it just means that they haven't been caught but I do feel it's due diligence.
And yes, as an unregistered carer, I do have both, and also have both for my son who is almost 18. Once my younger son has his 16th birthday, his will be performed and available too.
Here, it's a cost of $50.00 each, and it only lasts three months but there is no way I'd do business without them and it's a common expectation here. Like above, it does have to be applied for in person, and the police stations who offer it, are down town not local, and the service is only available from 8am until 4.30pm Monday - Friday. Yes, it means making sure it's done on a day off or authorizing someone else to go in and apply on my behalf (more paperwork) and return a week later to collect the paperwork (even more paperwork).
In the years I've been doing this, I have NEVER had an interview where these weren't expected to be seen.
I know what you mean but I don't see it the same way. In fact I always tell people to trust by verify - ask to see all the certificates of something a carer is claiming to have.Quote:
I feel like this is a relationship based on trust, and we are getting off to a pretty rocky start.
In time, yes, they will trust you. As you prove your standard of care and as they get to know you. But initially, you are a stranger. You might seem lovely, but they don't know you. You might sound like you know what you are doing, and look like you know what you are doing, but so do the biggest scammers and criminals and child abusers. As much as a parent wants to trust you, they have nothing to base that on yet other than your own words and some references from others they don't know either.
It's simply due diligence.
If you were in a traffic accident, would you believe someone's claim they had insurance or want to see it and record the information accurately?
No one trusts fully a random stranger. They want to be able to, they hope in time they will but until a relationship is built over time, they have no reason to trust you.
But...they are willing to leave their kid with a potential criminal and/or child abuser for two weeks, and that's a-ok?
Regardless, I know some amazing parents and people who have records. I know some shitty parents and abusive people who have squeaky clean reports. Shrug. It means nothing. But that's really not the point of my post...lol
Possibly off topic, but do any of you ask for references from the parents? I have never, but I've had prospective clients offer. I am really wondering about the real reason behind their dismissal from the other daycare.
In over 4 years of doing childcare, I've only ever had one parent ask for it. She also wanted to see in every room, closet, drawer and cupboards...then asked for a tour of upstairs too! It was awkward, I wasn't sure if it was still an interview or if she wanted to buy my house? I even asked my man if he had a crazy ex named ______! lol
I have wondered the same about asking references from the parents too, since I give them my references. It would be nice to know why they want to jump ship in their current dcp!
Oh boy, that IS quite a chore for you and understandable. This is the first I've hearing of a Child Abuse Check; what is it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandbox Sally
Hey Sandbox fancy meeting you, its been forever!!! I can't see your post... but Rachel, we will have to agree to disagree here.
My husband holds a job with a crown corp, and if he were a criminal he would not have a job... I agree with some of the other posters here when they say, it is just a piece of paper. The truth is parents can do their due diligence in other ways.
1. Ask your provider about the kid's day
2. See how your child feels about going there, are they excited, happy, (depends on the kid I know, but if I see issues with mood, I say something right away)
3. If there is an open door policy, check on your child, go on outings with the provider and the group if you can...I welcome that actually.
I wasted my time once with a hyper vigilant mom who wanted everything, and she ended up going to a centre later on, because she wanted a bigger group...To play devils advocate do you ask centers to present CPIC's and sector checks for all who work there??
If I am some criminal my own child would not be living here...
This is common practice in the UK where in-home day cares placements are very hard to find. I have done it only once here, when someone had a 15-month old and had already been through 2 carer's in 3 months! The parents claimed certain reasons and as I happened to know the carer's (although the parents didn't realize this), I did get both sides of the story.Quote:
Possibly off topic, but do any of you ask for references from the parents?
[QUOTE=Gypsy Mama;69456She also wanted to see in every room, closet, drawer and cupboards...then asked for a tour of upstairs too! [/QUOTE] That is also common place in NS.
Here, parents expect to see police checks for every adult in the house, criminal records check, certificate of insurance (although I black out my premiums), certificate for infant CPR and first aid. They expect to see every single room their child will be in, including kitchen, dining room, sleeping rooms, washrooms, yard, etc.
I consider any interview two way. If someone is leaving a current carer who is local, I have no issue in asking why they are looking for a new carer. Just as they are checking my suitability, I am checking theirs. After all, they are coming into my home, having contact with my children and my client's children and they are foolish, if they are presuming the vacancies is theirs just because they determine they want to come. I turn away maybe 70% of people who say they want a place and I choose based on my own preferences.
when parents leave I ask for 2 letters. one saying why it is that they are leaving, and another as a written reference. it saves having 20 potential parents call my references. then if i have a family that wants the spot then i will give them the numbers.
Maybe it's just me but I view my home as my home after daycare hours. During work hours, it is my business and therefore it opens me, my fiance (he's here during the day) and our home up to my clients and their questions and concerns. If I didn't want that than I should not have opened my doors and I should have stayed working in a centre IMO. Of course it is still my home during work hours but there is also a grey area and I don't fault the parents for asking nor am I offended. I try to put myself in their shoes and I would likely ask the same. I agree with the poster who said that not agreeing to this would raise a red flag. It is entirely up to each provider to decline and I think that is fine but just be aware that it would look suspicious to some families and may turn some away.
In daycare centres, every staff member is required to have a clean check done so asking to see one would be pointless because they wouldn't be working there if they didn't have a clean one. A parent could probably ask to see it though. Many people who do not have clean checks live with their children Dodge.
Well 5 we have to agree to disagree again, and that's okay:) I have a client who has been with me since I opened, one that just left that has been with me for 2 years. I also have references from past positions, and written testimonials, so in my opinion those speak better then a piece of paper that says I wasn't caught doing something illegal. I have one but I don't get it renewed.
I understand that that sometimes may be the case, but at the same time I am saying at some point someone would have intervened, especially when the child goes to school, kids are not good liars, for pete's sake I know that lol.
I guess what I am trying to say 5 is we do our best to Vito people all the time but sometimes whackadoo's still get into our home, and did we ask them for a CPIC?
Anyways I've shared my opinion on this topic in past posts, so its all good.
I totally agree that all those examples are better references than a piece of paper but there have been stories of hdcp's who don't have clean records but because parents didn't ask they didn't know. Those are the situations that I think of when a parent asks and completely understand why they do.
I also don't think a parent should rely on the clean cheque only and should continue to "investigate" their hdcp until they are certain they trust them. Parents that just put their child in my care without so much of a thought as to what kind of person I am make me wonder how they do that. Of course I'm totally safe and trustworthy but they don't know that!
In BC all staff of daycares have to have their CRC and the same with home daycares and everyone who lives in the house over 18, and you have to renew it every five years , it cost $28 for each check -
if a bad guy has the same date of birth you have to file a more detailed form and that costs $55 and just hope you don't have to do that every 5 years- some parents ask about it but a lot of parents are not even aware of it but it is a requirement to be a licensed daycare or to be ECE or to even volunteer at daycares and schools in BC
Update:
I gave them the spot. I still haven't found time to get my check done, but I'll do it eventually. They didn't ask about my husband getting one, thank goodness. They have turned out to be a very atypical family from what I am used to, but they have paid on time, drop off and pick up on time, and the little girl is lovely. :) Shrug.
They're not friendly. Mom never replies to my texts, even though she asks me to send them. Dad does drop off and mom does pick up and they NEVER smile or thank me. I understand, though, that people are just different, and a business relationship doesn't have to be friendly.
So, all's well that ends well. LOL
Wow that's odd though that they can't be more personable??? It's inpolite in my opinion not to at least make face, and in a business relationship like no other. Are you filing their taxes or helping raise their child lol Glad it's working out for you and hopefully they will warm up to you a bit as its still early days. Not being friends and being friendly are two different things in my opinion but then there's nought as queer as folk ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandbox Sally
Glad it worked out well but I agree with BS. It is one thing to be friends but another to be friendly. If my families weren't friendly to me I don't know how long I'd keep them as clients. If I wasn't friendly to them or their child they sure as heck wouldn't like it now would they? Saying this, I am not friends with them outside of daycare.
I think business relationships (especially in this industry) need and should be friendly but as long as it's working out for you, great!!
I was under the impression that a criminal record check was required for anyone over age 12 in the home?Quote:
Originally Posted by Van
YOu could be right Daycaremom9 My kids are over 12 a long time ago LOL
funny how in BC we don't even have a copy to display to the parents as it stays filed with the police
so that is different than most part of Canada
OH well it's all for the good of the children to protect them so I don't mind at all
Yeah, I never did understand that. In interviews I just tell the parents that the CRC is kept on file at licensing and have my licensing officer's number attached to the form I had sent in.
Have you heard about the new policy that requires anybody living in the home having to bring ID to the licensing office so they can be sure that we are the people applying for the criminal record check?