Parents on government subsidy

[sunnydays]

I actually disagree that this discussion is off topic for this forum. I am happy to end the discussion and agree to disagree as everyone has a right to their own opinions. However, I think this is absolutely relevant. If we are choosing clients based on stereotypes and assumptions, this affects the entire daycare industry. We do all have the right to choose clients as we see fit based on a good fit, but all I wish to do is make everyone think and really re-examine their own biases and assumptions and always put the children first as I know we all wish to do as daycare providers. I definitely do not see this discussion as a "drama-fest" as these are debates that need to be had. Thanks for everyone on both sides who participated in the discussion

[dodge__driver11]

I was on subsidy, and yes we took our son to daycare when we did not work...WhY because we HAD TO PAY for the days regardless of whether we used them or not, and as much as most wont say it sometimes on our days off WE WANT TIME ALONE OR TIME TO CATCH UP ON CHORES. And I think we are entitled to that once in a while....

AND JUST A SIDE NOTE NOT ALL PEOPLE ON THAT ARE LOWLIFE SYSTEM SUCKING BUMS.

IJS

[playfelt]

Biggest issue for me was stability. Parents on subsidy, training grants, etc. were temporary and had to be thought of that way and yes I have replaced one or two over the years when something more stable came along because I needed the stability. I no longer work with an agency and I know things have changed in the 20 years since I did but even the agencies were strapped by the government rules so if the parent didn't pay them, there was no recourse and we didn't get paid. The agency did not take the financial hit our behalf they passed it down the line to us. Hoping that system has changed but doubt it - is it any wonder providers are reluctant to take any parent that does not present with a stable situation.

[Sandbox Sally]

gingerbread11: I don't see anywhere in this thread where anyone said or even implied that "all people on that are lowlife system sucking bums". Just sayin.

Also, NO, you are not entitled to "time off" from your kids, whether the taxpayers are footing the bill or not.

This IS actually off topic now, but why on earth are so many people in such a hurry to get rid of their kids?? Am I the only persohn who'd rather spend a day with my family than having me time??

[Judy Trickett]

Am I the only persohn who'd rather spend a day with my family than having me time??

Nope! I LOVE spending time with my entire family - my hubby AND my kids any time I can get it! I never have ME days and I am quite fine with that, thanks. I'm sure there will be plenty of lonely, ME days when my kids are grown and gone and I realize just how quickly time passed.

[playfelt]

Many of the people on subsidy are single parents. Those of us with a husband or support system from our parents or whatever do not always realize what it is like to be a single parent. My husband is military so I know both sides. The days when I can barely cope from being "on duty" day and night and still having to do my day job on top of it all and just wanting a stretch of more than 4 hours of sleep to catch up or wanting to go the store and dry on a new pair of pants without having a stroller and 3 kids in the change room with me.

Subsidy parents have government rules they need to follow too. If they don't take the child to daycare and sign them in for the day then they don't get paid money for that day of care which means the caregiver isn't going to get paid either. If the caregiver wants her full time wage she needs to care for the child all days so the government will give the parent the full amount. The person on subsidy needs to turn in her forms every month stating what was paid for care and is reimbursed the following month.

I think this thread is more mixed up than off topic. We have people talking about the same issue but not really the same situation just aspects of it.

[dodge__driver11]

Because as much as we hate to say it, WE WANT TO BE ALONE and if that makes me selfish then I guess I am oh well, I had my child knowing what my commitments were, but I have no problem saying that my husband deserves just as much attention if not more--because in the end if his parents are happy so is he.....

And playfelt is right if the caregiver wanted pay, then we took him....if she didn't mind a no pay day then we didn't.

[carla]

Oh my goodness. Subsidy in Alberta is not for parents on welfare. You need to be working, it is based on your income and how many children you have. I find it totally opposite non subsidized parents bring there children everyday because they pay a higher monthly fee. They also tend to bring there children while ill due to having to pay higher bills. 99 percent oft families are subsidized and have never had a problem.

[dodge__driver11]

Yes exactly Carla thats how it was for me I was working and it was based on what I made-- and as I said even if I had the day off I still had to bring him...

[carla]

In Alberta to qualify for full time subsidy you need to have 100 hours for daycare kids and 50 for osc kids. I guess it depends on which province you are in. I am all for parents working and getting subsidy would rather give a hand up then a hand out. If a parent is sitting at home and getting subsidy for there child that is different but if they are working and not sitting on ss then why not help them. As a paren and now as a daycare director I can see how a parent would need subsidy. I was 20 when I had my daughter going to school full time if it was not for daycare subsidy I would be sitting on welfare or working at McDonald's