For your child's safety, please insist on qualifications for providers!

[Skysue]

I have never gotten the whole police check concept. When it first came out it was for organizations and the sole purpose of protecting their butt in case something occurred. But for general use it became the be all and end all. But what does it really prove to anyone. It only tells you if the person has been convicted of a crime in the past 3 years or something like that. If the caregiver can give references to a steady stream of parents going further back then isn't that more important. Besides if there had been a breach against children by the caregiver her own children would have been removed from the home for safety would they not? And then they turn around and say you should renew it yearly or every other year which sounds to me like a cash grab by the province. In this midst of all this are people such as high school students with no proven background trying desparately to get their police checks to do work either paid or volunteer. I know I am in the minority on this belief but I have been in daycare long enough - 24 years to have seen just about every "band wagon" issue of the moment come and go.

It's more just piece for of mind I think and if that's what it take then so be it! I do see where your comming from though! TRUST is a BIG issue for all of us!

[ConcernedParent]

Trust is earned. And when we send our kids to complete strangers we are desparetely in search of that trust factor. With my first born, I loved his babysitter from the second I met her. She had a beatiful personality and was very loving. Her house was clean, bright and toddler friendly. Her husband and children were just as charming. BUT as much as I liked her there was that trust factor because she was a stranger. So yes, the police check gave me a piece of mind. You are right. )

[ConcernedParent]

That was supposed to be a smiley. Oops.

[ConcernedParent]

Uhh, okay. You have your standards. I have mine. Yours makes you happy. And mine gets me through the day especially when my 2 year old is in the care of another for 9 hours a day 5 days a week. And if you think wanting first aid is harsh then you're definitely a service I wouldn't be needing. No hard feelings. I've got 1st aid and want the babysitter to have it too. Simple.

[fruitloop]

Uhh, okay. You have your standards. I have mine. Yours makes you happy. And mine gets me through the day especially when my 2 year old is in the care of another for 9 hours a day 5 days a week. And if you think wanting first aid is harsh then you're definitely a service I wouldn't be needing. No hard feelings. I've got 1st aid and want the babysitter to have it too. Simple.

I wasn't refering to wanting your provider to have first aid. I have my first aid. I was refering to you thinking that we are your employee...that is harsh since it is completely false. I think every single person on the planet should have first aid no matter who you are.

[ConcernedParent]

I think you misread my statement. I don't think that at all.

[sunnydays]

Although I have police checks done and would require it from a daycare provider, I also agree that they don't really prove a lot. All it proves is that the person has not been caught and convicted of a crime. You can have a clear police check and be a pedophile...it just means you haven't been caught. I completely understand why parents want it, but they should also understand that it doesn't mean they can trust the caregiver necessarily. For that they should rely more on instincts, references, and the child's behaviour as well as unscheduled drop-ins (I know this is not popular with a lot of providers, but as a provider, I am good with it as long as the parent takes the child home with them and I believe it should be done).

[Emilys4Guppies]

I also allow unannounced drop-ins, so long as parents take their child when they leave. I am very upfront about that and encourage it, if they can on occasion. I think that it enables a certain amount of trust to simply tell a parent that you understand their concerns and have a plan to alleviate them.

[playfelt]

I think most caregivers are ok with parents dropping in on occasion - but yes child must go with the parent so no just popping in on your coffee break or lunch hour and going back to work. As a caregiver though I always have to take the child's side in situations. While they are excited to go with mom what about them being in the middle of an activity that is going to take awhile or anxiously waiting their turn as in been promised they are next for the paint easel or after snack we will play the big blocks you like or that we are having cupcakes for afternap snack for a child's birthday or because we made them that morning just for fun. Then child is suddenly yanked away from their day. I really don't like it when the parent puts their insecurities first and doesn't take their child's feelings into consideration. And no too bad mom is not hanging out for the rest of the day - child will just miss out and no we are not doing it tomorrow just for him. We have a daily agenda.

[sunnydays]

Playfelt: although I can see your point about the child missing out on acitivites etc, I just feel that as a parent, our number one job is to keep our kids safe and to do this, we have to know that they are being well cared for in their daycare. So, I feel as a parent, I would rather deal with a child who is upset about missing something than missing a potentially abusive or neglectful situation because I was too concerned about them missing something to drop in and take them home early. I have been on both sides and I know that it can be a pain as a provider, but I still feel strongly that parents should do it, especially in the beginning when they are getting to know the provider.