FINALLY A GOOD ARTICLE in the Toronto Star!!!!

[Mamateach]

One of the reasons I opened my own Home Daycare was because I had my son in the care of someone working under Wee Watch. This is one of those daycare agencies who provided " a safe physical environment, healthy meals, snacks and food handling, age-appropriate activities and plans in the event of an emergency." My son was NEVER taken to a playground or outside for any kind of activity. The TV was always on when I went to get him. The people who cared for him NEVER spoke English to him. When I asked what they had for snack for him she showed me a can of fruit in light syrup (over 25grams of Sugar!!) Her daughter hit and bit him constantly (she was 4). She showed up to the door in a nighty constantly!! On three occasions we went to drop him off and she didn't even answer the door! She would tell me when someone was coming to "check in on her". She knew and would prepare before hand. We would get these silly write ups saying what she was doing to help our child develop. It was all totally BS. He wasn't even old enough to do the 'booklets' they provided but they would say she was working with him on things I knew he wasn't capable of. I pulled him and quit my job and opened my own home daycare. The parents that have their children in my house can drop by whenever they want unannounced. They do have to be aware that they have to bring child home with them after dropping by because child will get upset but i do encourage it. I encourage all parents I have interviews with to check references and make sure everyone they are interviewing has CPR and criminal records check...even if they aren't choosing me. If parents want to take a walk through my house, they are more than welcome. This is of course, their child's home away from home. I would find it completely insulting to have to work 'under' an agency which failed my own child when I know I provide much better childcare without them.