Home daycare with 12 kids

[Teagansmom]

This really burns me. All this crap about bill 143 is exactly because of situations like the OP describes. Because, historically, EVERY death that has occurred in home daycare in Ontario in recent years due to accident or homicide has been in an illegal daycare. And because of that all daycare is grouped together as "bad" and "illegal" if it is provided for in a HOME. It really bothers me because Bill 143 isn't going to stop this. Illegal daycares and law breakers are not going to suddenly tow the line because of some new law. But we all, those of us doing it right, are going to suffer and pay the consequences through new legislation, for those who really ARE illegal. And this is why now I report every.....single...i llegal daycare situation. I report it because it DOES affect ME.

BTW, I personally think that parents should also be charged with something when they place their child in an illegal or warehousing type daycare. In the past it is only providers who are charged but, IMO, parents should be held even MORE accountable because this is THEIR kid and they are ultimately responsible for keeping their child safe. Start charging parents with neglect or willfully putting a minor in harms way and only THEN will you stop warehousing.

I agree 100%, parents should be the "inspector" everyday at drop off and pick up. Whenever a parent calls and the first question they ask is my fee I see a red flag. Don't get me wrong I know people are pinching pennies but that's why there is daycare subsidy. I mean that should not be the first question IMO. T

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with you Judy. Parents need to be held accountable as well. I can't imagine being a parent and dropping my child off somewhere where they are "hoarding" children. Unfortunately, some parents don't do their research and don't even know the laws. Or they ask the dcp and the dcp tells them a lie and the parent doesn't check the facts. I have had parents and friends ask me what the laws are here (MB) and are shocked when I tell them. Quite a few have told me that they were told by other dcp's that it's 5.

Here in MB, we are allowed 4 including your own children. I wish that they would increase the number to 5 or 6 but I don't think that will happen. Like you said, illegal daycare's will continue to operate. I'm not sure about elsewhere but here, if a dcp is found to have too many children all that happens is they are made to call the parents immediately and all need to be picked up asap. The dcp can open again as long as they stick to the 4 child rule and/or take the steps to become licensed. Their is no real consequence to running over the limit other than the parents are without dc as of the next day. (and of course the potential risk of injury increases with the larger amount of children)

[Samantha33]

BTW, I personally think that parents should also be charged with something when they place their child in an illegal or warehousing type daycare. In the past it is only providers who are charged but, IMO, parents should be held even MORE accountable because this is THEIR kid and they are ultimately responsible for keeping their child safe. Start charging parents with neglect or willfully putting a minor in harms way and only THEN will you stop warehousing.

This would fix the problem and educate parents on home daycare laws.

[cfred]

This is the first time in 4 years I'm looking to fill spots. I relocated to a new city and I guess I have to make a name for myself. I'm advertising constantly with postings on numerous sites, flyers, drop in centers etc.... I have had a lot of inquiries for August and September but that's still a few months away.

I went through the exact same thing when I moved here 18 months ago. Brand new and had to rebuild. I was in an utter panic, especially with this being my only source of income. Unfortunately, yeah....there's that bit of time while you rebuild, but once it's through it's (so far) smooth sailing. I did have some lean months to start, but now it's good. I also changed my approach completely, which, so far, has been very well received. Do you have a website? I also had a lot of people say in interviews that they liked that I was very descriptive in my ad on here...that plus the website was their initial reason for contacting me. I looked at what other providers in the area were doing and tried to expand on those practices or change them up a little for something a little different. Good luck....I really hope you fill those spaces soon! It's like watching a pot boil though, isn't it?!

And for Judy's comment about parents having some culpability, YUP!!! I thought that the mum of the little girl in Vaughan was pretty cheeky in pointing the finger at everyone but herself. It's terrible that she lost her little daughter, but gawd woman! Really??? You left your kid THERE!?

[Teagansmom]

Thanks cfred, I'm hoping things will pick up soon. I'm currently working on getting a website up and running. I've had a lot of postcard flyers made up and I pass them around at the mall, homes, leave them at super markets. They have a few photos of my set up and detailed info on my program.
With regards to your website do you use weebly?

[cfred]

Honestly, I'm not sure what site was used to make my website. My brother in law did it for me (thank goodness!!!)...but it was from a template. I have no computer skills whatsoever. PM me if you want to have a look at my website. I kept it fairly brief. It's detailed enough that it gives the general idea and looks professional, but succinct enough that it's not daunting to read through. I also didn't list my prices....they have to call for that I know the waiting game is the really hard part. It took me a year to fill my final space with one bad placement after another. Now I seem to be on track. It takes time. Like anywhere, I have people who come in and low ball all of us. I decided to go the other route and up the ante as going lower just isn't an option. I'm honestly amazed that it worked!

[momofnerds]

you can have all the laws in the world and thats not going to stop the people. The vaugn incident proved some important things, they offered cheap daycare, the home was investigated several times including the health department, they spoke another language, and their home looked very messy but yet the parents dropped their kids off there every single day. I think its coming down to people are looking for cheap daycare and when something happens are quick to point fingers at everyone else but themselves.

[JennJubie]

BTW, I personally think that parents should also be charged with something when they place their child in an illegal or warehousing type daycare. In the past it is only providers who are charged but, IMO, parents should be held even MORE accountable because this is THEIR kid and they are ultimately responsible for keeping their child safe. Start charging parents with neglect or willfully putting a minor in harms way and only THEN will you stop warehousing.

Somebody had to say it. If you as a parent don't properly look into where you are sending your child, you are partly responsible for anything that happens.

[mimi]

I absolutely agree Judy, parents should be charged with neglect or wilful endangerment for putting their child in an unsafe environment.

This has been bothering me for a while..........does anyone know what the cause of death was for the little girl in Vaughn? I ask because I don't think the "providers" were charged criminally for her death so I wonder if it was accidental or natural.

[mickyc]

I am going to be the odd ball out here but here are my thoughts (I know this is a little off the main topic and more to mimi's comment). Now yes having 12 children is way too many and not safe but here is my argument.

So every province is different on the amount of children allowed. So lets say a provider has 5 children and is over her limit by 1 and then a provider who is legally allowed 4 plus her own children on top of that (so say she has 8 kids total) - how is the one who is over 1 (but under the amount of 8) endangering those children and being neglectful? Just because the law states that she can only legally have 4 instead of 5 but the law in another province states they can have 4 plus their own children? This is where I have always been annoyed that the government doesn't regulate private daycare's across Canada. Also how is a licenced provider who is allowed more children any better than a private provider - just because she has someone come in a few times a year to check on things. If you are a bad provider it won't matter if you have a licence or not. I just think the whole thing seems out to lunch to me.