School pickup and Younger kids

[AmandaKDT]

There have been news articles recently where the police have warned parents not to leave their children alone in the car. People have been charged for doing so. I would be extremely hesitant to leave the daycare kids alone for even two minutes, and you would need permission from the parents for anyone other than yourself to watch the kids (if you take turns with others watching the kids in the cars). You need to make sure the daycare parents know exactly whatever plan you decide to follow and get their written permission to do so. But I wouldn't be asking the parents permission to leave the kids totally unattended in the car, as it is technically illegal.

Just google 'Is it illegal to leave children alone in the car in canada' and a bunch of news articles will come up about it.

[Rachael]

don't need to b so harsh. Many home daycares have their husbands help out. And why not if they are home u have five kids and need a hand..

Wasn't being harsh - merely questioned it because what seems to be common practice in some provinces isn't here.

Children left unattended wouldn't be accepted.
Spouses watching kids whilst the day care provider left wouldn't be accepted - unless maybe it was really an emergency situation.

Jeez, here, even if someone's husband came home 15 mins before day care closed, most clients would expect that he wouldn't be left attended with the children and they would also want a police check/abuse check. Although some level of cross-over is expected in a family home environment between family/spouse and day care children, it's entirely different to leave client's children in the care of someone other than the provider.

So, as you can see, I wasn't being harsh, just shocked at the level of acceptance of something which just wouldn't be accepted here.

In my home, my day care kids love my teenagers. But again, if I left the teens watching over the kids and left the premises for any reason, I could fully expect all 6 kids to be pulled next day. It's just not how things work in some places.

It's a requirement for both agency registered home and/or unregistered providers - police checks for everyone 18 or older on the premises, children not to be left with anyone but the carer during business hours.

Why not? Because husbands/partners/teens aren't the carer, and don't have the experience that made the parents choose you as the carer. Partners/husbands/teens aren't the carer, aren't the contracted person, aren't who is being paid to provide care.

For those reasons, asking anther Mom/teacher to watch the children in the car wouldn't wash either. Again, it's leaving clients kids in the care of a third party. What would be better is having that third party escort the child into school - then it's the provider, as a parent, authorising that for her own child.

[5 Little Monkeys]

So in NS, backup providers are not common than Racheal? The dc has to close if she is not the one watching them?

That's interesting. I know having a backup provider for times/days I can't be here/open is a benefit to me. I've had many parents tell me that it is a relief because although they love home daycare environment, they sometimes have to choose centre daycare because they have no backup if the provider closes. I only use my husband for appt's and such as it's too much to expect him to do a full day but if needed, I have a couple other people that I could ask. So far, I've just closed if it's a whole day thing though.

Just yesterday I had to tell my parents that I just found out I have to go to a meeting that will last 1.5-3 hours and they looked a bit worried until I said my husband will be watching them until I get back and he will just go into work late that day. (It's over naptime so it works out really well for him lol) They were all relieved they didn't have to find alternate care or take the day off themselves. He works in the school division so has all his checks now but the first year I opened, he didn't and not a single parent asked about his! It actually surprised me! He just has a trusting face I guess

[Rachael]

So in NS, backup providers are not common than Racheal? The dc has to close if she is not the one watching them?

Not common at all.

Agency registered providers can apply to their agency for someone to come in and cover the day care. Providers can do this for two appointments per month - but medical/legal type appointments, not for getting your hair done or anything. LOL

Non agency providers/unregistered can apply to an employment agency and have a qualified cover person come in and we would pay for that out of pocket. That cover person would need their police checks and criminal records check physically with them because parents will ask for it. Obviously too, we'd need to tell our day care parents in advance because some will choose not to come until we are back on the premises.


Unqualified/unannounced/family members as cover - heck, no. Really not common and if it happens, I'd say it was on the sly - like under the table type arrangements.

What we have to do, is close BUT, I have a great network here of providers. So, if I know I have an appointment coming up, I'll shout out and see if anyone has spots open that day and then, if parents need a backup carer, I can pass on the information. Then it's up to the parent if they want to use that space for the day. We all tend to try and offer cover for each other like that.

However - I don't close lightly. There was a thread recently where I was really surprised when carer's closed a few hours early, and didn't refund any fees. That wouldn't wash around here. LOL If I have an appointment, then I close but I take it as a personal day. I have 10 in my contract which are paid. As you can see, with limited time off, I really, really try not to close.

I don't have a partner but my day care children love my teens. They see them every day for years and are very comfortable in their presence. My oldest did Child Studies as one of his HS credits, so he knows what he's doing more than most. Well, next week is exam week here. So other than Thursday, both my boys are home all week because most of their exams are progressive (done in the classroom the week before exam week), My oldest (18) will graduate early providing he passes 2 of his 4 courses, so after after Thursday, he's done HS completely. It would be super useful if I could schedule some appointments in the next couple of weeks when he's home because his course doesn't start for a while. But, there's just no way it would be tolerated.

[5 Little Monkeys]

That's too bad....having a backup provider is a real benefit for the parents in most cases! Not to mention it makes it easier on the provider as well to go to appointments that can't be made for evenings/weekends. It's also sort of what I think makes home daycare so different than centre daycare.

My chiropractor appointments are sporadic...I go in when I need too so sometimes they are short notice. Not one parent has ever had a problem with this. They now know that there may be times that I run to the chiro without notifying them and they all agreed to this. I am literally only gone 20 minutes for these appointments though so it's not really even an issue.

10 paid days off wouldn't go over well here LOL. I think I would rather have your situation than be able to close a few hours early with pay because it happens so very rarely. You definitely have the better end of the stick IMO.

forgot...other dcp's in my area compared to family members etc...I would think most of my parents would be more comfortable with my family members than almost strangers because I know my family members better and they trust my judgement. I guess it all depends on what you're used too.

[Rachael]

That's too bad....having a backup provider is a real benefit for the parents in most cases! Not to mention it makes it easier on the provider as well to go to appointments that can't be made for evenings/weekends. It's also sort of what I think makes home daycare so different than centre daycare.

Yes, I can see how that's useful. I had a health scare late last year which is still being dealt with. It meant that 5 hospital appointments sucked up 5 days leave. Although it wouldn't have been 20 mins cause I'm about 30 mins away from the hospitals, to have been able to run out for up to a couple of hours, and have cover in, would have been enough for most appointments.
I have the same on Jan 29th but at least then, I've managed to cram three specialist appointments into one day so it's one day off vs three. I'll just be running from one hospital to the next from 7.45am until early evening but worth it to save two personal days.

10 paid days off wouldn't go over well here LOL. I think I would rather have your situation than be able to close a few hours early with pay because it happens so very rarely. You definitely have the better end of the stick IMO.

Yeah - I'm lucky. I didn't used to have it. When I first opened, they paid if they didn't come in but if I was off, then no pay required. But then I worked 3 years straight unable to afford a day off. LOL I then asked my whole client base if they would rather allow me some leave (I think it was either 5 or 7 days) or have a fee increase and they all agreed to the leave. When that round of kids started moving on/going to school, I changed it again to 10 personal leave days and upped the price for anyone new coming in.

Some carer's have paid leave here like me. Two weeks/Ten days seems to be average. Some don't have any paid leave and are more like my first arrangement. Some take 4-6 weeks off a year and get paid for 2 of them. It really varies.

More providers are added paid leave to their contract now days. It suits me. If everyone does it, it becomes an industry standard which is great for us. I've never had anyone question the 10 days - I also take stat days and public holidays. I have twice had two people state they were surprised it was only 10 days!

[SillyGirl_C]

I would talk to the school and see if they can make an exception and allow you to park in the staff lot for drop off and pick up in light of your situation (easy for your child to see and walk to you) If it is only until he is 5 or 6...they may be happy to help.
I wouldn't recommend leaving the children in the van alone. Someone would see, and report, and even though it is very safe, you would look bad which would be particularly crappy as you are a care provider.