Errands

[5 Little Monkeys]

We received some cucumbers from a grandma and decided that we should make pickles with them. I didn't have the ingredients on hand so yesterday I took my group of 3 to bulk barn before going to the playground. Pretty sure they weren't scarred from it (if anything, I was! Lol. They wanted to know what everything was in the spice aisle and what it was used for and I felt like an idiot because I didn't always know the answer!! Haha)

I do agree with other posters though...it's all about how we run our programs and by informing Parents of such, they can decide to send their child to us or not. For myself, I've had parents give great feedback on this part of my program. Strangers in the store always comment on how well behaved my "children" are and this makes me proud. I've had parents say they hate doing errands with their child so they leave them at home with a spouse. I think the best way to teach is to do, so I love taking them to the store with me. (This is a rare thing tho, not every week...heck, not even every month!) But I do draw the line at doctors appt's lol (if it works for others that's great tho!)

I take my job very seriously and try to incorporate lots of fun and different things to do to keep us from getting bored and for all my kids thus far, this has included grocery shopping (it's almost the only errand I do). If I had a group that really hated it or didn't get anything out of it, than I wouldn't do it.

Like I said before, I really don't see the difference between leaving the daycare to do an errand or staying home to do one. It's just justified differently but it doesn't make one right or wrong.

Last night I saw an ad for a 24/7 hour dc and I wondered how they get their errands done!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Could this mentality of shelter everything for children be why the 20 year olds of today don't know how to do anything? Could it be from their daycare providers and parents doing everything with out their children? Not picking a fight but after speaking to a few child shrinks this has come up time and time again.

It not about sheltering children. It about doing job being paid to do.

My client come here for educational program not to have second family. My own children, knew about sex, drugs, cultural differences, sexuality, racism and politics long before their need for knowledge.

My children cook, clean, iron clothing, have own bank accounts and plenty life skills before hitting their teens.

Sheltering children? LOL. So offering educational environment with full focus on the children during business hours, with free play with me present, with outside activities daily, with math based learning happening in pretend store vs real one, with outings to farmer's, swimming, walks, splash pad, etc is sheltering children? No, it offering a professional service where clear boundary between business related events and personal running errands aren't crossed.

I don't think it mentality of sheltering children - but flip side - could this mindset of doing own tasks during work day rather than concentrating on tasks employed to do be reason 20 year olds today, expect to show up to job, play on phone, skip out early if quiet, skive off when boss not looking, do as little as can get away with. You know those who have sense of entitlement about picking up pay cheque without actually earning it?

[mickyc]

My kids wish we could get out more!! Unfortunately space in my vehicle doesn't allow for it often.

Those of you who are "on" your whole day must be exhausted! I am and I don't do a pile of provider led activities. My kids love their independance and have amazing imaginations.

I too would never take my kids to a doc appt or dentist but that is just me.

I also think kids have years of schooling ahead of them. Parents need to be responsible for things too. Why do we need to focus so much on things being educational! They are kids and under the age of 5! Let's have fun and learn as you go!

We all parent differently and we all run our daycares differently and as long as our spots are full, kids and parents happy then that is all that matters.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Those of you who are "on" your whole day must be exhausted! I am and I don't do a pile of provider led activities. My kids love their independance and have amazing imaginations.

No more so that employment in past. But I would go into office, put head down, work for duration of day, often have sandwich at desk, and come out at end of day - later if deadline need meet.

During nap time, prep for afternoon and it one task at time, and no multi tasking for 2 hours. So much longer break than used to.

Parents need to be responsible for things too. Why do we need to focus so much on things being educational! They are kids and under the age of 5! Let's have fun and learn as you go!

Agreed. Parent can teach about boredom on lined up bank and grocery shop. Learning through fun incredibly important. Free play with supervision until all here, into yard for more play, sensory activities, snacks, singing ABC's, counting sheep in field, counting eggs in basket, noticing this weeks colour on walk, seeing wildlife around, dance party using colour mats, finding the cars in play foam, "chiselling" action figure from ice block (co-ordination, goal focus), math through measuring ingredient for lunch, set up lemonade stall for toys for math and money skills for paying and change. Real learning through real play.

we all run our daycares differently and as long as our spots are full, kids and parents happy then that is all that matters.

Exactly. My measurement is if parent followed me around all day, would they be getting the service which promised. I just not sure all provider to shop, go bank, wash dog, clean house, prep supper, clean up dander from day care children, would be so comfortable if parent able to see level of personal errands they suggesting they do.



We all parent differently and we all run our daycares differently and as long as our spots are full, kids and parents happy then that is all that matters.[/QUOTE]

[33 Daiseys]

Once again, who says that my dc parents are kept in the dark????? Or that we are not forcoming about what we do. The amount of 20 25 years old that don't know who to cook , or how to budget is insane.
And really whats the difference between teaching children about fruits and veggies and money/math/ budgeting, and taking the child to the store, saying we have 50 dollars this is what we are going to make, what do we need? and having the children take part in planning?

[superfun]

I really think it's great there are so many different programs for parents to pick from. Some parents want the kids to stay on the property, some parents want their kids out on field trips and excursions. So, we each run our program how we want, and get families that like what we offer. Isn't that one of the reasons we're self employed instead of working in a centre? To provide the experience we want to provide?

[5 Little Monkeys]

Well for me, I don't think it's a big deal to go out in the community if it is related to daycare or if it's something the kids enjoy. I don't see the difference between picking up some groceries and doing things like laundry, dishes, cleaning, supper prep, sewing family members clothes, weeding the garden, going online during the work day, reading a personal book, paying a bill online, making plans/schedules for your own family etc etc etc. I just fail to see why some think it's okay to do some errands but not others??

Aside from Suzie, I don't know any providers who are ON all day long and NEVER use the washroom while the kids are awake.(how many times have I read on here that nap time is sacred for most and some don't even take kids if they don't nap) I am sure there are things that we all do that others wouldn't agree with but that doesn't make it wrong IMO. If you want to say running errands is bad than I'm assuming you don't use naptime to do anything for personal use or gain EVER?? Because even though they are sleeping you are still being paid...so you should only be doing daycare related things right?

I don't take the kids to the doctors with me but I can almost guarantee that if it came down to me closing or taking them with me, most parents would be 100% fine with me taking them! lol (thankfully, I am able to go to appt's during the day as my husband is my back up when needed, this is a huge selling point with parents)

Again, I am just confused as to why doing some unrelated daycare things are okay and others aren't?

And I know some think it's a load of crap but there really is a lot of learning going on during these outings My time in the store is doubled because of it but it's what I'm paid to do (teach the kids) so I'm okay with it. It would be a whole lot easier to do my shopping by myself but I enjoy it just like the kids do. I get that some teach with pretend stuff but why is it so bad to teach them with the real thing from time to time too?

[dodge__driver11]

Well for me, I don't think it's a big deal to go out in the community if it is related to daycare or if it's something the kids enjoy. I don't see the difference between picking up some groceries and doing things like laundry, dishes, cleaning, supper prep, sewing family members clothes, weeding the garden, going online during the work day, reading a personal book, paying a bill online, making plans/schedules for your own family etc etc etc. I just fail to see why some think it's okay to do some errands but not others??

Aside from Suzie, I don't know any providers who are ON all day long and NEVER use the washroom while the kids are awake.(how many times have I read on here that nap time is sacred for most and some don't even take kids if they don't nap) I am sure there are things that we all do that others wouldn't agree with but that doesn't make it wrong IMO. If you want to say running errands is bad than I'm assuming you don't use naptime to do anything for personal use or gain EVER?? Because even though they are sleeping you are still being paid...so you should only be doing daycare related things right?

I don't take the kids to the doctors with me but I can almost guarantee that if it came down to me closing or taking them with me, most parents would be 100% fine with me taking them!

Ok, I am late to the game, but here is my take on it. When I interview families, I let them know that there is a mix of educational programming, family like activities, and GOD FORBID PERSONAL ERRANDS, AND OR MANAGEMENT OF MY HOME.

I let parents know I am a one man show who needs to wear many hats, and that my own child and husband rely on my to shoulder some of the errands and home management tasks, because if I did not my home would be a disaster. I offer care to shift workers and my hours vary, because I offer hours that are contracted. If I was "on" for all of the hours contracted I would be long dead, and never get anything done that was not daycare related.

If parents want a different type of environment they are free to continue looking, no one is making them choose me. And, if we are honest about how we choose to conduct our programs, what difference does it make?

I actually had one family leave me because they did not want their child setting foot outside the door other than to the local park, and that's fine, her choice, but I quickly found another family that was all to eager to take their space. I was not going to change the way I did and do things in MY HOME.

ETA: For me, it is also about being reliable for the families that chose me, as most of my clients are nurses, etc. If that means having a quiet day in front of the tv with popcorn, and free play because I am sick than so be it.

Here again, I am one person who cannot be "on" all of the time, and if they need a place that never closes then they must wait the average 2 years it takes to obtain a centre space. And, most dayhomes and centre's here have operating hours of 7:30-5pm M-F. So... shift workers are shafted. I fill a much needed niche, and that works for me.

I am pretty sure that if that bulk of us were honest, we all know that we are not 100% "with it" every daycare day, and we all know that we come to forums like this for a break, even Suzie does that. LOL.

ETA again, LOL: Even though I chose to work from home to be with my child, and because I was tired of someone else being the boss... I chose to work from home because of some of the perks that go with it.

Because I am not paid extra for the time it takes me to write ads, email, call current, past and perspective families, develop contract policies, meetings about child progress et all. I figure that doing "My errands" on the daycare clock, are a fair trade off for all the extra time I devote to said tasks.

If another provider is going to lecture me about what I don't do and my lack of professionalism because of that; go nuts, be the coolest keyboard warrior ever. I really don't care, in the end, I sleep well at night knowing that my clients leave happy, and are all to anxious to recommend me, and my "mixed bag" daycare.

No one provider is better than the other, and as long as you are providing safe, honest care, there is no need to put your "I am better than you hat on" just accept that there are different ways. End.

[mickyc]

Totally agree 5LM. If you are being paid to work from the second you open to the second you close then why the paid days off/stats? Why are you online during the day? Do you not answer your phone?

It's all part of the luxury that comes with working from home and running my own business! I am the boss. If I want to take the kids to get groceries then I will.

And if you have to pee - good grief- GO!!! Lol

[fivelittleones]

Wow, very interesting to read these posts. People are very passionate about their views. lol.

We are not robots, if everyone in the world did things the same way, it would be a very boring place! Different families prefer different things. I know a family who prefers the dayhome to have pets, because they love animals and want their child to feel comfortable with pets/animals. It's the same for shopping/errands. Although, I don't run errands I do think it COULD be used as a learning experience. And for those single mothers who run daycares, they might not have a choice, I can't say that if I was a single parent running a daycare I wouldn't do the same thing. Just a different point of view. Not sure if there are any single parent providers on here, but that is something that would change my view when it comes to running errands.

Bottom line...if the parents are informed about it during the interview and are comfortable with it and the liability issue has been discussed, that's all that matters. The parents are paying for the care and it's up to them.