What I have learned from my daycare search....

[Judy Trickett]

Marie............

I must say, you are a gem. Seriously, you are. I find there are many parents who really don't understand what it is to be a daycare provider and often times, have unrealistic expectations that NO person, provider or otherwise, could meet given the responsibilities of this job and the care and concern of multiple children.

You are bang on in your advice (with the exception of giving contracts before the interview).
The reason most providers will not give out contracts before hand is that there ARE start up providers who are not professional who will pose as a parent to get a free contract that they, themselves will not put the work into and create. Sad, but true.

And, Marie, if you know anything about me, telling you that you are a true gem of a daycare parent is a big thing.

Your daycare provider is lucky to have you.

[Marie999]

Marie............

I must say, you are a gem. Seriously, you are. I find there are many parents who really don't understand what it is to be a daycare provider and often times, have unrealistic expectations that NO person, provider or otherwise, could meet given the responsibilities of this job and the care and concern of multiple children.

You are bang on in your advice (with the exception of giving contracts before the interview).
The reason most providers will not give out contracts before hand is that there ARE start up providers who are not professional who will pose as a parent to get a free contract that they, themselves will not put the work into and create. Sad, but true.

And, Marie, if you know anything about me, telling you that you are a true gem of a daycare parent is a big thing.

Your daycare provider is lucky to have you.

I'll print off your quote and give it to my provider just so she knows what a catch I am!!

OBVIOUSLY I'm kidding


Seriously now - Thanks, that's nice of you to say.

[waterloo day mom]

I find it really frustrating when people assume that because I do not have any children of my own yet that I am inexperienced. Having worked at a preschool (specializing in special needs support), camps, volounteered in my church's nursery, as well as having gone through teacher's college, I can safely say that I have PLENTY of experience with children of all ages and more than enough patience. Please do not assume that childcare is the same as parenting. I am not these children's mother. I care about them, I want to see them grow and succeed, and I sincerely hope that in the future they remember me fondly and perhaps even keep in touch. However, I don't believe that any childcare provider would claim to be "mothering" the children in their care. Childcare means being able to handle the needs of many children at once, and to be able to work with children who are very different (different cultures, family types, discipline backgrounds, SES, parenting styles, etc). Not having my own children gives me a few advantages in this case. 1) I do not assume that the children coming into my house will be like mine. I am open to them as individuals. 2) I get peace and quiet and a childfree evening and weekends! Getting a good night sleep and not having to deal with diapers, crying, demands for attention etc after business hours means that I can relax and prepare myself for tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I'm positive that there are many providers who have children who do a wonderful job (I even know some of them), but please don't discredit me or others who don't have children of their own. There are plenty of teachers and nannies out there who are not parents themselves and for the most part they also do a fabulous job. I realize that this post has been long and I apologize