Breakfast Bar Bantering

This weekend we had a family birthday party at our house. The relatives were all gathered around the breakfast bar engaging in small talk. My brother-in-law, who happens to have a one year old daughter, started up a conversation about daycare. Being in the biz I listened intently as I prepared the appetizers a few feet away.

It seems my brother and sister in-law are quite happy with their daycare arrangement. And I have little doubt about this. It seems they have found a woman who has only one other child in her care who is full time along with my niece. This provider claims to "not need the money" and works because she simply loves children. I smiled to myself as I witnessed the evolution of this conversation in all its forms. Apparently, since my niece started a month ago with this provider she had taken on one other child to start in a month's time. All this sounded to me like the makings of a daycare provider starting up her home business. As I listened further I discovered that my niece only attends daycare on a flexible basis. My sister in-law works full time Monday through Friday while my brother in-law works shift work. One can hardly blame them for not wanting to plunk their daughter in daycare full-time when fewer hours are needed. I applaud them for that. However, the surprise in the conversation came when another family member asked what it was they were paying in fees. My brother in-law, proud of the "deal" he had orchestrated admitted to only paying $400 a month for daycare. Wow! It was at this moment that I just had to turn around and get involved. Yes, stupid me. Turning around I asked him how this was possible. Simply put, they pay this astronomically low fee because the child is in care full days a few times a month and the other days she might only attend for an hour between dad's start time and pick up by mom. All this sounds great unless of course, you know how daycare works from an insiders view.

After reiterating the facts that she has now taken two full-timers and perhaps wanting more I had to give him the real deal. I warned him that this is a start up provider. Once she fills the fourth spot they will be in trouble. Because, no one - no one - who can do second grade math is going to keep a child who earns them $400 a month and is all over the place with scheduling, over a child who could bring forth nearly double that in monthly income. Smart providers know better.

It was at that point in the conversation that I had a revelation. My brother in-law looked at me and actually said, "Ah, that won't happen. Annie is a great kid. The daycare provider says how easy she is. She'll never do that". Sigh. I knew then that it doesn't matter if the parents of the kids in your care have a high school diploma, a master's degree or even a doctorate. They just don't get it.

Tsk, tsk to the provider who lured them in with promises of flex days and low fees out of desperation to fill her spots. And admonishment to my brother and sister in-law for falling for it. I thought they were smarter people. But then again, it's always about money. Always, always, always. Somethings never change.









For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca