The Great Ones Always Leave

Why do the good kids always have to go? I swear this is always the case. The great kids come, stay with you a few years and before you know it, time has passed and they are off to far greater adventures. Well, that or cheaper fees. Alas, this seems to be the norm in daycare.

Today, while tidying up the lunch dishes I heard the kids giggling downstairs. One child in particular could be heard above the others as she tried to give direction with little sound so as not to be detected. When I turned the corner to the daycare room I saw a group of very proud, smiling children with their ring leader standing in the arch way. They were proud because, as is our routine, they, with the aide of the four year old ring leader, took out all of the sleep mats and arranged them in their proper places ready for their upcoming quiet time. I don't know for what I was prouder - them for taking such initiative or myself for instilling a sense of routine in our daily activities. I extended my thanks and gratitude mixed with surprise and the smiling faces proceeded to each lay down on their mats and say 'good-night'. No tears, whining or struggles. Just happy, tired children proud of their accomplishment and the recognition given by their caretaker. Ah, if every day could be so grand!

The ring leader, who just turned four, is leaving at the end of June. I'm sad to see this child go. She is truly a delight. Happy, compassionate, empathetic, helpful and mature are terms that come to mind when reflecting on her qualities. She's off to Junior Kindergarten in the fall. Her mother, a school teacher, has secured daycare across the street from their home. Apparently this provider is charging a mere $20 and considers a child who is dropped off at 7:30 am and picked up at 4:00 pm and spends two hours away at school deserving of only a half day rate. Whatever. My guess is that at some point she will see the light. My issue is not with her but with the parents of this delightful child. It bothers me to know that I have extended my heart, my home and my family to this child for many years and my reward is to have her yanked from care the second a better financial deal comes along. I can only imagine how difficult it will be for this child to have to start school and a new daycare all at the same time. I have to wonder if the parents put any thought at all into how big of a transition September will be for their daughter. But, then again, the almighty buck always comes first in daycare, doesn't it?

I have had this same situation happen before. I have spent countless hours pondering a method of deterrence for parents to change providers when their child is older. The only thoughts that have ever come to mind is a graduated payment scale. Perhaps if parents were charged a higher rate for infants and progressively less as the child ages there would be a financial incentive to stay as the child matures. This seems to be how daycare centres operate. However, we , as providers, all know that daycare centres turn zero profit on the twelve to eighteen month age group and only provide that level of care with the hope that the same child will stay with them through the school-aged program. Sadly, with only five spots to offer as per provincial guidelines I can not operate in the hopes of the future. I am forced to live in the present.

There are also those parents who have every intention of only using home daycare services until their children are old enough to attend pre-school. Parents do this for one reason - money. Home daycare providers charge far less for the infant to toddler age group then any daycare center. And, once the child is old enough to attend a pre-school that invariably offers lower rates than the home daycare provider in the thirty month to age four group the parents bolt before they can erase their acceptance phone call heard on their answering machine. I love it when parents tell a provider that they no longer need her services as little Johnny has just been accepted to that pre-school in the neighbourhood. Of course, they have nothing but praise and gratitude toward you. In fact, they recognize that is was solely you that has make him "school-ready". "School-ready"? What the hell does that mean? Is this a parent's way of telling us that we have thus far taught their child the shapes and colours but we are incapable of introducing them to letters and numbers? Well, if it is, I have this to say; many providers are educated women. We don't provide daycare services because we are otherwise unemployable. Good gravy people - it's only the freaking alphabet!

I was having a great day today. In fact, for the most part I'm still having a great day. But, seeing those smiling kids so proud and knowing that their ring leader has few days left here with us made me a little sad. If I was honest I would also admit it makes me a little mad too. I am going to lose a great daycare child, the other kids in my care are going to lose a friend, and the child herself is going to lose a relationship of trust that was many years in the making. But what does it matter? At the end of the day the parents will have an extra fifteen dollars in their pocket. I hope they enjoy that extra money. Perhaps they could take some of it and buy their daughter some happiness. Come September she just might need it.

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