Do I look stupid? Seriously, take a look at the pic on the right. Do I look stupid? Okay, okay, that's not really me but trust me when I tell you that the mirror did not say "stupid" this morning when I was getting ready.
I posted previously about Golden family children. Yes, it was my heart's desire to have golden family return to care. I am currently caring for oldest golden child during her Montessori school break. Late last week I sent out a mass email informing everyone that I had one spot coming available in September. Within five minutes I received a reply from golden mom asking me for the spot for her youngest child with whom she is still on mat leave. Now, all of this sounds stellar until you know the rest of the story.
First of all, they don't need the spot until February of next year. I don't generally hold a spot that far out but I was willing to give it some thought. It would mean an easy six months for me to regroup and not be firing with all guns. However, this idea which seemed plausible quickly turned into an insult.
It appears that they will only send their youngest to me for care. Their oldest, whom I cared for from twelve to eighteen months was pulled from care some years ago to attend Montessori. And, I might add I was not made abreast of this information until two months previous to her departure. In reality, had I known they intended to send their child to their fancy school when she was of entry age I would never have accepted them into care. But, live and learn.
Anyway, the plot thickens. Over the past few days I have come to learn a few things:
1. The oldest will still go to Montessori with the expectation that I will care for her when Montessori is on break,
2. The youngest will not start care for six months past the date of my available opening,
3. The parents are still undecided as to whether or not they will send the youngest to Montessori when she turns eighteen months old.
Yeah, right. I just fell off the turnip truck last night. Why would any provider take on a child and spend all of that time and stress in the transition period only to hand them off to Montessori six months later to start all over with a new child? And, I'm no dummy. If you duped me once before with this scenario why would you ever suspect I would fall for it again?
Not.....gonna.....happen.
I honestly have to wonder about people. Here is a couple - lovely people with great kids but even they don't understand or appreciate our business. And, even though they praise me for a job well done and trust me enough to place yet another of their children in my care at such a tender age they still just view the daycare provider as a commodity to use when it suits them.
We, as providers are often accused of not caring enough. We are accused of being too business-minded. Who could blame us? Are the parents too "business-minded" for doing what is in their best interest by transitioning a child to daycare and then pulling them after all the hard work is done? Nope, I don't know a single parent who would see the parents of these children as being at fault.
I'm the first to admit that daycare is a business first and foremost. I provide a service and you pay for that service. My title starts and ends at provider and the parents' title at client. So, business hat on I will inform these parents that I will not hold a spot for them. I will fill that spot with a family who I at least have a better chance at maintaining for the long haul. It's just business.
Judy looks out for Judy. And why not? If I don't look out for me then who will? The lesson is to never invest in gold because you never know when the stocks will drop. I don't emotionally invest in the families I care for. I don't see it as a prerequisite to quality care. Most families certainly have no allegiance to their provider. They might say they do. They might act like they do. But when the going gets tough, the dollar matters, and it suits them best they will always look out for themselves first. And so should you.
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
Judy, I love reading your blog. However, I was a little disappointed with this one. Parents have every right to send their children to preschools of their choice. Parents likely see you as a business as that's how you see yourself (and rightly so) but they have the option to add additional care/learning if they choose. Don't hold their spot or make them pay additional money for it.
ReplyDeleteI can totally see Judy's point- It is hard to put a lot of energy into a child and their family,only to have them leave in a short time frame.
ReplyDeleteI've had people at interview actually say "oh you'll only have to watchhim for 4-5 months" like it's like it's a bonus. Ummmm I like watching kids, that's why I'm a childcare provider.
ReplyDeleteJudy, am I wrong to believe that if a parent can afford to send a child to Montessori school then they should be able to send them to a larger daycare center for the 6 month period. My reasoning in this is that a daycare center would be able to deal with short term comings and goings.
ReplyDeleteJudy, first let me say that I am in heaven since I found your blog! I enjoy every bit of it...it is such validation to hear someone voice the same thoughts and frustrations I have felt in my 17 years of daycare!
ReplyDeleteIn regards to this particular post...I would say to the annon comment above that yes, the parenst have every right to send their child to whatever prescool they wish...but the provider also has the right to not put 6 mos of hard work into settling a child in that they KNOW is going to leave shortly thereafter....At least you know this up front this time, a lot of times parents will with hold that information and then blindside you with it 6 mos later. I think people really are oblivious to how much work it is to get a child settled in to daycare...there are never and guarantees but when I take a new child I generally expect to have them at least for a year and most of my kids stay until they start school. But 6 mos is not a long enough stretch for me to go to all the effort of the settling in phase...sorry. I agree wholeheartedly with Judy on this one.
I have to thank you for this blog because it is such a validation to the rest of us who face the say day in day out problems with many parents wanting to exploit you as a daycar provider. I have to share your frustration on this, many parents often do not understand the process a daycare provider has to go through to help in the development of the child at this stage, six months is hardly enough to establish a bond wit a child. I agree with you say no.
ReplyDelete