I had an epiphany today. I realized why there are unprofessional daycare providers. Why? Because it's fantastic to be unprofessional. No cares, no worries and extra time to boot.
Earlier today I was reading a forum post where in one provider was referring to another daycare provider in her area who routinely opens up for the day in her pajamas. I think we can all agree that working in bed head and pajama pants reeks of a lack of professionalism. One must wonder if this provider conducts interviews in her pajamas. Do I dare guess that she takes the time to throw on a pair of jeans before an interview? I should hope so. What then, do those same parents think on the first day of care to learn that the person who sat in the interview with them in jeans and a clean T-shirt thinks it appropriate to wear the clothes she slept in to work? If I was a parent I would suddenly wonder what else the provider lead me down the path to believe about the quality of care she offered. If a provider can not find the time to shower and dress where is the assurance she will find the time or need to change my child?
There will always be substandard providers. The frustrating and annoying part of knowing one of these lack luster and unprofessional individuals is the feeling we all get of things always working out for them. There they stand in their cozy pajamas, having just crawled out of bed, with their hand out for this week's payment while you have been up for an hour and a half to ensure time to shower, dress and tidy your home. You start to wonder what it is you are doing wrong. Why stress over a tidy house and clean, pressed jeans when the lady down the street seems to be doing just fine in her pajamas and crumb ridden floor? The answer is simple; it's about self-worth and going above and beyond. In one word - professionalism.
Today I woke up, showered, put my hair in a neat twist and threw on my pajamas to tromp down the stairs and off to work. As I did so I felt odd and unkempt. I tried to feel as fun and excited as the kids would feel upon their arrival to pajama day. It was a hard feat getting past the notion that I wasn't really prepared for the day. But I have to admit that a few hours has past and I am feeling pretty comfy in my flannel pajamas and fuzzy socks. I can only imagine how stress-free, comfortable and rested I would be if every day I crawled out of bed five minutes prior to the arrival of my first daycare child and spent the rest of the day lounging around in my flannel attire. What a life that would be.
Maybe those other providers are on to something. Maybe we, stiff, judgemental providers are just jealous. I know I am. I too would secretly envy and loathe the provider down the street in her pajamas at noon as I struggle with my herd of kidlets passing her home in my crunchy new jeans and far too hot leather shoes. I only wish I had the fortitude to work in my pajamas and tousled hair. Sadly I don't. I care too much about my business persona and my professional outlook concerning daycare. But then again, I never have to worry about attracting clients or making a fair and reasonable income. Call me crazy but amazing things happen when you find the time to put on a bra and run a brush through your hair each and every morning.
I often claim that parents are clueless and self-interested. But the day that parents are so self-absorbed to actually sign on to care while I conduct interviews in my pajamas will be the last day I wear the title of daycare provider. For some things , even comfort, I am not willing to compromise my self-image and worth.
So let the babysitter down the street live in her pajamas. It really doesn't affect me. But the first time she complains about parents not respecting her you will see me walking away with deaf ears. You can't have it both ways.
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
14 comments:
It's funny todays topic is pyjama's. The woman across the street wears pyjama's till around 10 in the morning (and you know who I'm talking about) If I'm not dressed and ready for the day then I can't get started. Pyjama's are for sleeping and have been ever since I remember.
oh thank you for posting this from a providers POV.
My last provider started answering the door in her bathrobe obviously fresh from her evening of slumber. That was the icing on the cake for me and I promptly started looking for new care. A million things started going through my head about my kids day. When does she actually get dressed, where are my kids when she does? Probably parked in front of the TV while she gets ready for the day. Ummm no. If I can take the time to get myself and my kids ready for the day, so can she.
someone once said to me - "Oh you must love working at home, you can just answer the door in your pj's and be comfy all day" I don't feel ready to do anything in my pj's. Even on weekends, I'm so lazy until I change. I get up at least an hour before my first kids arrive, I shower, do my hair, dress and have breakfast - then I'm ready for work!!
I really love reading your blog, Judy, but I have to say, I found this post offensive. I am currently 8 1/2 months pregnant, and while I don't wear 'pyjamas' all day, there are more days than not right now where I am up 10 minutes before my first child shows up and am in sweats and a hoodie for the day. And actually, it's been that way for most of my pregnancy b/c I've been so exhausted and sick a lot of days. While I understand that I don't appear as professional as I possibly could (before I was pregnant I was up early to get a workout and shower in before the start of the day) it certainly does not mean that I am a 'substandard provider' (your term)! In fact, I am an EXCELLENT daycare provider. Every single child in my care is loved, encouraged, comforted, praised and has a great time each day. I pride myself on my ability to provide excellent care, and I know that's why I never have trouble filling my spots, have amazing 'golden' families who are never short on praise and appreciation for me, and why the kids are so excited to arrive at my house every day! This is my last week before I take 5 weeks off to prepare for/have my baby, and all my families will be back in January as they made short-term arrangements to make sure their children could stay in my care. As a mom and a provider, I have to say, appearance would be the least of my concerns when looking for a great daycare for my child. You mentioned something about judgmental daycare providers, and perhaps that's something you might want to examine more closely. Don't be so quick to judge...it's quite arrogant to think that based on what a person chooses to wear each day, you are able to gauge the quality of the care she provides. And besides, really, what do any of us care what another daycare provider wears to work? It certainly isn't affecting my business, and I'm pretty sure my sweatpants haven't affected your paycheck today.
I sort of have to agree with anonymous above. There are days when I too roll out of bed ten minutes before the first kid arrives, in fact on Friday I overslept and my first mom just left her son on the couch and went to work :) To me, that shows just how much this mom trusts me! When I rolled out of bed ten min later amazed that I had not heard them, the boy was sitting on the couch with my two sons who had gotten up before me :) We had a good laugh at five o clock when mom arrived to pick her son up!
I TOTALLY agree with Judy (usually do!)
While it's one thing to be comphy for a day of playing with kids, it's another to not be up or dressed (in what ever fashion) when the kids arrive. I admit, I wear sweats, a LOT. but they're clean, I'm showered, my hair done and makeup even applied before the first kid arrives.
If we want to be TREATED like professionals, we need to act professional and present ourselves professionally. Otherwise we're hypocrites.
pp, couldn't have said it better myself. Proffesionalism.
I love PJ days - but they are scheduled - I wouldn't feel right answering the door not dressed like I would if I worked outside the home. PJ's just don't cut it for work attire - no matter how good of a provider you are.
I totally agree with you Judy. I don't think my parents expect me to have makeup and hair perfectly done (although that would be nice and does happen sometimes!) However I do think that you CAN gauge a provider based on wether she wears her p.j's or not.I think how you present yourself to the world even if it's just the 5 daycare parents you see every morning shows how much you care about your job and value the fact that those parents chose you to care for their babes (and yes, we know our parents love us, even still, it's that magic P word, Professionalism) Just my opinion. Would you expect to walk into a traditional daycare centre and see the teachers wearing p.j's? I would think that totally unprofessional and think twice about sending my child there if that were the case. I used to start the early shift at a daycare centre that was an hour away on the subway at seven in the morning but I still showed up looking decent. Just because I work in the comfort of my own home doesn't give me the right to project an unprofessional image to my dcps and neighbours. I think the reason that some people make comments to me like "oh it must be so nice to work at home, you don't even have to get dressed for work in the morning!" is because of daycare providers who dress in their p.j's. We need to still present ourselves in a way that commands respect or noone will ever respect us. I think everyone can agree that we are a field that needs a little more respect from the outside world! (Pregnant Provider, you get a pass, I was in sweats for quite a bit of my pregnancy while doing daycare, I think everyone could understand that. Besides, sweats and a hoodie isn't exactly p.j's to everyone, I'm thinking more along the lines of two-piece flannel snoopies when I think p.j's)
I think as caregivers we have the responsibility to not only be a good role model to our own kids, but also to every kid that is in our care. Parents trust us enough to watch over their most precious gifts - their kids. And we need to honor that gift by being professional.
http://www.nannypro.com
To the anonymous poster who wrote about sleeping in and finding the dc kid on her couch. I don't think that is funny. Sure, the parent trusts you (or is stupid) and you must be very close. If this happened to me (it wouldn't, my door is locked until I open for the day) I would be mortified!Also, the parents I have would be pretty upset I think if I was not ready for them.
No kidding! My door is also locked until I'm ready and my daughter is eating breakfast. If I have an early starter, guess what, my daughter and I start early too. I can't fathom getting prepared for my day when my day has technically already started. Just because my business is in my home DOES NOT give me license to be unkempt and unprofessional.
And the pregnant lady ... that's a whole different ballgame. I wore sweats throughout my entire pregnancy too, but I think we can all agree that this post is not talking about pregnant providers.
I don't know, things happen, I tend to sleep in once in awhile and it's certainly not on purpose but the fact that we are all human does mean things like wearing our jammies or rushing to the door as your first parent is coming up the driveway doesn't mean someone is a bad provider. I am mortified when things like this happen and I'm very grateful for the group of parents I have who do understand that we are not superheros. I might sleep in the odd morning and apologetically get the door (my door is usually open though since my hubby tends to head out to work before I get up some days, those are also the days I'm more likely to sleep in too lol) but so do my daycare parents. There are far more times where I sit waiting for someone to show up at their regularily scheduled drop off time than I find myself apologizing for sleeping late.
Parent here: I have never understood why in-home providers don't wear something like scrubs. Although I am not a childcare provider, I have worked with children a great deal, particularly the infant to pre-schooler set, and I learned the hard way when I was a student not to wear any clothes that I valued on the job. As a parent, the only time I questioned my previous in-home providers clothing choices was when she would open the door in get-ups like halter dresses with heels. Who can chase after children in heels? That seemed way more inappropriate to me than pjs. I would rather my provider be comfortable.
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