I Think I Can, I Think I Can

The Little Engine That Could certainly had it right when he proclaimed his ability to do anything if he set his mind to it. In fact, it is my firm opinion that in most cases it is our self-limiting beliefs that prohibit us from attaining what it is we both want and deserve. The human mind is incredibly good at negative self-talk that can debate the opposing side of any argument regardless of its owners stance. The key is to be smarter than our brain.

Every day I encounter daycare providers who do not share the positive outlook of The Little Engine. They come up with reasons and excuses why they could never operate like the successful daycare provider down the street or across the city or on-line. They tell themselves that contracts would refused, policies disregarded and that fee increases would result in empty nap mats. They wallow in their self imposed limitations and lack of faith. In short, they are not willing to put it all out there and demand what is rightfully theirs. Instead, they continue to live in unhappy business relationships out of fear and lack of assertion. These providers are scared.

When the leaves began falling from the trees and the smell of fermenting foliage started to permeate the air I ran into a fellow neighbourhood provider on one of our park outings. We exchanged small talk and openings and then, as always, the conversation turned to rates. The provider confided that she charged thirty dollars per day and was very much wanting to increase her rate schedule to match the current inflationary times. This provider asked me what I charged for daily care. When I informed her that my current fees were thirty-five dollars a day and I anticipated an increase to thirty-six dollars in January her eyes became Pug-like. The look on her face said it all. She was envious and at the same time a little unnerved by the fact that a colleague, less that a kilometer from her own home and daycare was earning twenty-five to thirty dollars more per day. She then asked me how it was I managed to collect such exorbitant fees. My response - I simply demand to be paid what I am worth.

Why do so many providers share the mindset of my neighbourhood park provider? Why is it they live in fear of money? Why do they not demand what is rightfully theirs - a fair wage for a fair days work? It boggles my mind. I know a secret. And that secret is that if those same providers just changed their mindset their lives could be a lot more fulfilling. They could attract parents and children who regard their polices. They could attract parents who value their worth and therefore their fees. And when a parent, or anyone for that matter, places value in something they pay on time and never complain about the cost. But, as they say, you can not sell what you do not own. So, how do you "own it" ? Owning "IT" refers to the sense of self. It is knowing, unequivocally that you are worthy. That you are desiring, and that dammit, you are going to be rewarded for your worth.

Often times in life a change will be made in business relationships when you reach the final straw. There will come a time when a situation will occur with a daycare family wherein you get so angry and resentful, feeling used and unappreciated that you tell yourself, "never, ever again". In these times anger is your friend. It propels you into action and is a strong motivator for change. Luckily for me, this moment came very early in my daycare career. And, being a type A personality it took only one incident before I learned that there will never be a parent who takes care of me. Judy must take care of Judy. Only Judy is responsible for the misgivings of others when they take advantage. We teach people how to treat us.

I wonder if that same park provider would find her eyes bulging out of her head if she knew that along with implementing that fee increase I also included some policy changes and a few stringent rules into my 2010 contracts? I'm pretty confident she would think my contract too strict and far too risky. I do not share her doubt. I know I am worth every penny. I would like to assume the parents of the children in my care share that sentiment as well. However, as always, there is my favourite word hollered out when a family does not wish to succumb to my worth. That word is "NEXT"!

If providers wait for someone else to find their worth for them they will die waiting. Financial opportunities will be missed and many headaches will be experienced. The wonderful fact is that every provider has the opportunity to dispel those self-limiting beliefs; that negative doubting Thomas that lives within our brains. My advice? Invite doubting Thomas to lunch and give him a bag to go. He is not worthy of your worth.

Now is an opportune time to think about you. Clear out those cobwebs of doubt that create obstacles to your path to success and fulfillment. Demand what you want. Demand what you deserve. Once you have realized your full potential open up your word processor and amend your contract. Hand out that contract to all your families with assertiveness and faith. You might be amazed what you will attract.

If the Little Engine can do it so can you. After all, isn't that the story you tell all the children in your care each and every day? Start walking the walk and talking the talk. In short, stop the hypocrisy. You too can do it!

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

Bad Mommies Need To Buck Up

While relaxing after a long, hard day's work I was surfing through the television channels in an attempt to find some programming that would pique my interest. As I rounded those one hundred level channels that include such paint drying equivalents as C-span and the French provincial parliament channel I happened upon channel two. In my city channel two is TVO. Anyone who lives in the province of Ontario is familiar with the dry, yet informative nature of TVO programming. It's great for information and compelling subjects of discussion but the entertainment value is non-existent. And unfortunately, the Agenda with Steve Paikin is not immune. Nonetheless, the topic of the day was of great interest so I fluffed up my pillows and laid back to enjoy the show.

The panel that night included a child psychotherapist, a columnist and stay-at-home-dad, and three ladies who all own blogs relating to parenting. In particular two of the panelists had blogs dedicated to being a "bad mom". On their blogs readers were welcome to contribute their bad parenting stories as a method of freeing themselves from the burden of guilt. As a parent I too could relate that we are far from perfect. We all make mistakes and hopefully learn from them so as not to repeat our errors. However, as the program progressed I was shocked and appalled at some of the confessions the blogs contained. And, worse yet, were the panelists defending the contributors past indiscretions in the name of a united front. Their arguments were that as long as we are trying to do our best we should not, in fact, feel like bad parents. Really? I beg to differ.

I suppose my objection to the entire notion of bad parenting being the norm was how it affects me as a daycare provider. Not only do I, as a provider often have to pick up the slack and make up for bad parenting on the part of those parents whose children I have in care I get the honour of the double-whammy. How often is it that daycare providers are poo-bahed and admonished for our perceived indiscretions? In fact, right here on this blog there are many comments pertaining to our accused inadequacies and faults with regard to the concern of the children for whom we get paid to care for. It became very clear as I watched that TVO program that there exists a double standard - and a big one at that. It seems there are quite a few people living in those proverbial glass houses throwing stones at their neighbourhood daycare provider.

Such admitted indiscretion on the panelists' blogs included:

• Not changing a child for six or more hours or until their diaper was nearly falling off it was so full of excrement
• Stealing money from their own children while blaming a sibling for the theft
• Lying to a child and telling them their birthday was in fact the next day because the parent had failed to buy a gift or prepare anything for the child whose birthday was in fact that very day
• Leaving children to watch television for the entire day so the mother could have "me" time
• Allowing children to eat chips and candy for breakfast because a parent was too lazy to bother to make a nutritious meal
• Leaving a sleeping child in a crib while the parent made a trip to the corner store

I think that most of these admitted acts is appalling in their own right, some more than others. But what strikes me as both bizarre and as a source of frustration is how most parents admittedly drop the ball but still find it appropriate to demean daycare providers.

I visit a number of parenting and daycare provider forums each day. And without fail every day I read a post either by a parent or about a parent being upset with a daycare provider for faults far less offensive than those above parents are admitting to. Getting upset because your child's face was dirty seems to be less important that a parent allowing their child to walk around in a six hour old dirty diaper or running to the corner store for coffee cream while leaving their toddler at home.

There always exists a double standard. Yes, I understand that in fact I get paid to ensure your child is not wearing a ten pound diaper and eating Doritos for lunch. But the fact that I receive payment is not my motivation for ensuring your child is well-fed and dry. No, it's call basic human decency toward another human being - a child nonetheless. Besides, as a parent I would think your love and affection for your progeny would trump financial retribution as a reason to properly care for your most precious gift. Apparently I am way off the mark holding that steadfast mentality.

When are parents going to cut us a break? When will be be viewed as simple human beings. Yes, we are pretty fantastic. Where else can you find a woman who can multi-task eating a sandwich while feeding a bottle and surfing a forum? But we are infallible just like everyone else. We might have our faults but in reality if the Bad Mommy Blog has any merit at all we are doing a stupendous job.

So, the next time a parent complains that Sally's hands are sticky at pick up I will be sure to point out the fact that Sally came in the dead of winter without a hat. Or how Sally could benefit from a sit down breakfast instead of Timbits in the car on the way to daycare. Yep, it's called tit for tat. I'll play the game any day. And in the mean time I'm sure as hell not going to beat myself up if Johnny waits five minutes to be changed because Suzy fell down and needs a cuddle. I do a good job; and I suspect far better that most parents.

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

And Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

I can just picture it now; a bunch of researchers sitting around a table, feet propped up, sipping Coca Cola, eating Cheetos and complaining about how bored they are. They talk about their lack luster lives and wonder why in hell they ever thought to become the explorers of every thing opinionated. Suddenly it dawns on them that there is yet another way to stir up some proverbial shit all the while demeaning the work of an entire segment of the population. Eureka! They have it - a study on daycare and television viewing. Apparently studying the prevalence of bad techniques by parents wasn't popular that day. But attacking daycare providers is always a sure fire success. Off they go, back packs over their shoulder to interview lowly daycare providers and larger than life commercial daycare centres.

The finding of this group of orange thumbed, Cheetos crunchers was the topic of media choice yesterday. Headlines hit screens and paper proclaiming that once again, the well known moniker of commercial daycare trumping home daycare was validated.

(The CBC news story)

According to the researchers 168 licensed child care programs were included in the study. Of those 168 licensed programs 70% of the children in home daycare watched television during care hours as opposed to only 36% in commercial care. The study goes on to further state the undeniable correlation between obesity and aggression in children with too much television viewing. I have to wonder where it is that they found these home daycare providers.

I know a lot of home daycare providers both in person and on-line and unless 99% of those providers are lying the study seems flawed in relation to the statistics presented. One must wonder if the flaws lie not in the data but in the parameters of truth. Most home daycare providers are truthful, unassuming people. They have little to hide and stand behind the excellent care they provide. And yes, even excellent care can include limited television viewing. In short, home daycare providers have nothing to lose by confessing their truths. Not so for commercial daycare.

Commercial daycare relies heavily on grants and bursaries. And one knows that whenever the government and its money is involved rules are applied. Commercial daycare centres in all provinces and states are mandated to have an approved and cookie cutter curriculum. And within that curriculum are allotted screen times. I can only assume then that commercial daycare centres, when asked about television viewing time would answer with the correct, guideline mandated time allotment. Commercial daycare is about money and large corporations seek only the bottom line. Corporations rarely muddy their perfect reputations intentionally.

The one line from the study commentary that stood out as most ridiculous was the following:

"The authors conclude that TV viewing in day care could double the total screen time for children when added to the time they spend in front of the tube at home."

Really? "Double the time they spend watching television at home"? If researches and parents are so up in arms about their child watching television at daycare why then are they watching so much at home? And, considering that a child spends an average of ten to eleven hours a day in daycare the scarce 1.6 hours, as cited by the study, of television viewing amounts to about 15% of the total time spent with the daycare provider. However, using those same statistics and the fact that the average child spends a mere four hours a day awake and at home those same viewing hours would amount to 40% of their total time at home. Perhaps the problem is not what is happening at daycare but what is happening at home. Parents get the small luxury of spending four waking hours a day with their child and the child spends nearly half of it watching television?

I understand that as daycare providers we are getting paid to stimulate and engage the children in our care. But a little bit of realism must accompany those expectations. We have five or more charges in our care at any one time. If being able to meet the demands of the day mean incorporating television during lunch preparation or keeping a child quiet at nap time to allow others to sleep then so be it. Home daycare providers are solo acts and every parent who signs on to care knows this going in. There are no surprises and none of us professes to be super heroes.

Television is not detrimental to children when used in a responsible and age appropriate manner. In fact, I conclude that television facilitates language and interaction. Anyone who has ever witnessed a three year old watch Dora The Explorer or Sesame Street can attest to the fact that they are engaging, educational programs that children love. Children, like adults desire to be entertained. Why not allow them that luxury?

Oh, and one last note. About that obesity statistic in relation to television viewing in daycare. Perhaps the researches need to visit my daycare and that of my colleagues and then take a short trip down the street to visit the commercial daycare center. There is no risk of obesity here. My kids are outside at least two hours a day. Place yourself outside of the commercial daycare and watch for the duration of one day. You will notice something - every child gets exactly two half hour periods of outdoor time. Of course, this is mandated by the government. So I can only assume they will return to their classroom to have their 0.1 hours of television time too. Yeah, 0.1 hours - that would be six minutes. I hardly think the staff is turning off the television after Dora just started. There would be mutiny.

Perhaps those researches need to go back to their tables, put their feet back up and start thinking who to pick on next. We are an easy target. Perhaps next time they could challenge themselves.

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

Flannel Feels Good

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

Bag Lady

The Environmental Protection Agency and Green Peace didn't think about me when they came up with their plans to save the planet. I am an environmental menace to society. Ah, sure, I eat green and organic but I too have my flaws. One can not blame me; it's somewhat of an occupational hazard that lays way to my earth UNfriendly behaviours.

Monday morning, still half asleep I pulled my excessively heavy and, no doubt, shit filled garbage cans to the curb for the friendly garbage man to pick and chose what it is he is willing to accept this week. I wish he would be more consistent. I'm starting to wonder if there is, in fact, any method at all to his madness. Last week my old crockpot was garbage worthy but the week before he apparently thought it had enough life left in it for a few more uses and conveniently left it on my curb alongside my empty can. He's a complex guy, that garbage man.

I tell you about my Monday morning garbage adventures because on Tuesday evening I found myself in the garage frantically searching for the red handled screw driver that always seems to grow legs and wander off when I noticed the copious amounts of Wal-mart, Metro and No Frills bags littering my garage floor. Now even if I had managed to visually miss the existence of those bags I dare say my nose would have alarmed me to their presence. Yes, there in those bags sat the remnants of some daycare child's butt. It was then that I realized I had a problem.

I have turned into a bag lady. I'm all for saving the planet and make our world a cleaner place but I will admit to a huge sigh of disappointment and slight panic at the announcement that a municipality in B.C. would no longer support plastic bag usage. I knew a little about waves of popular culture and immediately understood that very soon that wave would bowl me over like a newbie surfer on the ocean crests. You see, those thin plastic membranes used to hold groceries are my best friend. Where else was I going to contain ten pounds of poop and pee filled diapers each and every week? And let's face it - there is a need to encapsulate some of those diaper. The stench itself could create an environmental emergency of its own. I often wonder if astronauts ever look down and see a cloud of thick methane gas over my property.

My bag lady attributes come out every once in a while. There is a reason I love the self-serve check out at Wal-mart. Apart from the fact I get to self scan (and hey, let's face it. It's kind of fun to pretend to be a paid, full benefits, no responsibilities Wal-mart employee sometimes) I know going in that I can ensure a maximum number of bags to purchased items. Yes, I go into Wal-mart with a plan to cabbage poop bags. Pathetic.

Last week while Christmas shopping with my husband I found myself scolding him for shoving as many items as possible into one bag. What was he thinking? Was he blind? Could he not see all those poop bags sitting on the garage floor? Geesh, move over buddy and let me do the bagging.

But my ultimate horror came when my friendly neighbourhood grocery store decided to help it's bottom line under the guise of being environmentally conscious and they too started charging for bags. This was not good. Now I had to start paying for poop bags? I wondered quickly; if I got a receipt could I claim them on my taxes? I don't know about you but I go through a lot of poop bags and at five cents a piece that can ad up pretty quickly. But I'm not sure Canada Revenue Agency would understand.

Oh well, what's a provider to do? I guess I could just start tossing them all into the big old bin 'sans' plastic bag. Imagine the look on the garbage man's face then! I bet he would be much more inclined to take my crock pot though.

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

Movin' On Up

They say everything happens for a reason. I am a firm believer in that adage. Sometimes things happen unconsciously or by happenstance. Other times things happen because there was motivation to propel the change. Or other times still, someone gets so pissed off at the world they put down their foot and say "enough is enough".

A few months ago I had the fortune of resigning as a moderator on Canadian Parents Online. It seemed to those who operated the forum that my no-nonsense approach and brutal and uncensored honesty were too much for them to handle. The powers that be cowered like dogs being scolded when they read a reply given by me to another provider regarding an incident wherein the provider was being abusive to a child in her care. At the time of this incident I viewed the situation as unfortunate. I had the misguided notion that leaving a forum like CPO would no longer allow me to help other providers. How wrong I was. What I didn't realize at the time was how anger could be a very strong motivator.

Since the time of that incident I have had many opportunities to reflect on what it is I want in this world. I know what I want for myself, my family and for all children. For myself I want peace of mind and satisfaction. For my family I want health and happiness. And for all children I want an ingrained sense of self-worth and personal accomplishment. The next step in my time of self-reflection was to incorporate a plan into action to see my desires come to fruition. In short, it dawned on me that I wanted to start a movement.

The words 'starting a movement' sound like a cliche from a bad movie. I can not, however, think of a more fitting term. I wanted to start a movement that incorporates what I know, what I do, and who I am, to encourage and support others to do the same. So, I got to work and took the first step.

Over the past few weeks I have been diligently working on a website. This is a monumental task for me as I am far from the web-savvy computer geek you might find feverishly typing in HTML and BBC code. But, as they say, if you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it work. And I did.

Last week I launched the forum area of the Daycare Provider Connection. For those of you who have not yet registered and joined our fantastic community of providers you may do so here - DCPC. I am currently completing the other areas which will incorporate this blog and an information, or, introductory page. The last area of the site will be a coaching area. I plan to launch opportunities for coaching pertaining to the business side of daycare in January 2010. Coaching will be inexpensive and informative. It is my desire that all daycare providers be business women first and foremost. Never again should a provider find herself stiffed for payment or spoken to in a belligerent manner from a parent. Never again.

I am starting a movement. No longer is it acceptable to me to find daycare providers who are underpaid and disrespected. It is no longer acceptable to me for providers to worry how they are going to pay their bills while delinquent parents drive brand new SUV's. No more.

Perhaps my movement will consist of one person - me. I'm okay with that. I am a firm believer in the power of one. ONE person can change the world. I do hope, however, that others will join me. I hope that we can collectively put our feet down and demand more; demand what we are worth and deserve.

The movement starts now. The only question that remains is; will this be a movement of one or of many?





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

'One Piece' Of Advice

Autumn didn't last long - at least not where I live. As I sat sipping my coffee during nap time yesterday I looked out the window to see the fluffy white stuff falling from the sky. I'm not really sure what was more horrific; the sight of snow in November (albeit better than last year when it made its appearance a month earlier) or the nightmares my mind played back to me as nostalgia of past winters came into view.

There was a time that each and every day I did a school run, seven kids in tow. School runs are the bane of existence of any daycare provider who is forced to load up five or more children and get them all to a specific destination on someone else's schedule. Let's be honest. School runs are hell.

I always tried my best to simplify the process as much as possible. I would warm up my van ahead of time in an attempt to save the donning of as many hats, mitts, and boots as possible. My thought process was that if I was taking a child from house to van from the confines of my garage then fewer clothing items were necessary. And this ideal does work as long as daycare parents don't have notions of their own.

It would never fail. Sometime during the winter, often after Christmas, some child would arrive with the most detested daycare piece of clothing imaginable - the one piece snowsuit. Of course, we can all assume that no parent in their right mind would purchase such a monstrosity. Surely this was the work of an evil, ill-intentioned grandma. Better yet was the fact that knowing the child had another winter coat you could deduce that the snowsuit was only used for daycare purposes. No mother with any sense at all would ever take the twenty minutes needed to shove the child into the suit when she could whip on his coat in a fraction of the time. No, the one piece was a special treat just for me. How lovely.

When a child has a one piece snow suit is imperative to dress him last. I would not want to bear the responsibility for his dehydration as a result of his twenty degree rise in body temperature while he waits for all his friends to dress. Of course, he will be the first child loaded into the car as it allows you to make a better estimate of the remaining time left to get to school once you are done with him. Putting a snowsuit clad sausage child into a car seat is nearly impossible. Having lost the ability to bend the child sits in the seat like a piece of lumber propped up against a wall. With the best of my abilities I buckle the belt and hope for the best. God forbid we hit a bump; he was bound to shatter into two pieces. Well, at least then the stupid one piece would no longer be an issue.

While we're on the topic of ridiculous kids fashions; who comes up with these ideas for footwear anyway? It never fails. There is always one little girl whose parents care more about fashion than comfort or practicality. In the door she arrives with knee high lace up boots I would liken to those worn by a dominatrix. Do shoe manufactures really think that four feet of laces in a two year old's boots is a good idea? Who, exactly do they think is going to deal with those laces? Oh, crazy me, the designer probably has a daycare provider too. What was I thinking? And you all know that the dominatrix boot clad child has a parent who, when wearing those boots, says good bye at the door and does not even attempt to remove the footwear and put it on the mat. Nope, no time for that. Must get to work. Well then, "come on over Vixen, oops, I mean Vivian, and Miss Judy will take those off for you.". Geesh people.

Winter can be great. I love the crisp air and the silence winter brings with it. In fact, there are times when the noise in here gets a little too much and I will slip on my garage shoes and step outside for a moment of peace and a breath of fresh air. And then I go back in to put on ten mittens, five hats, eight boots, two items of dominatrix wear, four coats and one one piece snow suit. By the time I'm done I hardly need a coat myself I am so hot and sweaty. Wait, that's not my sweat I smell. Oh, crap, someone pooped. Goody for me. It's the kid in the one piece. Sigh. Here we go again.

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

Knowledge Is Power

Today I will forgo the usual blog and ask for your participation.

With the end of the year creeping up on us there is much talk about 2010 contracts. We are all knowledgeable of the usual and customary inclusions such as payment regardless of attendance, illness and payment policies. However, every once in a while I will come across another provider who has thought of something to include in her contract that could be quite helpful to others.

Nothing is worse than typing up your pretty contract, printing it out, handing it to parents, filing away the signed papers and then 'BAM', a situation comes up that should have been addressed in the contract. You silently curse yourself for lacking foresight and pay the price.

Last year when amending my 2009 contracts I decided to add a vaccination policy. In my care every parent has a contractual obligation to keep a child home for 48 hours after receiving a vaccination. I did not have a crystal ball in November of 2009 that forecasted a flurry of H1N1 hysteria but I'm glad that something inside me urged me to add this policy. For the past week not a day has come and gone wherein I have been full with children. Every parent has kept a child home after receiving their H1N1 vaccination. My contract amendment proved to be beneficial this morning when I was informed, by one daycare parent that after receiving their H1N1 vaccine, the child slept for 15 hours, and feverish, the previous night. Had I not had the foresight to include this policy I wonder if that child might have attended care. If my past experience is any predictor of future experience I can honestly say that, yes, I would have been sure to have at least one child in care feeling lousy as a reaction to their vaccination.

As daycare providers and business women our contracts must reflect our values and our desires to operate in the manner which benefits us most. Contracts are as individual as the provider to whom it belongs. Daycare providers are smart, savvy people and sharing our knowledge is paramount to the success of the profession in its entirety.. The more we all know, the more we grow. Knowledge is power.

Please share with everyone those aspects of your contract that are different or worthy of noting. Perhaps a colleague will stumble upon a new idea that will benefit their business.

Thank you to everyone in advance. Happy reading! Now get out there and start typing.




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

Find Your Niche

Business is hard. It's a fact that if you are self employed you have a much higher chance of not earning enough income to sustain your lifestyle. Daycare providers definitely fall into the lowest earning category of the self-employed. We are forced to maximize our provincial or state occupancy limits in an attempt to hold our heads above water. In the current climate of lay offs, employment insurance ending for spouses, and rising costs of everything from the beans to our morning coffee and the bread we toast many providers find their income is becoming an important component of the household earnings.

Daycare providers everywhere are struggling. Some of us have been fortunate to remain full but only by chance. In reality we are all two terminations away from financial disaster. We no longer have the luxury of being quite as picky with whom we accept into care. For some of us it comes down to listening to screamer boy for the eighth straight week or not pay the mortgage - not really a choice at all.

On-line classifieds everywhere are flooded with daycare provider advertisements. A great many of these advertisers are 'recession providers'. All these financial opportunists aside, it seems one of every two long term, serious providers has an opening they can not fill. If you take a moment to browse through your local Kijiji ads you will notice that they are plentiful and all share a common theme. Perhaps it's time to become crafty, unordinary, and exceptional.

Daycare is very much a niche market. Whether you want to admit it or not you, as an individual provider, offers a niche. There is something about you, your credentials, your set up or your philosophy that make parents chose you over all of the other providers. The proof lies in the children you have in care today. Every one of those children has a parent; a parent who chose you instead of the provider down the street. There is something about you that was preferable to the parent. Find that something and use it to your advantage.

I have a niche and I use it well. As a food Nazi I take my uptight stance on all things junk food and use it to my advantage. I serve an all organic menu. I offer a toxin-free environment. All of these specifics make me special; they set me apart from other providers. When I type out my classified ads I emphasis my menu and my lifestyle philosophy with the hope of attracting like-minded individual. My ad also includes free, downloaded graphics pertaining to my niche that are bold and apt to catch the eye of anyone scrolling through the myriad of ads presented to them.

Everyone has a niche. The key is to figure out what it is and tap into it. Perhaps you have a professional certification. Maybe you have longer hours or accommodate shift workers. Like me, perhaps you serve all organics. Whatever is special about you take it, tweak it and market it. You might be surprised at the response.

I haven't always used my niche as a marketing tool. It is only recently, in the past year that I have strived to only attract like-minded families. The results of niche marketing are amazing. There is a big difference between my relationship with those families I have accepted into care in the last year and those who are still lingering around from a few years back. My most recent additions share my philosophy on the important aspects of life - nutrition and academics. I no longer accept parents who want me to shove kid-friendly hot dogs and academics down their childrens' throats. Instead, they are happy to know their child was served peas and asked to eat those peas. They are happy to know their child explored and played and found answers to questions when they thought those answers to be important. None of the newbie parents ask me "what did they do today?". The new parents are happy. They share common expectations and I meet those expectations with joy and gratitude at being able to do so.

Yes, niche marketing works. Today, while browsing Kijiji I noticed another daycare provider using my niche to her advantage. And to think I was naive enough to assume exclusivity. What a fool I am. Perhaps this new provider is observant and knows my success with this niche secret. Whatever her reason I know one thing for sure - I must now revamp my ad as I have competition.





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

Thanks Leaves With Thanksgiving

Thank You. Two simple words. Is it so hard to use those two words? Is it too time consuming? Are they too difficult? Thank You. I'll even settle for 'thanks'.

Last week all the daycare children were excited about Halloween. They talked about their costumes and the fantasies attached to their special persona for one night. We made special Halloween cupcakes, sang the Monster Mash, ate orange macaroni and black beans. We had a blast at our daycare party. At the end of the day I handed out special treat bags to each child and wished them a safe and happy Halloween.

Treat bags are an item I put together for every holiday. The last care day before Easter, Valentine's, and Halloween you will find, sitting on my front hall table, five little bags, all labelled ready to hand out to each child. The items contained within the bags vary from year to year. There are a few standard items such as Play-doh and crayons and candy treats that are always included. In addition to those items on any given occasion the bags might also include everything from socks to balls. I even go so far as to personalize each and every bag so that the child's favourite colour or theme character might be included.

Every Christmas and for each child's birthday I go out of my way to ensure that a special gift has been purchased and lovingly wrapped with them in mind. I browse aisles and catalogues searching for that one special item I think the individual child will enjoy. I spend much time and money and a lot of consideration in making this gift giving opportunity special. And watching the child's eyes light up when you hand over the big wrapped box is moment worth all of the work.

I go out of my way to ensure that each child's holidays, whether it be the meager Halloween or the mystery of Christmas are special and joyful. But as the years pass I will admit that much of the fun diminishes a little bit more.

It astounds me that we now live in a time wherein basic manners such as extending thanks to someone are no longer deemed necessary. In the past year I have not once received a thank you from a daycare parent for a gift bestowed upon their child. One would assume that two words that could be spoken in less than a second would be at the forefront of a parent's mind the moment they see you again after having opened the gift. Once again my assumptions are wrong as not one parent thanked me for having given their child a Halloween loot bag.

What are we, as parents, teaching our kids if we can not instill even the most basic of societal etiquette? Do we really want our children to be spared being polite and instead feel entitled? Can we not take two minutes out of our day a few times a year to create a homemade card of construction paper and crayons? Can we not utter a few simple words that in and of themselves are just letters stringed together by the giver but a warming of the heart of the receiver? Perhaps I am naive or too emotional.

I am not they type of person who seeks validation or recognition. I could care less what others opinions are of me. But I do feel hurt by a parent who does not have the fortitude to look past their self-serving, arrogant, interests and notice me. Yes, hi there, I am the person who, when you are not there, is most instrumental in your child's life. I am the person who saw your child's first steps but had enough empathy for you as a parent to keep it to myself and allow you to announce her new milestone. I am the person who kisses your child's scraped knee while you sit in a boardroom. And I am the person who ensures that your child has a birthday party on his special day when he is here with me instead of you. For that alone, and all gifts aside, do I not deserve thanks?

I often wonder what would happen if I stopped putting forth the effort of gifting children. Would the parents even notice? I wonder. Unfortunately I do not have that luxury. Teaching the parents a lesson in entitlement comes at the expense of the children. Quite frankly I am not willing to be the bad guy yet again.

For now I will relish in the fact that I do make a difference. Ever gift I give will be noticed by the child. Perhaps the parents will overlook my efforts. Somethings never change. For now all thanks extended to me will come from the wide eyed looks of excitement from the children. For now, that will have to suffice.






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