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Frequently Asked Questions & their answers:
JUST WHAT IS FAMILY/CHILD DAY
CARE? It is home-style care for your child,
but in my home. "OK, I get it! You're a babysitter!" Well....the British term "child-minder"
is really a much more accurate description of what I do: I keep very busy minding everyone's basic
daily needs which includes LOTS of loving & nurturing and chasing little ones around (who has time
to "sit"?!). We laugh & play together indoors and out. TV is limited to Baby Einstein, Dora,
Blue, and PBS. And we eat family style in a normal family atmosphere. So you see, Family Day Care really IS home-style
care, just the way you would give it. HOW DOES DAY CARE WORK? ARE YOU MY EMPLOYEE OR AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR?
I am definitely independent!!
In general, Daycare has a 'co-op'-like principle in that I am not exclusive or
on personal stand-by to any one parent. The easiest way to explain is I have a base salary of $X per week and I depend on
it just like you do your weekly paycheck. The difference is this amount is not paid by one source (like your employer) --
rather it is split up between all the parents who share my services. By sharing services and splitting the cost, everyone
benefits!
WHY
SHOULD I CHOOSE DAY CARE OVER A LARGE CENTER?
One of the major benefits family day care offers that center-based
care simply cannot is that mom/family setting. A home atmosphere fosters an overall feeling of satisfaction, contentment &
security. Homes are comfy and cozy, never cafeteria-style or institutional-feeling. At home, children get nurtured the way
they should be, and deserve.
Small groups are less stressful to children. In them, children can foster closer social
bonds and get closer attention to even their smallest details.
And Family Day Care is just as safe, if not safer! than
a Center. Licensed providers must adhere to County, State and sometimes Federal, guidelines. Personally, I am regularly visited
by DSS/Licensing, the Food Program, DCFS, & CCRC.
Health is another reason to choose FDC. Parents know that the
fewer people their child is exposed to--the less likely they are to become ill. ESPECIALLY DURING FLU SEASON!! Center-based
care may offer separate rooms for different age groups, but the fact remains that large numbers of people (children, parents,
employees & visitors) walk through a center's doors--often over 100 people each day.
Finally, in centers children
are passed hand-to-hand during the day. They don't allow their staff to work overtime, so generally three (3!) part time
shifts are used on a normal business day. In contrast, your provider runs her business from her home, so the caregiving remains
constant --a vital component in developing bonds and attachment for a secure, happy child.
WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS GROUP OR THE PRIMARY AGES YOU ACCEPT?
I primarily
care for the 0 to 3 age group for full-time Care, but older kids are welcome
for morning play-group or drop-ins. After-schoolers must have their own transportation.
DO YOU DO SCHOOL-AGE DROP-OFFS & PICK-UPS? Sorry, no. It just way too hard with infants.
YOU DON'T "DO" PRE-SCHOOL, SO WON'T MY CHILD LEARN MORE IN A CENTER?
Here's what the experts say: "Play is an expression
of our creativity, and creativity is at the VERY ROOT of our ability to learn, to cope, and to become whatever we may be.”
–Fred Rogers, of PBS’s “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” “Play is the ‘primary occupation’ of a child”
– renown educators Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget
* Pretend play allows kids to develop and test their ideas about the world and modify them as they go along. * Play provides children with a way to work out emotional
conflicts in creative ways. * Play
offers a miniature world within which they can learn about social interactions and interpersonal relationships. * Finally, not
having a formal program does NOT mean that we don't "do" our colors, numbers & ABC's!
We simply sneak them into our activities when the kids aren't looking!! (kinda
like veggies & liver)
ARE YOU ACCREDITED? No, I am not. NAEYC accreditation can only
be achieved by those that serve 10 or more children -- I much prefer the small group environment (my license
is for 8). I am however a NAEYC association member and have adapted many of their general
policies to my program.
I'M HAVING A HARD TIME RECONCILING WITH THE FACT THAT YOU'RE HOME ALL
DAY...
Home is a pretty important place to be. Even the State of California thinks it's pretty important
for kids to be home! Consider this quote from the Health & Safety Code 1597.40... "(a) It is the intent of the
Legislature that family day care homes for children must be situated in normal residential surroundings so as to give children
the home environment which is conducive to healthy and safe development. It is the public policy of this state to provide
children...the same home environment as provided in a traditional home setting." (text style edited for emphasis).
WHY DO I HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT?
ALL money exchanges
and transfers of important/valuable goods require a clear understanding of the transaction taking place. Think about
it--Just getting your car tires rotated requires a service agreement!! So why not Child Care--aren't children
valuable goods? And we both have certain responsibilities & obligations to them. So it is simply good
business sense and responsible parenting to spell out the costs, limits, terms & conditions of
their Care (i.e. your and my responsibilities, State & local laws, etc.)
I WORK AS A NURSE "ON-CALL"-- DO YOU TAKE WALK-INS?
(OR: DROP-INS?) That's something we can discuss at
our interview and I will definitely work with you as best I can. In a nutshell--walking-in (without an appointment) is a no,
call-ahead Care YES, with the understanding that all Care is given as time/space
permit. All it takes is a phone call in advance--if I have the room/time open, we can book
it! WHY DO YOU WANT A SCHEDULE OR APPOINTMENT?
Basically it's
a capacity issue--with so many kids to keep track of, I MUST know in advance who will or won't be here
on which days and at what time --otherwise there is no way I can adequately plan & prepare
for the day OR properly meet your child's needs. That's why Licensing has
such strict regulations! Finally It allows me to give you as best & personal a service
as possible while maintaining good time & money management (thru minimized food waste & unnecessary
supply purchases) not to mention my sanity!
CAN I POP-IN WHEN I NEED TO (OR: AT DIFFERENT TIMES?)
To visit your child while he's in my
Care, SURE! In fact you have the legal right to. Just remember that we have a routine to protect and that all Care
is by appointment or pre-schedule only. (I hate to keep stressing that but it is vital to our program AND Licensed capacity
compliance)
I DON'T NEED REGULAR CARE, MY KIDS ARE ON A TRACKING (OR CUSTODY/VISITATION) SCHEDULE.
HOW DOES THAT WORK?
I have no problem with occasional or temporary Care -- single days, weeks or months are fine
with me. In most instances, a simple phone call ahead of time to ask if I have openings on XYZ days is
all it takes!! (Ya still gotta do the paperwork tho', sorry--no getting around that!!) Be assured I WILL accommodate you,
if I can. I'M A TEACHER. HOW DO YOU HANDLE SUMMER
VACATION/SCHOOL BREAKS? That usually involves several weeks off.
To hold a spot for such long periods of time, I charge 50% of the regular weekly fee. If you decide you need to bring your
child once or twice during your "off" time, you would simply pay the difference for the time he/she is in attendance.
DO YOU ACCEPT SPECIAL-NEEDS KIDS? As
much as I am able to. My experience has been with asthmatics, some speech-and developmental-delays, special diets, and
mild ADHD. I am happy to work with physical conditions, but I will not accept willful behavior or attitude problems. WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU SPEAK? English, but I do have some experience butchering the Spanish and German languages.
Just give me a list of words you use at home and I will do my best to incorporate them here. DO YOU ACCEPT SICK CHILDREN?
No, I am not allowed to --
Family Child Care licenses are issued only for non-medical, well-child care. Licensing is very clear on the fact
that this is a family day care home and not a clinic-- in fact during their inspections,
they actually check the health of all children present in addition to the safety of my facility! Illness exclusion and
return criteria are listed in your Handbook. ** 10/07**
DIRECT FROM LICENSING--HERE'S THE FINAL WORD ON SICK-CARE: The California Health and Safety
Code (HSC), is the law upon which all of the Title 22 Child Care Regulations are based. HSC Section 1596.750 defines child
care facilities as facilities that provide non-medical care to children under the age of 18. Allowing a licensed child care
provider to provide medical services...would be a violation of the HSC, as well as The Business and Professions Code (B&PC),
which governs the Medical Practices Act and the Board of Registered Nursing.
WILL YOU CHARGE FOR MY CHILD'S ABSENCES?
Yes,
because I fulfilled my commitment to you: I will have specifically set aside the designated time & reserved a roster position
just for you, to the point of turning others away. It's like your
car payment or mortgage - you still have to make a payment even if you spend 2 weeks in
Hawaii.
Also, I will have shopped and otherwise
prepared behind the scenes to receive your child --that's space, time & preparation which cannot be returned, re-sold,
or filled by the next person in line.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE SICK OR OTHERWISE CAN'T WORK?
I usually plan
my personal time for a Friday and/or Monday (only twice have I taken a full week) and I
always post my intentions well in advance. In the event I should become too sick to work or need emergency time
off, I will notify you ASAP, so you can put your back-up plan in motion. Note: All of
my parents are required to have a back-up plan at all times, ie: another provider. a family member or
you may choose to stay home too. Be assured your fee will be adjusted for my sick/ personal days (but
recognized Holidays or parent/child sick or personal days are not included in this exception).
WHAT ABOUT YOUR BACK-UP? WHY DOESN'T SHE STEP UP WHEN YOU'RE OFF?
I don't keep an
outside back-up person on retainer because it's simply not cost effective. Also, Licensing considers the choice
of caregiver to be a PARENT CHOICE & RESPONSIBILITY issue. What I can do is refer you to different people
for you to interview in advance but ultimately, all arrangements are your responsibility. BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS! Over the last 20 years, I've caught cooties bad enough
to have to stay in bed only two dozen times. And every time I called & let everyone know ASAP and they all
were able to put their back-up plans in motion without a hitch, and I adjusted their fee the following week. WHY DOES DAY CARE COST SO MUCH? WHAT EXPENSES COULD YOU REALLY POSSIBLY HAVE?
Nothin'
about kids is cheap, is it?! (~grin~) Please rest assured I am setting the best price possible.
Here's a partial peek at what affects your cost...
** I actually work 11 to 15 hours a day including
actual Care time, cleanup, paperwork & maintenance.
** I give quality Care, not quantity--I don't pack my house
full or go over my limit. I plan specifically according to the number of children enrolled & their contracted hours. I'm
here, I'm ready, & I'm waiting.
** With a few exceptions, my personal life is juggled around the day care
schedule, not vice versa.
** There are SO many categories of expenses to keeping a safe, clean, compliant
home, serving a well balanced menu, keeping children busy & meeting their needs such as:
... diapers, wipes, powder, general utilities, food, field trips, toys, books & games, craft supplies, office
supplies, advertising, license compliance & training, car gas & maintenance, cleaning supplies & paper goods,
general property safety maintenance and repair or improvements (ie we upgraded the playroom & patio surface in 2004,
expanded parking in 2008, etc). Finally,
BEFORE YOU SAY IT---Yes, Providers do receive tax incentives toward
business expenses, but likewise, parents also receive tax breaks for having their children in daycare...
WHY AREN'T YOUR RATES POSTED? Rates are given at our interview as they are determined by the days and hours of care needed. Be
assured I set them as fairly as possible and they are within the averages of the State RMR (regional market rate).
IF I PAY IN
CASH, WILL I GET A RECEIPT OR IS IT UNDER THE TABLE? This
is legit business and I treat it as such in ALL aspects. I do however prefer, and appreciate cold-hard cash!! My policy is
that every contracted parent gets a receipt for all payments, cash OR check.They specify the date, amount, and Care period.
In addition, you will get a tax statement at the end of the year.
DO YOU OFFER ANY DISCOUNTS? I
give a discount to active military/fire/sheriff personnel & wounded warriors only -- I figure if you put your life on the line for me, this is the least I can
do to thank you. (RIP Spc Matthew Ramsey, d. 2010 Afghanistan) WHAT
IS 'CCRC'? That's the Child Care Resource
Center, the primary administrator for CalWORKS, GAIN, TANF, Federal Stage II and III, and Family Child Care Network assistance
programs in this area. SUPER NICE PEOPLE!! They also have a public toy-lending library and free public referrals to local
licensed providers. You can learn more about them at: www.ccrcla.org DO YOU REALLY PROVIDE DIAPERS?!...
Yes I do.
It is SO much easier for me to have all supplies here at my fingertips when I need them rather than rifle thru umpteen
diaper bags fifty times a day! Of course you must understand that I use generic disposable diapers/wipes &
buy in bulk to keep costs down AND FORMULA, BOTTLES, ETC?!!...
Yup!... The Food Program requires me to offer a house formula --
of course you can opt out if you prefer to supply your own brand or breastmilk. And again, it's easier for me to be stocked
with all necessary supplies ready at my fingertips. IF
YOU SUPPLY IT ALL, WHAT DO I BRING? You
provide the check, the child, and change of clothes-- which you can even leave here til it's needed... no need
to pack or shlep a clunky diaper bag every day. Is that too cool, or what!?
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON MEALS?
Everything
is served on a set timetable, serving and cut-off times are listed in your Handbook -- children due to arrive after a scheduled
meal OR who choose not to eat, must eat before they arrive or wait until our next scheduled serving. The only exception is
bottle-fed infants-- they are served on demand. Be aware that
meals/snacks served in this facility, whether prepared from scratch or pre-packaged, may contain traces of eggs, soy,
nuts, and/or milk. I do use jarred baby food that is salt, preservative & food-color free.
Finally, I
really prefer that NO perishable outside food be brought in UNLESS! your child is on a medical diet OR in the case of store
bought donuts or McDonald's, you will need to bring enough for everyone. THOSE RULES ARE KIND OF 'ANAL' AREN'T THEY?
It's true, someone really asked me
this question! 1) I am NOT being 'anal retentive' --- I am a member of
the Federal CACFP (Child And Adult Care Food Program) and I am just doing my job by following their schedules &
policies. THEY require
that I serve certain components in certain quantities at certain times. In return I get a stipend which helps provide healthy
food and keep your tuition fees reasonable. Also, I am required to have training in safe food
handling & preparation practices--by keeping all perishable food under my control, their temperature, freshness &
quality are assured.
2) Basically
we all have to pick our battles--I am a Caregiver, not short-order cook so I choose not to fight over food. The FP requires me to submit daily menus and get site visits, so I plan it out all in
advance and serve everyone the same thing. Finally, I cannot offer a fully rounded program, AND meet daily school, nap and other schedules if I am always preparing
something to eat or cleaning up after a meal! ... a) CACFP guidelines say at
least 3 hours must pass between breakfast & lunch, or 4 hours if snack is served. It is YOUR choice & responsibility
to make sure your child is here at the correct time if you want me to feed him/her.
I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROGRAM--TELL
ME MORE...
The CACFP is a Federal Child Nutrition program that is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) under the National School Lunch Act, and is administered thru several State sources. Their goal is to educate &
encourage healthy eating habits and ensure all kids in school or day care eat regularly and healthfully.
Certain
CCRC programs require me to participate in the CACFP as part of my contract. If I don't follow
CACFP rules, I am dropped as an approved subsidized-Care Provider.
In our training we are taught irregular or inconsistent
meals can be a Negligence issue -- by offering and following the CACFP, I am fully compliant in that area. In fact my meals always
exceed minimum Federal standards!!! ***Please know that by law, children are
NOT required to eat everything on their plates, the food is simply made available for them and they are encouraged to at least
taste everything. What your child ultimately eats or doesn't eat is up to him or her. Your help in this area is
appreciated because sadly, a lot of it gets thrown away... You can learn more at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/childcare/
. WHEN
SHOULD I START POTTY TRAINING? Potty training
should be done once your child is off the bottle, wakes up dry from naps,
can pull his own pants up & down, has reasonable pee & poo holding
control, AND can express
his need to go before it’s too late—This generally
happens at about 30 months of age.
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON POTTY-TRAINING? I am more than happy to help PT but my policy
is that you have to work hard on it at home too or I will not work with him
here. Why? Because home is comfort & security for him, and focusing on toilet
training in a group environment only or alone can make a child frustrated, confused, & even experience anxiety, thereby
sabotaging all his efforts. A note from personal experience -- If done at the right time, you can knock it
out over a long holiday weekend! See www.3daypottytraining.com Past parents have LOVED this
program!! * * * End of FAQ's
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