Originally Posted by Willow:
It wouldn't matter if it was legal or not, charging a sicker child's parents a higher rate wouldn't sit right with me.
It's not their fault she's sick, and the price their child pays in life enduring her illness is infinitely high enough.
I'm sorry but IMHO you need to suck it up. Some kids need almost no care at all, they are smart and play well, are well behaved, eat well, clean up after themselves...then there are those who need loads of extra supervision because they can't play independently, are into and onto everything, are picky or messy eaters and buck clean up every single time. There are also those with long hair that need tending to throughout the day. Those who wear glasses or hearing aids that need special attention. Those with eczema that need creams put on daily. Those with allergies who need medications administered and reactions monitored etc. etc. etc.
If you start nit picky charging for everything that adds a bit more to your plate you better start doing that for all AND be willing to discount the parents of the easy streeters to boot.
DHS in MN has instituted DOC rates for special needs kids in foster care. Is that what you're talking about? Children that become wards of the state are assessed, given a number and that number corresponds with a reimbursement rate beyond the regular daily rate. Sure, if I've got a drug addicted detoxing newborn who doesn't sleep but two hours a day, needs to eat a specially prepared formula every one to two hours, baths several times a day to keep their bottom clear of the feces that literally burn their skin, doctors appointments several times a week and specialists coming into my home almost daily then that child will have a higher DOC number and I'll be reimbursed for the "extra" care I need to provide.
Not that it's necessary, I certainly didn't need or expect to make more money off the backs of sicker kids as opposed to healthy ones.
I don't know how that would relate to daycare though. Unless perhaps that child's rates are paid via county assistance?
K-12 teachers don't make more for kids in their classes that are more "difficult" to teach or handle. I'm not sure why preschool teachers should be able to.
When you talk about "giving" a wage increase to the next teacher just because she was a bit more work for you....frankly, I'd sue if I was the girl's parents and I was ever presented such a notion.
You don't know me or the way I run my business. I cater to and pamper each and every one of my families. I
ALWAYS go the extra mile. I have watched children for free, I have given huge discounts when parents are going through tough times, I've never charged a late fee, and I will stay open for a parent who is running late with a smile on my face. I give gifts throughout the year to the children, their parents, and even a few grandparents. I hold baby showers for expectant mothers, I feed parents if they happen to be here during meal time, and I buy shoes, coats, and gloves for children that don't have them. Oh, and when this little girl was diagnosed, I spent hours upon hours of my OWN time meeting with her parents on Saturday(s) to learn to care for her.
Do NOT make me out to be a greedy, uncaring person. I am the furthest thing from that. I love this little girl, but she is the work of two children. She is moving to a different class and I feel it's fair to compensate her new teacher for the extra work she has in store - on top of her regular duties. Oh, and this family is doing well. One is a teacher and the other is a pharmacist. I do believe they can afford an extra 25 cents per hour.