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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Is it unprofessional to
Unregistered 08:26 AM 12-06-2014
I want your opinions on this, I close at 6 I had one daycare boy left 23 months old I notice it's 6 so I turned the tv on to watch the news daycare mom came and picked up daycare boy.! The next day she mentions it to me about watching the news and not entertaining dcb. It's not my fault she left him there until the second I close. It was six I wanted to watch the news. I don't think it was out of line to watch the 6 o'clock news I close at six. I don't feel the need to entertain her kid until the last minute of the day. Do you think it was unprofessional of me???
Josiegirl 08:30 AM 12-06-2014
Not unprofessional per se but it's probably not something I would have done. Dcb was still in your care and if he was right there with the tv on, sometimes news can be pretty violent.
JMO
JMO
nannyde 08:48 AM 12-06-2014
I don't entertain kids. They play toys.
Laurel 08:57 AM 12-06-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I want your opinions on this, I close at 6 I had one daycare boy left 23 months old I notice it's 6 so I turned the tv on to watch the news daycare mom came and picked up daycare boy.! The next day she mentions it to me about watching the news and not entertaining dcb. It's not my fault she left him there until the second I close. It was six I wanted to watch the news. I don't think it was out of line to watch the 6 o'clock news I close at six. I don't feel the need to entertain her kid until the last minute of the day. Do you think it was unprofessional of me???
She shouldn't have said anything. I would have said "Really? Everyone should be here by 6 when the news starts so I don't worry about a minute or two."I want your opinions on this, I close at 6 I had one daycare boy left 23 months old I notice it's 6 so I turned the tv on to watch the news daycare mom came and picked up daycare boy.! The next day she mentions it to me about watching the news and not entertaining dcb. It's not my fault she left him there until the second I close. It was six I wanted to watch the news. I don't think it was out of line to watch the 6 o'clock news I close at six. I don't feel the need to entertain her kid until the last minute of the day. Do you think it was unprofessional of me???
She'll get over it. Geez.
Laurel
lovemykidstoo 10:35 AM 12-06-2014
Definately I would tell her that the news starts at 6:00 and her kid is supposed to be gone by 6:00, so if she doesn't want him to see it to PICK UP ON TIME!
sugar buzz 10:41 AM 12-06-2014
I close at 5:30. If you're still here at 5:30, you get to go get the mail with me, help me bring the trash cans in, watch me start dinner, listen to me help my own kids with homework, etc. My next life starts at 5:30, unapologetically, and I want them to observe this. If I didn't make it awkward, they'd never leave!
midaycare 10:43 AM 12-06-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
Not unprofessional per se but it's probably not something I would have done. Dcb was still in your care and if he was right there with the tv on, sometimes news can be pretty violent.
JMO
Not unprofessional per se but it's probably not something I would have done. Dcb was still in your care and if he was right there with the tv on, sometimes news can be pretty violent.
JMO
The news can be pretty graphic, trying to get ratings and all. "Stabbing in downtown wherever, was it murder for hire? We have the latest update in 15. Armed robbery at the local gas station, more news next hour." I have a parent who was late a few times, and I just start cleaning. I sat dcg down with some books and I started cleaning and vacuuming. It was 6:15 by pickup time.
SquirrellyMama 11:21 AM 12-06-2014
I'd wait until 6:01pm to turn on the news. At that point you are officially closed and they are late.
Kelly
Kelly
Thriftylady 12:12 PM 12-06-2014
Originally Posted by SquirrellyMama:
I'd wait until 6:01pm to turn on the news. At that point you are officially closed and they are late.
Kelly
This, and I would tell her that she was late, so she was the one not entertaining him. I don't get why so many parents want their kids "entertained" constantly though I mean learning independent play is important.I'd wait until 6:01pm to turn on the news. At that point you are officially closed and they are late.
Kelly
daycarediva 02:21 PM 12-06-2014
Originally Posted by sugar buzz:
I close at 5:30. If you're still here at 5:30, you get to go get the mail with me, help me bring the trash cans in, watch me start dinner, listen to me help my own kids with homework, etc. My next life starts at 5:30, unapologetically, and I want them to observe this. If I didn't make it awkward, they'd never leave!
I start clean up at 5. Closed no later than 5:30. The kids help if they're still in care. I close at 5:30. If you're still here at 5:30, you get to go get the mail with me, help me bring the trash cans in, watch me start dinner, listen to me help my own kids with homework, etc. My next life starts at 5:30, unapologetically, and I want them to observe this. If I didn't make it awkward, they'd never leave!
I don't watch tv though.
sally 02:39 PM 12-06-2014
If I have kids here still at 5 I watch the news. They have books to look at while waiting for parents, coloring books and crayons, and a few small toys. I close at 5 and anything after is my time to do my own things while the kids can keep themselves busy waiting for pickup.
Cradle2crayons 04:48 PM 12-06-2014
When I'm closed... It's my time not theirs. If they don't want their child participating in my time activities, then they should be on time. And they'll be paying a late pickup fee as well.
Wednesday! 06:26 PM 12-06-2014
Any time after closing is MY time to use how I wish. I think it was rude of her to even mention it.
DaveA 06:02 AM 12-07-2014
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
When I'm closed... It's my time not theirs. If they don't want their child participating in my time activities, then they should be on time. And they'll be paying a late pickup fee as well.
This is my thought as well.When I'm closed... It's my time not theirs. If they don't want their child participating in my time activities, then they should be on time. And they'll be paying a late pickup fee as well.
Unregistered 07:24 AM 12-07-2014
While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.
daycare 11:00 AM 12-07-2014
personally I don't think that you should have turned your tv on.
it is our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for the children at all times when in our care. The news is not suitable for children. If we could just go off the clock because that is when we close then I could bust open a glass of wine and start drinking. While this may be a harsh comparison, all I see you saying is that because I am closed I should be able to do what I want, it's my time.
Unfortunately you chose to run a business from your home and sometimes that means things like this happen. We all know this.
I am sure it has happened to all of us at some point in our career as providers. If the mom is not coming on time to pick up, then you need to inform the parent of this and perhaps consider implementing a late fee policy. If the late fee does not work, then consider terming.
If my provider was subjecting my kid to the news, I would be removing my child.
it is our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for the children at all times when in our care. The news is not suitable for children. If we could just go off the clock because that is when we close then I could bust open a glass of wine and start drinking. While this may be a harsh comparison, all I see you saying is that because I am closed I should be able to do what I want, it's my time.
Unfortunately you chose to run a business from your home and sometimes that means things like this happen. We all know this.
I am sure it has happened to all of us at some point in our career as providers. If the mom is not coming on time to pick up, then you need to inform the parent of this and perhaps consider implementing a late fee policy. If the late fee does not work, then consider terming.
If my provider was subjecting my kid to the news, I would be removing my child.
Josiegirl 11:01 AM 12-07-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.
Exactly my thoughts only this was well-said.While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.
EntropyControlSpecialist 12:05 PM 12-07-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.
I agree. Cleaning with the child is different than doing an alternate activity that isn't appropriate for a small child to participate in.While I agree, what providers do on their time is their business, the child was still present and out of respect to the child AND because I charge a late fee (which is a fee for supervising the child beyond my closing time) which to me means I am still on the clock....not willingly but still on the clock....I would not have turned the TV/news on until the child was picked up.
I understand the argument that it's "MY" time but I think this is one of those times where professionalism is more important. Just my personal opinion.
midaycare 04:20 PM 12-07-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I agree. Cleaning with the child is different than doing an alternate activity that isn't appropriate for a small child to participate in.
I agree. Cleaning with the child is different than doing an alternate activity that isn't appropriate for a small child to participate in.
I totally agree with this.
hope 04:22 PM 12-07-2014
I do not see how you could charge a late fee if you are watching tv. I think the parent should pick up on time. I think if they do not you can maybe try to cook dinner while entertaining the child. If you can't do both, the child is priority. The news is inappropriate for a child to view and therefor shouldn't be in a child's sight. If you are to take money for a fee for the extra hours you are caring for the child than you should truly care for that child. If you can not than you can call emergency contacts to pick up.
Play Care 03:17 AM 12-08-2014
My contract states clearly that after x time, I switch to FST or FAMILY STANDARD TIME. Meaning that the any child who is still here will be at the table with an age appropriate activity while I start dinner, help my kids with homework, clean up, etc. So on that score, I see nothing wrong with starting other things, if you have a late child (after hours).
But, I agree that turning on the news is not appropriate. I do think there has to be some restraint, even if the parents are late
That said, I'd also be enforcing my late fees so that having kids here after hours wasn't an issue.
But, I agree that turning on the news is not appropriate. I do think there has to be some restraint, even if the parents are late
That said, I'd also be enforcing my late fees so that having kids here after hours wasn't an issue.
KiddieCahoots 08:20 AM 12-08-2014
I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
Unregistered 08:48 AM 12-08-2014
I didn't even charge her a late fee.
Kimskiddos 08:51 AM 12-08-2014
Originally Posted by KiddieCahoots:
I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
daycarediva 09:26 AM 12-08-2014
Originally Posted by KiddieCahoots:
I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
That's a different perspective on it, and most certainly could be what this is about! Dcm could be mentioning the news to change the subject from her being late.I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
Shell 09:36 AM 12-08-2014
I see both sides of this. On one hand, I'm not sure I would have put the news on- but I do feel we have a right to continue our lives when a parent is late, and puts us in an uncomfortable situation of infringing on our personal time. I've been in situations where we order pizza and it gets delivered right at closing-I'm starving, but I've got a late dc kid and I don't exactly want to share what I have just ordered with the toddler that is crying for his mom and hungry. Different situation, but I really get annoyed with late pick ups and how it puts us in an awkward place: do I watch what I want, eat my dinner, etc. I think I would be quite upset if a parent approached me about what I was doing when they were late (assuming it's legal ). Next time, charge her!!! Then, maybe she'll think twice about being late!
). Next time, charge her!!! Then, maybe she'll think twice about being late!
Play Care 09:37 AM 12-08-2014
Originally Posted by KiddieCahoots:
I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
Good point! And it seems as though the OP didn't even charge the mom for being late. So mom "wins" by pulling that. I see this as a manipulative tactic on dcm's part.
Completely turning the tables to complain about what the daycare provider was doing, to take the focus off of the dcm being late.
Feel the late is the part that should be addressed first, and I'd pat dcm on the shoulder while I told her that could very well be avoided, be on time!
OP - it's time to take the bull by the horns and charge late fees. As you have seen, DCM doesn't respect you or your time. Why are you giving her leeway?
Josiegirl 09:46 AM 12-08-2014
Curious as to how late dcm was?