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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Lack of Available Childcare
Second Home 05:43 AM 09-13-2019
I just had my unannounced inspection yesterday . I have a new licensor ( first time meeting her) and we were talking after everything was done . I asked about MD excells ( stars program) . I asked her if she heard anything about it becoming mandatory , she said "no" . Then she did mention that lots of MD providers are closing due to all the required/ new training and upcoming new regulations and that there are not many new providers coming in. They are starting to see a lack of available childcare. There are complaints coming in from parents who can't find care and don't believe it when providers are telling them that they don't have openings.
Cat Herder 06:02 AM 09-13-2019
It was the same here. 
I am the only LEGAL home provider left in my town. 
We have plenty of ILLEGAL home providers, now, since the state funding was cut for enforcing laws. Instead of going after them, they micro-manage us with regulation to keep their federal funding. I am sure the benefits to kids are enormous. 
"We're the government, we are here to help." 
On paper it looks like quality has improved. And it has for the minority of legal providers left who are included in the numbers.
I am the only LEGAL home provider left in my town. We have plenty of ILLEGAL home providers, now, since the state funding was cut for enforcing laws. Instead of going after them, they micro-manage us with regulation to keep their federal funding. I am sure the benefits to kids are enormous. "We're the government, we are here to help." On paper it looks like quality has improved. And it has for the minority of legal providers left who are included in the numbers.
Annalee 09:23 AM 09-13-2019
Yep, Yep and Yep. Pretty much sums it up with child care across the U.S. 
daycarediva 09:46 AM 09-13-2019
I heard the same at a provider conference over summer. How we need to improve quality, and recruit more childcare providers.
Of course in the very next segment, they had a state representative talking about the high cost of childcare on working families and how we should also keep rates lower or REDUCE RATES.
1. HIGHER QUALITY=thousands of dollars in mandatory equipment, additional staff, additional paperwork/outside of child care hours, of course. Additional expensive training.
2. Lower costs for parents.
When I brought up that points 1 & 2 together are not feasible during Q&A I was given a 'we hope to offer more subsidy...' what? How is that helping parents who don't qualify? or providers to become in compliance with additional regulations to achieve a BS 'higher star' rating?
Then I mentioned that the vast majority of ECE staff live below the poverty level and qualify for government programs themselves, and compared centers to Walmart with impossible customer service expectations and EVERYONE CLAPPED.
I just tried to open a center in our small village, we have a HUGE provider shortage. I am full with a waiting list and get multiple calls DAILY, I have a waiting list until summer of 2021, strictly because I won't enroll that far out. I am at the high end for our area, too and I refuse to accept subsidy because they never pay out.
The state came in and said my toilet stalls were 2" too short width wise. It was a historic building, so there was no wiggle room on remodeling. So yep, the state denied my license for 2", even though I could accommodate a handicap accessible bathroom in the office, it was the staff restroom, so that wasn't allowable.
3 months of work, would have had 6 full classrooms the month I opened with children CURRENTLY and STILL in illegal, out of ratio for licensed in some instances, potentially dangerous, child care situations.
Of course in the very next segment, they had a state representative talking about the high cost of childcare on working families and how we should also keep rates lower or REDUCE RATES.
1. HIGHER QUALITY=thousands of dollars in mandatory equipment, additional staff, additional paperwork/outside of child care hours, of course. Additional expensive training.
2. Lower costs for parents.
When I brought up that points 1 & 2 together are not feasible during Q&A I was given a 'we hope to offer more subsidy...' what? How is that helping parents who don't qualify? or providers to become in compliance with additional regulations to achieve a BS 'higher star' rating?
Then I mentioned that the vast majority of ECE staff live below the poverty level and qualify for government programs themselves, and compared centers to Walmart with impossible customer service expectations and EVERYONE CLAPPED.
I just tried to open a center in our small village, we have a HUGE provider shortage. I am full with a waiting list and get multiple calls DAILY, I have a waiting list until summer of 2021, strictly because I won't enroll that far out. I am at the high end for our area, too and I refuse to accept subsidy because they never pay out.
The state came in and said my toilet stalls were 2" too short width wise. It was a historic building, so there was no wiggle room on remodeling. So yep, the state denied my license for 2", even though I could accommodate a handicap accessible bathroom in the office, it was the staff restroom, so that wasn't allowable.
3 months of work, would have had 6 full classrooms the month I opened with children CURRENTLY and STILL in illegal, out of ratio for licensed in some instances, potentially dangerous, child care situations.
satcook 09:59 AM 09-13-2019
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I heard the same at a provider conference over summer. How we need to improve quality, and recruit more childcare providers.
Of course in the very next segment, they had a state representative talking about the high cost of childcare on working families and how we should also keep rates lower or REDUCE RATES.
1. HIGHER QUALITY=thousands of dollars in mandatory equipment, additional staff, additional paperwork/outside of child care hours, of course. Additional expensive training.
2. Lower costs for parents.
When I brought up that points 1 & 2 together are not feasible during Q&A I was given a 'we hope to offer more subsidy...' what? How is that helping parents who don't qualify? or providers to become in compliance with additional regulations to achieve a BS 'higher star' rating?
Then I mentioned that the vast majority of ECE staff live below the poverty level and qualify for government programs themselves, and compared centers to Walmart with impossible customer service expectations and EVERYONE CLAPPED.
I just tried to open a center in our small village, we have a HUGE provider shortage. I am full with a waiting list and get multiple calls DAILY, I have a waiting list until summer of 2021, strictly because I won't enroll that far out. I am at the high end for our area, too and I refuse to accept subsidy because they never pay out.
The state came in and said my toilet stalls were 2" too short width wise. It was a historic building, so there was no wiggle room on remodeling. So yep, the state denied my license for 2", even though I could accommodate a handicap accessible bathroom in the office, it was the staff restroom, so that wasn't allowable.
3 months of work, would have had 6 full classrooms the month I opened with children CURRENTLY and STILL in illegal, out of ratio for licensed in some instances, potentially dangerous, child care situations.
How can we get the government to understand that they are a big part of the problem? Our city had to raise licensing fees because the amount they get from the state isn't covering their costs. We asked them what the state grant is based on. A big part of it is the number of spots in licensed daycare, which is going down because people are going out of business or running illegal.I heard the same at a provider conference over summer. How we need to improve quality, and recruit more childcare providers.
Of course in the very next segment, they had a state representative talking about the high cost of childcare on working families and how we should also keep rates lower or REDUCE RATES.
1. HIGHER QUALITY=thousands of dollars in mandatory equipment, additional staff, additional paperwork/outside of child care hours, of course. Additional expensive training.
2. Lower costs for parents.
When I brought up that points 1 & 2 together are not feasible during Q&A I was given a 'we hope to offer more subsidy...' what? How is that helping parents who don't qualify? or providers to become in compliance with additional regulations to achieve a BS 'higher star' rating?
Then I mentioned that the vast majority of ECE staff live below the poverty level and qualify for government programs themselves, and compared centers to Walmart with impossible customer service expectations and EVERYONE CLAPPED.
I just tried to open a center in our small village, we have a HUGE provider shortage. I am full with a waiting list and get multiple calls DAILY, I have a waiting list until summer of 2021, strictly because I won't enroll that far out. I am at the high end for our area, too and I refuse to accept subsidy because they never pay out.
The state came in and said my toilet stalls were 2" too short width wise. It was a historic building, so there was no wiggle room on remodeling. So yep, the state denied my license for 2", even though I could accommodate a handicap accessible bathroom in the office, it was the staff restroom, so that wasn't allowable.
3 months of work, would have had 6 full classrooms the month I opened with children CURRENTLY and STILL in illegal, out of ratio for licensed in some instances, potentially dangerous, child care situations.
My daycare is full and parents get really angry when I tell them I won't have openings until May. I'm sorry that they are in a tough spot, but don't call me today and expect childcare tomorrow.....
Cat Herder 10:19 AM 09-13-2019
Originally Posted by satcook:
How can we get the government to understand that they are a big part of the problem?
They understand. At least each individual department that is pecking at the federal dollars in fear of losing their redundant, created, job titles for their made-up, non-transferrable degrees. Their income depends on the headlines, fear and chaos. Solving the problem would put them out of work. Creating problems is job security.How can we get the government to understand that they are a big part of the problem?
Read the Peter Principle. Please. It should be mandatory.
Annalee 10:07 AM 09-13-2019
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I heard the same at a provider conference over summer. How we need to improve quality, and recruit more childcare providers.
Of course in the very next segment, they had a state representative talking about the high cost of childcare on working families and how we should also keep rates lower or REDUCE RATES.
1. HIGHER QUALITY=thousands of dollars in mandatory equipment, additional staff, additional paperwork/outside of child care hours, of course. Additional expensive training.
2. Lower costs for parents.
When I brought up that points 1 & 2 together are not feasible during Q&A I was given a 'we hope to offer more subsidy...' what? How is that helping parents who don't qualify? or providers to become in compliance with additional regulations to achieve a BS 'higher star' rating?
Then I mentioned that the vast majority of ECE staff live below the poverty level and qualify for government programs themselves, and compared centers to Walmart with impossible customer service expectations and EVERYONE CLAPPED.
I just tried to open a center in our small village, we have a HUGE provider shortage. I am full with a waiting list and get multiple calls DAILY, I have a waiting list until summer of 2021, strictly because I won't enroll that far out. I am at the high end for our area, too and I refuse to accept subsidy because they never pay out.
The state came in and said my toilet stalls were 2" too short width wise. It was a historic building, so there was no wiggle room on remodeling. So yep, the state denied my license for 2", even though I could accommodate a handicap accessible bathroom in the office, it was the staff restroom, so that wasn't allowable.
3 months of work, would have had 6 full classrooms the month I opened with children CURRENTLY and STILL in illegal, out of ratio for licensed in some instances, potentially dangerous, child care situations.
^^^ and legislators just listen to "appease" providers for the time-being. Just like state entities. Each specific dept (QRIS, Licensing, Food Program, Health dept, Fire, etc.) can't even get on the same page soI heard the same at a provider conference over summer. How we need to improve quality, and recruit more childcare providers.
Of course in the very next segment, they had a state representative talking about the high cost of childcare on working families and how we should also keep rates lower or REDUCE RATES.
1. HIGHER QUALITY=thousands of dollars in mandatory equipment, additional staff, additional paperwork/outside of child care hours, of course. Additional expensive training.
2. Lower costs for parents.
When I brought up that points 1 & 2 together are not feasible during Q&A I was given a 'we hope to offer more subsidy...' what? How is that helping parents who don't qualify? or providers to become in compliance with additional regulations to achieve a BS 'higher star' rating?
Then I mentioned that the vast majority of ECE staff live below the poverty level and qualify for government programs themselves, and compared centers to Walmart with impossible customer service expectations and EVERYONE CLAPPED.
I just tried to open a center in our small village, we have a HUGE provider shortage. I am full with a waiting list and get multiple calls DAILY, I have a waiting list until summer of 2021, strictly because I won't enroll that far out. I am at the high end for our area, too and I refuse to accept subsidy because they never pay out.
The state came in and said my toilet stalls were 2" too short width wise. It was a historic building, so there was no wiggle room on remodeling. So yep, the state denied my license for 2", even though I could accommodate a handicap accessible bathroom in the office, it was the staff restroom, so that wasn't allowable.
3 months of work, would have had 6 full classrooms the month I opened with children CURRENTLY and STILL in illegal, out of ratio for licensed in some instances, potentially dangerous, child care situations.
I've "bit" so many times with certain entities that I feel "embarrassed" to ever do it again, but then each time I think "this time will be different", but
Cat Herder 09:38 AM 09-13-2019
Originally Posted by Second Home:
There are complaints coming in from parents who can't find care and don't believe it when providers are telling them that they don't have openings.
This is getting to be a really annoying trend. There are complaints coming in from parents who can't find care and don't believe it when providers are telling them that they don't have openings.
I do take a lot of heat these days for not being able to create slots from thin air. The kids age out just as fast as they can. I am not cherry-picking or playing favorites.
By cutting our ratio (slots) in half, from 12 kids to 6 kids, they created the first big drop in available slots and doubled tuition overnight.
Childcare did not get more expensive, our earnings potential was cut in half. We had to do a market correction or go out of business. They love to blame childcare providers for the cost, though.