vbs daycare problem no more solved..

[Wishing on a star]

All this running around you guys are talking about just isn't done where I live. I don't think licensed providers are even allowed to do that here. I know I wouldn't have wanted my son hauled all over town while the provider ran errands and did all kinds of things. And I liked her in-home environment. They did crafts, had activities, took naps, even watched TV (oh the horrors! LOL). They were in a HOME environment. I wouldn't have appreciated them being in a car most of the day!

Plus my son didn't respond well to different situations. He needed to be in a structured environment, and this was perfect for him.

I TOTALLY agree.

The older child is the one child in the scenario who might benefit from the kinds of things mentioned on this thread.

But, no way would I want my two year old enrolled in week long VBS, being hauled around to swimming lessons, sports camps, errands, etc... etc... etc...

 

[Wishing on a star]

I wouldn't have a problem with a child care provider taking my child on a field trip. I would have a problem with her working(or volunteering) a second job during the time that I'm paying to watch my child.

Hallelujah!!!!!!!

 

[ajk912]

If I was the parent of the older kids, I would think it's a great experience and a great fun activity to do VBS (assuming the religion is one I agree with).

For the 2 year olds parents, I TOTALLY understand them changing their mind/hesitation. The 2 year old won't be doing VBS activities, she will be in the nursery the next door over. Has anyone else ever volunteered in their church nursery? There is almost always at least one kid with a cold. I wash my hands like crazy so as not to get sick. I wouldn't want my 2 year old to go to a nursery..sorry. I would think that I pay the daycare provider a lot of money, and I don't really think sticking my kid in the church nursery is ok. Heck, even on church days we didn't do the nursery, I didn't want my kids to get sick!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I sooooo agree with the above poster...

Spending all those hours in a possible crowded and small church nursury room is simply NOT a quality daycare experience.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Maybe I am seeing this wrong...but... from the OP's original post, it sounds like everything was worked out (whether it should have or not is irrevelent...everyone agreed to it), and now last minute the parents changed their minds.

Should they pay even though they changed their minds? I'm not sure. But should she have to cancel the VBS plans? No, b/c they did agree to it.

I think that whatever comes of this situation, the OP should probably not do VBS again during daycare hours. It sounds like the lines of business and friendship are getting muddled. And anything off grounds should have a permission slip signed by the parents, even better would be notarized. Not only for the parents, but for legal reasons as well.

Hope everything works out!

 

[ajk912]

I sooooo agree with the above poster...

Spending all those hours in a possible crowded and small church nursury room is simply NOT a quality daycare experience.

Thanks. It's fresh on my mind, because last Sunday was my week to volunteer in the church nursery. Guess what happened on Thursday? Yup, I feel the itches of a cold and now I have a cold. Still. Ugh. I even washed my hands three times when I was in there, too!!! Of course, maybe I didn't catch it in the nursery, but I am definitely suspicious because I haven't been sick since winter...at all, and then I in the church nursery and 4 days later I am sick. And I caught it first, so it's not like I got it from my kids. And none of my kids do the nursery..I just volunteer in there once a quarter as a "giving back" type of thing.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Many church nurserys are small rooms with a sign that say NURSERY on the door. they are not full sized or fully equipped day care centers, nor are they a home environment. Many are just to get thru the church services...

It is not just that small children spread colds and germs.

I simply would not see most church nurserys as an adequate positive child care option.

 

[robinb]

Thank you OP for coming back and making things clearer!

You're in a pickle. You thought that both families were OK with the VBS and you committed yourself to being a teacher. Family #2 is not OK with it and wants you to stay home with their 2-year old like you usually do. At this late date it is too late for you to back out of teaching at VBS and family #2 will either have to allow you to take their toddler to VBS or they will need to find another sitter ... at the last minute.

I guess that I am with Wishing on a star here that family #2 was probably never on board with their youngest going to VBS with you and for one reason or another didn't tell you until the last minute. You must have sensed something was wrong because you double-checked on the 2-year old's status. Both of you have some blame here. You have the blame in not getting things set in stone earlier and they have the blame for not telling you they had a problem with their 2-year old being in the VBS nursery while you teach.

Since you gave them plenty of notice about the VBS and it's too late to find a substitute teacher you should go ahead with your own plans. They, OTOH, should have the ability to choose another situation for their kids and NOT pay you for the week. Unfortunately, this has turned from what you thought was a win-win situation to a lose-lose one.

The lesson here is that you need to make double-dog sure that everyone is on board with things that you do with your day-care kids while "on the clock". That means that you need to get a positive written commitment from the parents before you finalize those plans.

 

[dogluva]

I guess I see the OP as being professional. Her job it to take care of the kids, nurture them and basically be a parent to the kids while the kids' parents are working. I volunteered at VBS when my kids were that age, they were not in the same classroom that I was helping in, I took my kids to T-ball, swimming lessons, etc. and if I had to use daycare I would have been THRILLED that my kids were still able to do all of those activities vs being stuck at someone's house or in a day care center for 12 hours/day all summer long. I would see a day care provider as NOT being professional if they did not offer those opportunities to my child. ALL of the day care centers here take field trips, transport the kids to various city activities, sports practices, etc. It is common knowledge that you don't go to the local pools until after 2;30 or so because all of the day cares have their kids there and it is really crowded. How is doing this unprofessional???

See I don't look at this way at all. I see it like the OP wants to have her cake and eat it to. She wants to volunteer at VCBS and also get paid for taking care of the kdis she normally does. She is doing it for herself, not the kids she takes care of. If I am paying you to take care of my kid then that is what you need to be doing. That is your first priority. If you are taking your kids to Tball practice, food shopping, etc. you are taking away from your real duty which is taking care of my child. I don't want my child to be a secondary job.

The reason I love my sitter so much is that her job from 9-3 is to watch my child. The others stuff (visitng relatives, walmart, dance class for Emma, etc.) is after three. It is similar to my job, I work and when I am at work I do my job. I don't run errands, pay my bills, walk my dogs etc.

 

[dogluva]

All this running around you guys are talking about just isn't done where I live. I don't think licensed providers are even allowed to do that here. I know I wouldn't have wanted my son hauled all over town while the provider ran errands and did all kinds of things. And I liked her in-home environment. They did crafts, had activities, took naps, even watched TV (oh the horrors! LOL). They were in a HOME environment. I wouldn't have appreciated them being in a car most of the day!

Plus my son didn't respond well to different situations. He needed to be in a structured environment, and this was perfect for him.

My sitter, who has watched five out of six of my kids, has never taken them in her car. She keeps tham in her home. They do all that the previous poster does and they are fine. I am fine. I never have to worry wher my kids are. They are safe and sound at her house. No drop offs, pick ups, etc. That is the reason that five out of six had her. THe oldest had a a sitter that tried to fit in her day care kids into her SAHM life. She was always on the road. I never knew where my children were. She was constantly taking her sons to some event, practice, lesson, play date etc. My son "tagged" along. Finally, I got sick of being worried sick and I pulled him out. The sitter I have now (until next week when my youngest goes off to school full time) is someone who runs a daycare like a paid job and gives it 100%. I am her emploryer and she puts my kids first. All activities, errands, and other day to day stuff done when the kids leave. I would be floored if she said " I am taking the week to teach VCBS" and your kids can come but if you don't want them to, I still need to get paid". I just could not imagine.

 

[goofy!]

Ok here is the scoop. I watch 4 daycarekids. 2 sets of siblings

my oldest are 5 and 10
the next set are 2 and 5

well we have had VBS set up for over a month, have asked both sets of parents about going and even told them I would be teaching the 4 and 5 yr old class so I would have 2 out of 4 kids with me plus my own son in my class.

well for the past 2 weeks I have reminding them about it and everything has been fine.....

Today I was talking to my set#2 parents about wether the 2 yr old was going or if they were gonna find someone to watch him so their older duaghter who is 12 could go.. he tells me that he doesnt want me to commute with them and wants me to stay home to watch them

I told him I had to go and that they have known about it for about 6 weeks and said it was fine before I told the people at church I could teach the class. Bear in mind I take the older 2 kids to church on some sunday nights and occasionally meet their mom at her work place if I need to be somewhere or she needs to do something after work.

I also told them that if he decided to get someone to watch them next week he would still have to pay me my fee.. Am I being out of line for telling them that??

it is only 3 hrs and it was something we thought would be fun for all the kids. the toddler room is right next to my room so I would ony be 1 window away from the 2 yr old. The 10 yr old and their 12 yr old goes to church with me on sunday night as do the 5 yr old from the #2 parents. We would eat B-fast here then go to VBS then come home for lunch

the original plans were for me to bring their oldest with me to VBS and pick up the 2 yr old at their grandparents(they cant watch them all day or want to watch more than 1 of the younger ones at a given time)and leave the older one since she is goes with grandpa to work

vbs is from 9-12

Perhaps I am not following this correctly, but it appears that you are saying that the original plans you made with the families were to leave the 2 year old with grandparents and the 12 year old going to work with the grandpa.

If what I read is correct (I'm sorry, I had a hard time following it), the parents made other arrangements for the 2 year old and the 12 year old when the plans for VBS were originally made, which you agreed to.

Therefore, you should not charge for the 2 year old nor the 12 year old since previous arrangements were made.

 

[sharonW]

most daycares are paid for the "slots" and not the actual days. When my dd was in day care i paid for days that i didn't take her. I wanted her to have a slot for when she did go. Its a job getting a salary. Just because its slow or a client is a no show doesn't mean you don't get your salary for the week.

exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dogluva]

If I was the parent of the older kids, I would think it's a great experience and a great fun activity to do VBS (assuming the religion is one I agree with).

For the 2 year olds parents, I TOTALLY understand them changing their mind/hesitation. The 2 year old won't be doing VBS activities, she will be in the nursery the next door over. Has anyone else ever volunteered in their church nursery? There is almost always at least one kid with a cold. I wash my hands like crazy so as not to get sick. I wouldn't want my 2 year old to go to a nursery..sorry. I would think that I pay the daycare provider a lot of money, and I don't really think sticking my kid in the church nursery is ok. Heck, even on church days we didn't do the nursery, I didn't want my kids to get sick!

Not only that, you check into the background and have references for the child that is going to take care of your child. You expect her to take care of him/her not some random nursery voluteer who could be anyone (smoker, have a criminal background, have a child who is agressive, etc.). I don't take chances with my kids, especially a two year old who may not have the verbal ability to say what goes on.

It is hard enough to leave a two year old, never mind leaving her with some random stranger while your real provider is teaching bible school. NO way. I would laugh in your face in disbelief.

Working parents have enough to deal with. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that my child is with some I know and trust.

 

[dogluva]

Many church nurserys are small rooms with a sign that say NURSERY on the door. they are not full sized or fully equipped day care centers, nor are they a home environment. Many are just to get thru the church services...

It is not just that small children spread colds and germs.

I simply would not see most church nurserys as an adequate positive child care option.

Yes, they are there for short periods of time. Like during a church service. Not extended periods of time. THe room is too small and a two year old would be bored and literally climbing the walls.

 

[robinb]

See I don't look at this way at all. I see it like the OP wants to have her cake and eat it to. She wants to volunteer at VCBS and also get paid for taking care of the kdis she normally does. She is doing it for herself, not the kids she takes care of.

I don't think it's really a big deal as long as all the parents are on board with it. In this case it appears that they were not ... at least not on Friday.

I appreciate and understand your preferences for the care of your children. We all have preferences. For instance, I would never have enrolled my DD is any kind of Christian day care and going to VBS would have been right out. That's why there are so many kinds of day care situations out there . There's one that's perfect for everyone if they take the time to find it.

 

[robinb]

Yes, they are there for short periods of time. Like during a church service. Not extended periods of time. THe room is too small and a two year old would be bored and literally climbing the walls.

You don't know how big this church's nursery is or how many activities they have. It could be one of those Mega churches that caters to young families. Also, many times religious services go for more than an hour and the kids are just fine. I attended an Orthodox Bar Mitzvah (during regular Saturday services) last October and the service went for hours. The synagogue had many young families and I saw lots and lots of kids of all ages after the service was finished. They had been sequestered away in the nursery and in classes for all that time.

 

[dogluva]

You don't know how big this church's nursery is or how many activities they have. It could be one of those Mega churches that caters to young families. Also, many times religious services go for more than an hour and the kids are just fine. I attended an Orthodox Bar Mitzvah (during regular Saturday services) last October and the service went for hours. The synagogue had many young families and I saw lots and lots of kids of all ages after the service was finished. They had been sequestered away in the nursery and in classes for all that time.

I am sure the families knew the provider. I, as a non member of the synogue, would not leave my two year old there for hours. I need to KNOW who is watching my child. I need to know this person very well. My children are my life and as a working mother who is basically working to provide for my kids, I want to know who is with them when I am not. The room could be a castle or Magic Kingdom. I am not there so I don't care. I trust the person who I have looked into and done background checks. Anyone could be in that nursery and I don't want my BABY around them.

 

[robinb]

I am sure the families knew the provider. I, as a non member of the synogue, would not leave my two year old there for hours. I need to KNOW who is watching my child. I need to know this person very well. My children are my life and as a working mother who is basically working to provide for my kids, I want to know who is with them when I am not. The room could be a castle or Magic Kingdom. I am not there so I don't care. I trust the person who I have looked into and done background checks. Anyone could be in that nursery and I don't want my BABY around them.

And that is your prerogative .

 

[dogluva]

And that is your prerogative .

Exactly. And I am sure that is why the OP's second family changed their minds. I would have too. They should not have agreed to it. However, they changed their minds with their babie's best interest at heart and so the OP should just let them find alternative day care and not charge them.

 

[robinb]

Exactly. And I am sure that is why the OP's second family changed their minds. I would have too. They should not have agreed to it. However, they changed their minds with their babie's best interest at heart and so the OP should just let them find alternative day care and not charge them.

We don't know why the second family changed their minds (or never really made their mind up to begin with!) and you may be correct. It really doesn't matter as the OP did not have their agreement and consent in writing so I agree with you that the OP should not charge for the week.

FWIW, I would have had no problem allowing my young daughter to go to a nursury environment like that. In fact, I allowed my DD to go to the YMCA nursery at 2 years of age while I worked out in the gym. It doesn't mean that I didn't have my baby's best interest at heart . We all have our babies best interests at heart and I'm glad there are options for everyone.