http://123child.com/bb a forum for in home child care providers, toddler, preschool and kindergarten teachers and parents. en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:41:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.123child.com/bb/images/miscbluebrown/rss.jpg http://123child.com/bb http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1052&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:23:04 GMT I have Chase, he will be 2 in Oct....then I have a baby due to start in January (however Mom was just diagnosed with preclampsia (sp?) and is on bed... I have Chase, he will be 2 in Oct....then I have a baby due to start in January (however Mom was just diagnosed with preclampsia (sp?) and is on bed rest so I may have a preemie and sooner then I thought). I then have a baby (not due till January) who will only be with me in the mornings 4 days a month! This was a special favor to friends (Mom & Dad are both Firefighters but different shifts) and they are paying me with restaurant gift cards lol which of course I don't mind. SO, THAT spot I am leaving open for baby and drop ins'.
I also have 2 more "prospective" newborns (due this week) And PRAYING at least one calls. I haven't met the one but she works with a past parent and the other met just once (neighbor) but gave them both my packets.
I guess my question is: Should I advertise for all ages or just a 2 year old? I really want to find a friend for Chase, boy or girl of course. But it seems like it's a baby boom here lol.
I only have 5 spots and one is the drop in...Chase has one....Preemie has one....so 2 open .. UGH Idk if I should wait to hear from the 2 "prospective" babies. ]]> In-Home Child Care Stacy214 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1052 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1051&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:50:22 GMT This week has not been the best, topped it off yesterday with getting startled in my own home. Thank you for listening to me vent. So,... This week has not been the best, topped it off yesterday with getting startled in my own home. Thank you for listening to me vent.

So, Question.......Since our business is in our home, where does the separation of home/business come into play. What "rights" do parents have when it comes to our homes. Do they have the right to just walk in without knocking or ringing the bell? Do they have the right to just walk in any time during the day unannounced and walk thru your home looking for you. And my big question.....why do some think they have these rights?

I only pray for today to be a better day. Both for me and for Pam (pkp60). ]]> In-Home Child Care mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1051 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1050&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:38:13 GMT Ashley has Saturday the 25th off, so we are driving to Detroit to go to IKEA. I have never been there. Just found out the closest one is 2 1/2 hours... Ashley has Saturday the 25th off, so we are driving to Detroit to go to IKEA. I have never been there. Just found out the closest one is 2 1/2 hours away. Not really going for any reason, just for something to do to get out of the house, and to see what I might find. Ashley went to IKEA in Seattle, and loved it. She goes virtual shopping on their website all the time. I am hoping to find some storage solutions for dc stuff and kitchen. If she by chance gets Sunday off too, we will spend the night. I love mini trips! ]]> mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1050 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1049&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:46:57 GMT Today was a big day!:party0011: The baby I am supposed to begin watching in OCtober came for a short visit (without mom) today. He was only here... Today was a big day!:party0011: The baby I am supposed to begin watching in OCtober came for a short visit (without mom) today. He was only here about 45 min (mom had a school mtg to attend & dad picked up after he got off work). He is such a doll, only about 3 weeks old & a keeper for sure. I can not wait to begin watching him (I think!!!). Then this evening I had an interview with expectant parents who are due the end of January (care would start in March). I was very upfront with this couple about how I was likely going to be caring for this other baby & wanted to see how well it went before commiting to them. They seemed (the couple) very pleasant & seemed fine with my sample contract, etc. I think they liked me?! I know my 2 1/2 year old impressed them (he hugged them both before they left multiple times!!!) Anyway, we are supposed to re-connect in late Oct after I have been watching the new baby for a few weeks. One interesting tidbit is the mom of the second baby is considering trying to get a part-time job at her company. I think that would be a better fit for me to have baby #2 here only 2-3 days as opposed to 5 days. Time will tell. Keeping my fingers crossed it all works out. ]]> In-Home Child Care janarae98 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1049 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1048&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:13:40 GMT I'm trying to decide whether to hire someone to come in and clean my carpets again, or to just go out and buy my own carpet cleaner. I used to have one, but we only used it 4 times before it quit working. Plus, it left the carpet too wet. Any thoughts on this? Do any of you have a carpet cleaner that you would reccommend? ]]> checkinin http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1048 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1047&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:03:07 GMT My 3:40 departure kids left, then that meant that no one leaves until 4:40 or so again. I am in the kitchen, just put one kid to the table for his... My 3:40 departure kids left, then that meant that no one leaves until 4:40 or so again. I am in the kitchen, just put one kid to the table for his snack, stuffed a cookie in my mouth, cleaning things up and look into my dining room and there is a mom standing and she says "I AM EARLY", no ****, by over 45 minutes. She did not knock, she did not ring the doorbell, she did not say "MARIE I AM HERE", just walked in my front door, stepped over the gate, and scared the hell out of me. This is why I want to put in the call if you are going to pick up early clause. People are so fricken disrespectful. What is wrong with them. Good thing I wasn't scratching my butt or something. (JK)

I am about ready to get one of those devices that sound an alarm when someone pulls into my drive. ]]> In-Home Child Care mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1047 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1046&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:24:14 GMT First change.....because this school year I have 2 kids leaving a total of 4 of the 5 days to go to "real preschool", I want to put something in my handbook that addresses this. I want to state that "I provide a preschool curriculum for children ages 3 thru kindy, (must be 3 at start of school year), and in the past years have found that when parents send their children to preschool at another location, it disrupts my daily schedule and my own abilities to provide a consistent preschool curriculum for families not sending their child elsewhere, so in the future, I prefer that families do not schedule additional preschool activities during my normal hours of care. (Or something like that....I know what I really want to put, but it isn't very nice). lol (would only state this to new incoming families)

Second change......For safety reasons, I will be locking my front door after morning drop offs and unlocking the door before afternoon pick ups start. If you come to pick up your child for any reason between drop offs and pick ups, please ring the new doorbell that has been installed and I will be at the door as soon as possible to let you in.

Third change......With fall and winter coming on, I respectfully request that you wait for your child on the area rug inside the front door.

Fourth change......If you will be picking up your children early, please give me a quick call so that I can have them ready and also get Holly and Jackie corraled so they don't bark when entering and wake up the other children.

Fifth change......I will continue to care for your school age child as long as their is a fulltime sibling in care. OR, as long as I have openings for the summer months. Full time children will take priority over school age and part time children.

So, these are issues that have really been bugging me lately and I have been witching about. Am I being petty with them, or do my request seem viable and fair. ]]> In-Home Child Care mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1046 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1045&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:12:58 GMT I don't have a foyer at my front door so I keep a 5 x 7 area rug in front of it so there is lots of room for shoes to come off, coats to be hung up, and for parents to stand to wait for their kids to be brought out or dropped off......Why then, does the one dad when he picks up, constantly have to walk off the rug. He IS the reason it is there. He works in a landscape business, always has grease, dirt, all kinds of crap on his work boots, and when it is wet outside, there are always black grease marks and dirt left behind him.

So yesterday he picks the kids up 45 min early, and off he walks off the area rug. It makes me so darn mad. Just stay on the rug. I have 2 new moms that walk off of it too.

Do I really need to put a sign on my door that says "THANK YOU FOR STAYING ON THE ENTRANCE RUG AT DROP OFFS AND PICK UPS". I don't want to.....but...... Gees, even when I go visit my neighbors, I slip my shoes off before I walk on it.

Last year I had one area rug ruined by this dad due to grease marks on it that I could not get out. There have been many a day I have been on my hands and knees scubbing out black marks, or dragging out the carpet shampooer to clean up his tracks.

Just so frustrating to me. ]]> In-Home Child Care mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1045 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1044&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:49:44 GMT Tonight, for the second time, I am going to the nursing home to volunteer for activities. I went last week too. It was ok, a little getting used to... Tonight, for the second time, I am going to the nursing home to volunteer for activities. I went last week too. It was ok, a little getting used to in seeing the people and how "bad" off some of them are. But I think it is going to be a rewarding experience for me. As soon as I get the signed papers, I can start the program. ]]> mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1044 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1043&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:32:29 GMT At what age do you really start your kids with preschool. I typically wait till they are 3, other wise it is pure hell to get a 2 yr old to cooperate... At what age do you really start your kids with preschool. I typically wait till they are 3, other wise it is pure hell to get a 2 yr old to cooperate with things. I will include the 2 yr olds in somethings and try to get them to learn to sit still long enough to do something at the tables, but I gave up trying to have them do worksheets and some of the crafts we do, because I just end up doing it all, or they just destroy it, rip it, etc. I spend a pretty penny on my preschool activities and I hate seeing money getting destroyed. I have 2 that just turned 2 in July, and OMG, I just can't see myself trying to get them to sit and do some things. They can do activities at the table while the older ones do their preschool stuff. Just wondering what others do. ]]> In-Home Child Care mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1043 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1042&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:50:41 GMT What are your thoughts on dogs in home daycare? I don't know if any of you remember, but, a few years ago I had an inspection and got a new inspector. Well it was obvious she didn't care for dogs right out the gate .... she REPORTED me for having one and said that mine growled at her, (NOT) my dog Isabelle sat under the table the whole time, yea she barked at her at first but then just walked away.
I am going to be getting a completely different inspector this time so praying that this woman likes dogs. The 2 previous ladies loved mine.
There is a "clause" in the handbook that states " no vicious dogs be in the same area as the children" and really who is to determine that ya know?
So, who has dogs and how are your parents with them???
Something new for me, all my old parents had no problem and Isabelle is getting older geesh, she's also barky. ]]> In-Home Child Care Stacy214 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1042 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1041&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:51:25 GMT Just wondering, how many of you keep your doors locked during daycare hours. I am talking after the initial drop offs are done and after your first... Just wondering, how many of you keep your doors locked during daycare hours. I am talking after the initial drop offs are done and after your first pick ups start.

Everyonoe comes thru my front door. Everyone has always just walked on in at drop offs, pick ups, and anytime in between. Well, now I have 2 different families that will be picking up and dropping off their kid 2 and 3 days per week for "real preschool". Tuesday was the first day, and the times the mom said she would pick up/drop off, were anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes off. When people walk in, I can't hear them from the daycare room or my kitchen, where I spend a lot of time.

So, this is what I am thinking......I want to get one of those doorbells that I can put the button by the front door, then I can plug the bell end in so I can hear it, the kitchen or dining room. (Our regular doorbell is in hallway and we can't hear it from dc room or kitchen). I hate having people walk in unannounced and me not knowing they are here. Plus, I have 2 dogs and they bark at every creature in the yard or walking down the street, and I tend to keep them in the back with us to help control the barking. They will bark if someone comes in, but I don't want the barking dogs waking up kids.

So, do you think it is wrong that I start keeping my doors locked, from 8:30 to 3, and if a parent comes for whatever reason, they need to ring the bell and wait on me to come to the door? Honestly, I am sick of everyone just waltzing in here like they own the place. I also have 2 new moms that think they can step over my gate and just walk on back, and that is pissing me off. I have a 5 x 7 area rug in front of the door and I expect them to stay on it. With fall and winter coming, I don't want wet feet thru my house.

OK, done crabbing. So, ok to keep the doors locked? ]]> In-Home Child Care mac78 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1041 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1040&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:26:47 GMT I for one am glad for literacy. :smilie_colors1: I for one am glad for literacy. :smilie_colors1: ]]> QsKids http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1040 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1039&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:10:57 GMT Ok, my inspector is set to be here on Monday at 10! Wish me luck :fwp-smiley-09: and I have gone through the list and checked it twice! I could NOT... Ok, my inspector is set to be here on Monday at 10! Wish me luck :fwp-smiley-09: and I have gone through the list and checked it twice! I could NOT believe how strict the state has become in just the past 2 years! I had to put locks on every door (bedrooms) pantry and cabinet. I have to have a locked medicine cabinet however the cleaners can be 5 ft or higher go figure. We are on a private well and I had to have my water tested.....TB testing, physical, they have to know what meds I take and of course fingerprinting and background. (on everybody living in the home)..... a frig thermometer, my water has to be between 100-120 degrees, lol and so much more! OH and my steps that the children access had to be a certain height and be railed!

THEN next Wednesday I am having mouth/gum surgery! I aggressively brush and floss so they will reconstruct my gums (just over 4 teeth now) and the worst parts are #1 it's 3 hours long #2 I can't talk for 24 hours after hahahaha, I said "you don't know me very well" lol Thank Goodness for texting!!!!
Should be an interesting week. ]]> Stacy214 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1039 http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1038&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:56:31 GMT The school aged kids went back to school yesterday, so I was excited about starting preschool again with my four 3 year olds. BUT, we had a 1 year... The school aged kids went back to school yesterday, so I was excited about starting preschool again with my four 3 year olds. BUT, we had a 1 year old dcg start yesterday and she screamed all through circle time. Then, one of the 3 year old boys got upset because I wasn't singing the right song (according to him). I hope today goes better. ]]> In-Home Child Care checkinin http://123child.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1038