Daycare and stuff...

[ivansmom07]

When I was looking for a daycare provider for my son, I did lots of research.  After two sitters that didn't work out, I finally found our perfect match.  On CM, I see journals, questions and group posts from moms in the same dilemma I was in.  Finding good daycare is hard!

Now, with that being said, I'd like to talk about US.  You know, the parents the use this service.  How can WE be good daycare patrons?

Following is a list I've compiled based on my observations.

• Put some clothes on your child. Seriously.  I had a trial run with one sitter (she was also a friend) and she watched three kids from the same family.  Two girls and one baby, the girls were 2 and 4 and the baby was about 6 months old.  The mom would drop them all off wearing nothing but a DIAPER.  I kid you not.  Wait, the boy sometimes wore a onesie.  I purchased little dresses for the girls once.  It was just ridiculous to me that these kids would get dropped off like that.
• Leave enough supplies.  Seems like a no brainer, right?  Well, apparentlysome parents don't get it.  My son gets a daily 'report card' from his sitter.  It tells me what he ate, what activities he participated in, how many poops and how many pees he had that day.  There is also a space for the sitter to mark what supplies he needs (she has us drop of diapers, wipes and a change of clothes.  She has a cubby box for each child, that way we don't have to drop off a diaper bag every day) Anyway, whenever she states she needs anything: I drop it off the next day.  Today, I dropped off diapers and she told me 'oh, you're awesome'.  I guess some parents don't drop off supplies as necessary.  The mom I mentioned in the beginning would drop off 6 diapers and 6 wipes A DAY.  For three kids.  Sure, this works if your kid only pees.  What if he/she has an explosive poopie?  Ugh.
• Pick up on time or early, if possible.  Yes, your sitter is getting paid until five or whatever your agreement is.  However, if you get a chance to pick up even a couple of minutes early: do it.  Not for her, not for you but for your child.  He/she would LOVE to spend some extra time with you.  Oh, and if you're running late please call.  Never mind the overtime fee, both the sitter and your child would like to know you'll be there!
• Don't drop your kid off with a dirty diaper.  Sometimes I've seen kids dropped off with the stinkiest diaper ever.  It's horrible!  Sure, sometimes kids poop on the way to daycare and that is understandable.  But I KNOW it doesn't happen every day.

Last but not least: communicate with your sitter, be involved as much as you can.  They are your PARTNER in caring for your child.  The better the relationship is between the sitter and you, the better you will feel leaving your child every day. 

You know those tears we first shed as we drive away to work after leaving our precious babies at day care?  They eventually go away.  Then, you realize your child is perfectly fine and even looks forward to daycare.  The tears come back, but they are tears of joy.  Tears of knowing you have chosen the right care provider for your child.

(please feel free to add any other pointers on how to be a good daycare patron!)

[Guinhyvar]

Nov. 4, 2008 at 7:20 PM

This is a great post, Angie :) I used to work in a daycare, and I couldn't believe some of the things that parents wouldn't do for their kids. The only thing I would add is to make sure you have a back up outfit (and socks) for your child. You know, in case they explode. The kid's diaper, not the kid.

[JoyeAustin]

Nov. 4, 2008 at 9:46 PM

I don't have to use daycare because I am fortunate, but I have a lot of respect for a mommy like you who does her research for the best possible care for her child.

[TanyaR1024]

Nov. 10, 2008 at 10:31 PM

Great post! I work at a daycare and some of the things the parents do drive me crazy! I really hate it when parents have tons of time off and still bring their kid in from open to close! Once in a while is fine, everyone needs time to themselves or to run errands or have a date with their spouse. But I cant stand the parents who bring their child in every single time they have the day off because "they are payin for it". Yes, well I dont think your child cares about that! They want more time with mommy. Even worse is the mother who doesn't even have a job and brings their infant to daycare!! Ahh I better stop before I have an aneurysm! lol