Daycare Provider - Athens,OH

Updated on August 17, 2009
S.M. asks from Athens, OH
16 answers

My son goes to an at home daycare with 6 other children. We love the atmosphere and style of the daycare (very laidback and hippie) but the provider drives us nuts! She takes every single public school holiday, 1 1/2 week at christmas, 1 week for spring break, etc. My husband and I don't get all the holidays, so it causes problems for us. Recently my son caught a cold from some other children at daycare and had a slight fever, snotty nose, etc. When he went back (no fever, slight running nose) she called to come pick him up because he was in a bad mood, didn't want to play cause and was generally not getting along with her. Believe me, I understand he didn't feel good, but he's getting over a cold. Is it unreasonable for me to expect her to keep him there if he's at the tail end of it, and is no longer contagious? She call's at the littlest thing to come pick him up and I'm running out of sick time! Help! Am I unreasonable to expect her to be there?

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for the advice! Yesterday Aidan informed us he wanted to go to another school (which kinda solved some problems for us, as we wanted to leave him there if he was happy) so we are currently looking for another daycare. Unfortunately, all of you who run daycares are not in our area!

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A.W.

answers from Lafayette on

Welcome to the life of daycare. I got so fed up with it that I went on the night shift so that my fiance could tend to the kids while I'm at work and I could tend to them while he's gone. The daycares want to get paid but they just don't want to do the work. Good luck to you.

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N.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am in perry township and the schools are rosa parks and abraham lincoln. If these schools are close you can give me a call at ###-###-####. Thanks!

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K.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

Does she have kids in school? Sounds like she is trying to have a daycare but still have her life off when her kids are out of school. I watch kids out of my house and my rule is if they have had a temperature in the last 24 hours and/or vomited in the last 24 hours I won't take the kids at all. If they are on the tail end though I will take them and hope that the parent(S) understand if I call if something is just not right like the fever goes up again or what not. Maybe the problem is that the daycare provider is getting overloaded and wanting out of having 6 extra kids.
I would approach her and just ask if there is a problem watching your son. Maybe being direct about it will snap her into the realization that calling you because he seems out of sorts isn't normal. A "regular" daycare center wouldn't call you because he was being mopey; they'd mention it at pickup but not call you and ask you to come get him immediately. As for the days off, if she has kids in school, it may be the issue that when school is out, she is over the limit with children including her own. Not sure how that would work with the summer but I would try being straight forward and see what she says. Good luck

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T.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi,
I'm a daycare provider - I don't take every school holiday off but I do feel that I deserve some days off. I never go on vacation, but I do give myself a few paid sick days because we (providers) are exposed to everyones germs also. I have a handbook with all my policies written in it that is read and signed by the parent, in this handbook it has a section on illness, fever, snotty noses, when to keep a child home, etc. If he was fever free, and clear snot than I see no reason why you needed to pick him up unless he was very cranky - it's very hard to give a sick child the individual attention he needs while trying to take care of five other children so I can see both sides of this. I tell all my parents to have backup childcare in case things like this happen. She may have also had other parents complain to her that your child is at daycare with a cold - once a cold gets started they seem to pass it around, and if the provider gets ill then she has no choice but to close until she's better. I know it can be frustrating. Good luck!
T.

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T.S.

answers from Lexington on

Hello S., I use to run a child care business in my home. I am wondering if you signed and read a contract between your child care provider.Unfortunately things are different when you use a home based child care. There is only one person doing all the work and no one to relieve her. I asked about the contract because you should have received one with all the info on vacations and sick days upfront before you made the decision basically to hire her. You also should have signed this contract saying you agreed to all her terms. I hate to sound mean...but you knew how things were before hand and still chose to go with this child care. If you aren't able to comply with what you previously agreed to...then maybe you should find a center that has many workers and are open everyday. Apparently a home based child care doesn't work for you. Sorry if this is mean....but it is simple. If it doesn't work for you, talking to her isn't really going to change her policy. So you just need to change day care. Make sure though that you read up on her policy on termination.....other wise you might end up madder if you have to pay more for short notice.

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H.F.

answers from Lafayette on

I don't think it's unreasonable for your provider to take time off at Christmas and Spring Break, because they need time off like the rest of us. However, I do think it's strange that she takes off every single public school holiday, such as President's Day, when most likely, you're not getting that time off from work. I also think it's weird that she's calling all the time for you to pick him up. You should explain to her what you did to us about running out of sick time and let her know that you will have to find another provider if it keeps up. Do this in a nice way, because you don't want to have tension with the person who is caring for your child everyday.

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H.J.

answers from Louisville on

I'd make sure that you discuss your concerns openly with her.

It does seem unreasonable for her to do that and it seems like no matter what childcare position you put them in there are always pros and cons. The main reason we chose a center for our daughter is because I 1) couldn't trust someone to watch her without another adult supervising and 2) I can't just take off everytime the sitter wants a vacation.

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P.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Oh my.....sounds like a real lovely lady! Poor baby...he's just trying to get over a cold...geez. I know it's been a while, but I just signed up on here tonight. Just thought I'd comment on your little dilemna. Hopefully things are much better now! Talk to you later (possibly).

P.

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K.L.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am a at home daycare provider in Greenwood... not sure what area you are looking for??? I currently have a space open and can meet with you anytime. I currently keep 2 little boys ages..1 1/2 and almost 2. Feel free to call anytime ###-###-####.
Thanks
K.

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S.T.

answers from Elkhart on

Hello
If you decide to look for other childcare providers I would like to give you my number. I am a Licensed Substitute Teacher for the Elkhart Community Schools. I am staying home watching little ones until my 3 year old son starts school. So another 3-4 years. One of my girlfriends also does child care out of her home.
My name and number S. ###-###-####.
My girlfriend's name and number Misty ###-###-####.
Thanks
S.

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J.P.

answers from Wheeling on

Sounds like this babysitter would be wonderful for the occasional night out. But working parents need dependability. But if you like everything else about the whole set up, try talking to her. But most likely your best bet is to call one of the numbers you already got on here. Im not even close to your area..but i had once been in this situation at a school daycare when i was in college. My daughter sneezed one time and i was pulled out of class....and they didnt want her back til i had a doctor say she was healthy. Of course i did what i needed to but it was always something...and beleive me with your babysitter it wont change unless she wants to and only you will know that when you talk to her. Good luck

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A.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hello S., here is my info, if you are ever interested in finding new daycare let me know. I live on the Southwest side of town and run an in-home daycare. My husband is a deputy so I ensure all children are safe in my home.

Precious Moments Daycare
M-F 6:30am - 6pm
Full Time - $85.00 per week
Part Time - $50.00 per week (anything under 20 hours)
Sibling Discount - $10.00 off
I have a contract for all parents to read over. I only take off on major holidays. Other than that, I am open Mon. - Fri., if I have to take one of the kids to the Doctor or have an appt. myself, my husband covers for me so that I can do so. He is very involved in my business. A little about me: I am 25 and a mother of 4 children. My step-daughter is 8, my son is 7, my daughter is 4 and my newest addition is 1 month. I am very laid back but I also provide a learning experience as well. Hope everything works out for you. Like I said, if interested you can email me at ____@____.com

Have a great day!

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W.S.

answers from Decatur on

well i've got a 5 year old that starts next year at school and i watch a now 9week old and a 3 year old i get sick and i still babysit and even when they are sick i keep them i understand people have to work just like everyone else.I only babysit monday - friday ecause of other things on weekends but even if its not my day they come over.I think maybe you should look into getting a new sitter. i do it in my home and would love to have another child here for the other kids to play. I am a easy going i just ask the kids to clean up toys and not to fight over any. I've got 3 kids of my own so there shouldn't be any fighting over toys. i'm on the south side by 65 and south keystone feel free to call me ###-###-####.

thanks
W.

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M.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have a WONDERFUL sitter. She is in Plainfield. Her rates are reasonable and she treats all the kids like her grandkids. She is always spoiling them and teaching them new things. You can tell all the children like to go to her. If yo want her number let me know. As I said she is in Plainfield, IN. Good Luck ,That is such a hard choice to make, I know!

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B.P.

answers from Owensboro on

Absolutely-that is ridiculous! The only time you should be called is in an emergency or if your child is sick-not because you child is fussy. Good grief! I would be looking for a new daycare provider. Her taking all of those holidays almost defeats the purpose of a daycare provider. My child is 2 1/2 and goes to a wonderful daycare. They mostly only take big national holidays-Christmas Day, New Year's Day, etc. They are very rarely closed. To me, that is one reason a daycare is so great-they are there no matter what-you can rely on them. In your situation-they only want to keep your child when it is convenient for them.

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L.G.

answers from Indianapolis on

I know it's hard to find good daycare, but I would look for someone more dependable. When I watched children, I treated them as if they were my own, and very seriously. If someone takes on a job of childcaring, they should bein it for the long hall, not just when it is better for them. You and your child deserve caring and dependability.

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