Wondering About My Childcare Provider-

Please keep in mind as I write this that it is just MY opinion and it is not meant to hurt anybody's feelings or intended to make anyone mad enough to send me emails on how I made them "sad".
I moved here from California about 6 months ago and was appauled when I learned the ratios in this state. It is just so alarming. I cannot understand how any mother can leave their children with a "home care provider" who is not listed (which means absolutely nothing anyways) or registered. Thinking people are good isn't enough these days. I understand (beleive me) that some people have difficult financial situations that do not permit them to enroll their children in a registered facility that would meet higher standards, I am a mom of two children a 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old son, when I had my son I stayed home almost 2 years because I didn't have a relative that could take care of him, it was a huge SACRIFICE, things were not easy, sometimes we barely got by on my husbands salary but WE decided it was better to live a modest life for a while and give my children what they deserved.
I am a strong beleiver that children under 2 should not be in any other type of care outside their mothers/grandmothers and maybe aunts. Children who cannot talk cannot tell you what is going on where they are at. I was sometimes overwhelmed by being home all the time with them and not working, but I realized that I BROUGHT MY CHILDREN INTO THIS WORLD and they deserved my time when they needed it the most.
I beleive that the low temperature issue is not acceptable, if you can't afford to keep your house at least at 70 degrees (and I mean the actual temp not what you set your themorstat at) you should not be caring for children. The low temp may not actually cause your children to be sick but it will sure make them really uncomfortable through out a long day. Also having your baby in a car seat or on the floor all the time is not acceptable either, there should be times where she is holding the baby and spending time with him/her.
The dog is also an issue, large pets should not be around infants or young children unless they are your own. It would be different if she brought him in once in a while for the children to enjoy while her attention is focused on this activity. I am not trying to judge anyone here but too often I hear mothers worried about situations like these only to brush it off and keep doing what they are doing because they have no other way. I don't beleive that for a second. I know what it is like I have been there.
I work full time now and both my children are in a registered center where they are doing great, but trust me those two years I spent home with my children were not easy but VERY necessary.

Good luck!

humm.... i would definately change your situation.

If you want to look at my postings, i had posted a while back for a "baby sitting co-op". I never found anyone close enough. I have been hiring outside childcrare lately to keep up wth my work and have a date or two with my husband, but i really cannot afford it. I have told my parents (who i work part-time for) that i will be quitting this summer/fall because working isn't doing any good if i have to pay childcare. I was thinking of starting a home day care (i actually just posted a question on this as well)to be at home with my kids. Let me know if you are interested in trading hours. You sound like your standards are as high as mine!!

Have you brought your concerns to her? I personally wouldn't be comfortable with that at all. The dog near so many babies is just not a good idea, and kids should never be cold. Especially not cold to the touch! And if she's not holding your baby, what sort of care is she providing?

Hi K.,

It sounds to me like you already know what you should do! If ever you feel things aren't right, even if she has been watching your child since she was 10 mos old I would definately find someone else! I'm not at all being judgemental towards you but I live by a 75 yr old lady who IS licensed by the state(Maggie Daniels) in Arlington who should not be watching children and who was watched for 7 minutes by CPS and caught outside blowing leaves and doing yard work while she had 4 children in her home under the age of 4! I have witnessed how she is around the parents when they come to pick their kids up(very sweet and interacts with the children real well) but ive also witnessed how she is when the parents are not there and it is completely differant. She will put the kids in time-out if they dont eat their food, she would talk about their race in front of them, talk about how bad they were to me and yell at them when they would cry or wet their pants! I saw this first hand and called CPS to investigate her. All i'm trying to say is go with your instinct. There are alot of child care providers that would not have these issues around your precious kids. I know of a lady who watched my daughter, she lives in Arlington but she was so trust worthy and very reasonably priced. I will give you her name if you would like but even if the only thing wrong with your kids babysitter is that she keeps the house too cold then thats enough! Your kids should never be that cold. She should care more about their comfort. I don't feel thats too much to ask when your running a daycare out of your home! I hope this helps!

I agree with the prior post about just going with your gut instinct.

Since little children spent a great deal of time on the floor, she has to keep it warm in there... for them. IF they're cold to the touch, that can't make them feel good. Just because she's an in-home provider doesnt' mean she shouldn't have a license to run the daycare in her home. They have state laws and regulations that providers must obide by... and ratios they must not exceed. If you're paying for nothing more thana place to PUT your children during the day, who not try to find a place that will STIMULATE them instead. I"m not saying your 5 year old needs a program or schooling... just saying that something that will challenge her to work and play and create and imagine.... instead of watching someone feed and change diapers all day... may not be a bad thing.

I would have concerns over the dog too... we have a large dog and I'd never let him out and about with little ones around -- that's just asking for an accident.

Your children have to come over any guilty feelings you have about possibly severing the business relationship. You gotta do what's best for you and your kiddos. :)

Good luck.

I've never understood why people would place their children in home care in the first place. A lot of them are not monitored by the state or the health department. I understand saving money, but at what cost? It has been my experience that 1 person can watch 4 infants, a 1 to 4 ratio. Anything over that is against the state minimum, not to mention adding other age groups to the mix. She is completely out of compliance and I would be looking for another place for my children, despite how you feel about the woman. She has a dog she allows to roam around the house and no matter how trained the dog may be, he still has teeth. Have teeth, will bite. It seems to me there is not a lot of structure there and with your daughter being at the age where she is to start school soon, don't you want her learning more? This seems to be a no brainer. Good luck.

K., your taking the time to write the question means you already know the answer. I'm listed by the state - and can only watch 3 other children other than my own two - I personally have held off watching because mine are 2 1/2 and 16 months and I want to dedicate most attention to them. I think her hands are too full - kids are not an easy income....

What temperature do you consider low? I keep mine at 68 degrees. Can't go broke heating the house. Also you don't get sick from the temperature being low you get sick from being around other people that are sick. If you feel they are cold dress them warmer. I am a registered child care provider. A person is not suppose watch children unless they are listed with the state. If you are listed you are not suppose to watch any more than three children and that includes her own. A person that is registered is allowed to watch more but in Allen you can only watch 6 including your own. Also there are certain age groups you are allowed to watch. I think you should go some where else that is at least listed. There is nothing wrong with floor time unless she is not right by the baby to protect him. When a baby is that small I have them in the room with me most of the time. I have pets but do not allow them by the children unless I am right their with all of them. I don't trust any animal no matter what.
I thinks it's time to look elsewhere.
Lonie

As a inhome provider I would never do any of this! I know people who have animals let them around the children, but I still do not think it is right (expecialy with the ages of infants). Plus if she is not even listed you should report that she is doing daycare, watching tomany children for the ratio(no matter how crappy i think it is), and leave. There are many providers out here that go about doing things the leagal way, to make the familys we care for happy. I always have my tempeture in the house set at 73, plus in the morning to help heat up the daycare rooms i have a non-tip heater on before kids even start to arrive. It stays nice in the rooms all day. Just remember these are the most precious people in your life, they deserve the best!

These are some recommended guidelines for child ratio. She's definitely got more kids than is recommended she watch. Also, Texas has some legal guidelines I'm sure, I just don't know what they are.

I've been a nanny for 7 years and these are the guidelines I follow:

Birth to 18 months- 1 caregiver : 3 children
and in mixed age groups with babies, it is recommended that the above ratio is followed. (So if I have a child who is 5, then I can only care for two babies to maintain the ratio)

Go with your gut!

R.

These are your children. Listen to your gut. Don't second guess yourself and kick yourself later. You are the only one who can protect them! They depend on you for that!!

Also, what kind of big dog is it?? Some dogs get bothered by children. Do some research.

Hello K.,
I am a childcare provider myself and all the things that you are noticing is enough for you to move the children to a new place without question. I understand that you have gotton close to her but for the children's sake move them somewhere licensed and where you are certain that your children are in HEATED facility where they are under constant supervision.

I am sorry K., but the situation sounds bad and illegal. If she has four or more children under her care at one time, she must be liscenced by the state. It is for the safety of the children, because it makes sure she follows all rules to ensure the safety of each and every child under her care and it guarantees that someone is keeping an eye on her when you cannot. SHe would need a certain amount of space in her home depending on how many kids she cares for. If there are four children under 18 months, she is required to hire another employee to care for the others. These, among other rules, save children's lives on a yearly basis. I urge you to consider other childcare. It sounds like you are close to her and she may give you a deal on childcare that you may not get from a licsenced provider, but she is also a huge liability when it comes to your children's safety. At this point, if something happened to your child on her watch, it would be on your concious because you have questioned her abilities as a safe provider. If you have any doubts about your childcare provider, trust your instincts.

K.

Leaving our children with anyone other than family I personally think has to be one of the hardest choice working moms make. Know one loves and knows our children like we do... But there are some daycare providers who come VERY close.

If you don't feel right or your gut is telling you it's not good , personal relationships aside you have to go with that.

Maybe you need to sit down and talk with her first and at least express your concerns. She can think because of your friendship you are okay with how things are being run. However, with her not being licensed she really doesn't have to follow any standards other than ones you may ask of her.

It's heart breaking that she is not doing more activities with them. She may be overwhelmed.

But K. those are your blessings and you know them best and if you don't like the care then only you can do anything about it.

My in home daycare provider is phenomenal, my four year old is beyond ready for Kindergarten and my one year old has his time also. She plans activities and follow a schedule.

I truly wish you the best and hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Where is she located? Im asking b/c Ive heard the same thing from another mom.

I would get my children out of that situation while your ahead! It would put your mind to rest and add structure and education to your kids lives if you were to move to a good school. I have the perfect school in mind. It is Primrose School of Forest Creek. It is located in Plano off of Hedgcoxe. The phone number is ###-###-####. This school offers full and part time programs so it sounds like it would work with your schedule. With the dog and the "free roaming" of the house, I would hate for somthing to happen to one of your kids, or one of the others... Good luck, and I hope you find a new situation to put your children in.

Good Luck!

I think the fact that you're on here asking our advice is reason enough to think something is wrong. Don't let your personal relationship/loyalty get in the way of protecting your children. :)

This doesn't sound like a good situation. I was going to keep kids in my house and I was told by the state I could only keep 1 infant under a year old. I could keep two toddlers with that 1 infant. I think you should probably take your kids somewhere else. I know it hard finding affordable care but get in ggod with some other christian moms and you can ususally do a trade schedule. (You know I'll watch yours if you watch mine) I hope this works for you. Think of your children first, friendships can be fixed later.

I was in a similar situation with an in home care provider. There are some really great ones out there but if you are having any reservations at all then you should go with your intuition, mom's are usually right. You can tell her that you want to enroll your 4 year old in a preschool program and it will be easier to take both to one place and usually you get a discount at most childcare facilities for enrolling more than one child. Good Luck.

Hi there,

I'm only going to comment about the temperature since you have gotten plenty of advice about your provider.

I used to work as a nanny and the house I was working in had their temp. set to 65 degrees. It was the most uncomfortable thing to work with. I was cold all the time an got sick twice. I used a scarf, hat and gloves indoors!! of course they wanted to save money on the electricity bill but at the price of their baby's health???

anyways, the thing is if YOU feel uncomfortable and cold and shivering when you go into your provider's home, you bet your kids are cold and uncomfortable too. Babies and children are even more sensitive to this stuff than adults.

so I would def. either say something or just take my kids somewhere else.

Good luck and God bless.

The state allows a provider to keep four infants (under the age of 18 months) in a group of six children. Seven children...three infants. There are definite regulations for registered homes. Some areas also allow group day homes where there can be as many as 12 children in a registered home...but the provider must hire an assistant. Depends on the city. Irving does not allow group day homes anymore.

If a pet is loose in the house around the children...each family must sign an affidavid stating they are aware and not bothered by that situation. I would be greatly bothered by it and would never allow my dog around the children. She is crate trained and goes out doors while the children are indoors. She's in the crate if she's indoors at the same time as they are. This is for their safety and hers.

Children need time on a pallet on the floor if the parent gives approval. That's the only way an infant learns to roll, sit, crawl, and walk. My group has times to spend in their play area under supervision. When they are old enough to travel to the larger play area on their own...then they are allowed time there with the older children. Always closely supervised.

I'd have issue with the temperature of the room and the dog...for sure.

When there are children in my home, I am working. The children are my work. I don't do my housecleaning or take care of personal matters. I have evenings and weekends to use for those things just like a mother who works outside the home. When the children are all napping is when I sit down for a break. I eat lunch with them. But...I'm a child care provider not a babysitter. My goal is to help your child have good learning and life experiences while in my care.

Talk with your provider and give her a chance to work with you, if you think she's worth it. I'd want to know if the parents of my group had concerns.

Otherwise, look elsewhere.

http://www.missbrenda.com

go with your gut honey. i actually run a home based child care of my own. i am licensed and can "legally" keep more than one infant at one time however i've always made it a practice to not keep more than one infant at a time. it's doable but i know i would feel that i wouldn't be able to give the other children the care i feel they deserve if i had more than one infant to care for. i would just tell her that you're looking for more of a curriculum based place for your older child and do what cha gotta do.

also, if you're looking for another home based child care for your children i would go to the texas dep of protective service’s website, there you can search for licensed homes in your zip code area. i have put the link bellow for you incase you need it.

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_care/search_texas_child...

best of luck to ya,
C. white