Child Care Problem?

Question

My son is 7 months old and has been going to his babysitter for 3 months now. He is nice and settled there and seems happy. The problem is though, she is running an in home daycare that is not yet certified. The ratio even in her hand book is not to be above 6:1. She just took on 2 more kids which makes her ration 7:1 and she has 3 of her own small children. I am very unhappy about this. She seems to think that the older children ranging from 2-8 can play together while she watches the 2 babies. I just don't see how she can take care of all those children. I want my child to have great care. I don't feel comfortable with the amount of children she is taking on, but I don't want to take my son from daycare to daycare either. How do I bring this up to her? What should I do? I am really upset about this.

Answer 1

If you are concerned that she is not certified and is breaking the rules, you should take your son elsewhere. If she is constantly taking on more than she is supposed to handle, is your son really getting the best care?

Answer 2

I would let her know how you feel and tell her that you really don't want to lose her as daycare provider but if she won't go back to the 6:1 ratio then you are pulling your child from her daycare. And then I would start checking into to others sources of daycare. I would not risk the safety of my child. And the ratio that you talk about is that many children at one time you can have 10 kids that you watch and as long as there are no more than 6 in the house at one time she would be alright. But if you don't feel you are getting the level of service you deserve. Then I would take my needs somewhere else.

Answer 3

She is breaking not only state rules by not being certified, but her own rules by taking more kids than she has promised to. And, in most places, young children who live in the home count towards the total number of children being cared for, so chances are she is way over the state law. Your child adjusted well to the situation and will most likely adjust to a new child care provider as well. Your current provider may seem to be doing a good job since she is giving the majority of her attention to the infants like your son, but what will happen in a year or so when he ages into the group that she lets "play together" while she cares for the newest baby? I would tell her that you are not happy with the number of children in the center, voice your concerns about the legality of it and let her know you are planning to remove your son as soon as a new provider can be found. Then, if it was me, I wuld point out that she could face stiff fines and possible criminal charges for failing to certify or follow state guidelines on number of children in the center.

Answer 4

You are WISE to be upset about this! She is not licensed. Licensed daycares need to have different licenses to have babies than to have preschoolers and afterschoolers! If she had a license, the license would say exactly how many children COULD be enrolled for each age. She would HAVE 'liability insurance' for each child, by name. She would have licensing dept personnel making sure she took good care of the children. Does this 'daycare' lady EVEN have extra people working with her? She is totally out of ALL lines of reasoning, if she is working alone. Babies need one type of attention, while preschoolers need another type. Children IN school need another type of attention, and her idea of having the 8 yr olds babysit the preschoolers is ridiculous!
I would not even BOTHER to talk to this woman before I checked out the licensed sitters in my area. I would find another daycare, and one that is licensed. Being licensed, the sitter would need to have gone through particular classes to learn HOW to 'sit' legally. Just because someone has had children who survived their childhood, or ARE doing it, does not mean that person has the proper knowledge of how to care for a child. (Everyone was not parent of the year!) As I said, you are very wise to have noticed this. Remember, when it becomes summer time, she will, probably, have many more children to care for.............illegally. A license MUST be posted where you can see it, when you walk into the home. It will tell how many children are allowed there. Check the date of the license, as well. Some are not re-licensed, after doing dangerous things, as you mention.

Answer 5

Wow, I have just had to deal with a similar problem. I recently took my 2 yr old out of daycare due to their staffing problems and my best friend volunteered to babysat for me. She did this for about a month and all of a sudden got a job without even asking me if I had other arrangements. I took her here and there for a few weeks until we couldn't take it anymore. Yesterday was her first day at her new preschool and I was terrified she would cry and be totally miserable. But guess what, she is so happy! She loves her new school and I love the fact that I don't have to worry about where she is during the day or if she is getting good care. If you have any doubts about how your child is taken care of, I would definately say it is time for a change! I can tell you from experience that is harder on you than it is on them!

Answer 6

It's time to shop for a new daycare! I decided against the home daycare option when I worked because I prefered the more controlled environment of the daycare center. You know they're not taking on too many kids; they have too much too lose by doing that.

My bigger concern with home daycares was also the people who not just lived in the home, but the person's friends who may pop by, too.

Good luck in your childcare search!

Answer 7

You can bring it up to her all you want, but the fact is, she isn't going to get rid of children to satisfy you. The only thing you can do is take your child daycare to daycare. Babysitters DO NOT make a lot of money....I know, I am one....and we are not going to turn away more income to make the parents happy. However, if you want to give her a huge pay raise to make up the difference of her loss, that's a different story.

Answer 8

Time to find a new daycare. That's way too many kids for one person. Who watches them when she goes to the bathroom?? I had a similar problem with a home daycare. My daugher goes to a center now and it's much better. They are much more regulated and there are plenty of staff members. In addition, you need to notify the Dept. of Children and Families about her - what she's doing is illegal and dangerous.

Answer 9

You have every right to be upset, those ratios are put into place for a reason. I suggest that you find a CERTIFIED daycare for your son. Just let her know that you were hasty in your initial choice and that you've since learned things that make you uncomfortable (not licensed, over child ratio).

Answer 10

You need to trust your instinct. (Keep in mind that some women are very good at taking care of a large amount of children. Think about moms of 8 or more kids. ) Sit down with her and ask her is having your young child makes it harder for her to perform what she needs to to care for the rest of the kids. Let her know that you are worried she may be overworked and you are considering putting your baby in another place with more adult help. Think about the care your child is recieving. Is she clean and happy when you pick her up and how does she react when you drop her off?