Conference moira::parenting

Monica,

Since you've been away on maternity leave, a new benefit has been introduced
here in the Ottawa/Hull area.  Digital has contracted Alquin Consultants from
Montreal to assist employees in selecting adequate daycare for their kids.
The ultimate purpose of this benefit is so that if/when us parents find
adequate daycare and are ready if anything happens to our current daycare
provider, then we will be more efficient at work and will not have to worry
about these types of things.

In any case, I've used the service a couple of weeks ago and was quite happy
with it.  They can give you all kinds of information on how to select a
daycare provider, the daycare centers around your area, and other alternatives.

Call personel here in Hull and they'll give you the number to call in Montreal.

Mario

    I don't know where to put this, so I will put it in this deadend
    note I myself started some time ago.
    Since it involves daycare perhaps it is not totally inappropriate.
    As I mentioned somewhere else, I have found a private home to bring
    Charlotte to.
    While I am still lap feeding her, she snacks on teething cookies in her
    highchair and will soon be using it more often. I am now unable to
    decide what arrangements I will make with the caregiver over this.
    To lug the highchair (a fisherprice) to her everyone morning would be
    very annoying.
    She suggests to get one of those hang-on chairs for the baby, and is
    presently asking around the neighborhood if anyone has a spare one.
    I personally find them not very secure, and do not feel that Charlotte
    (who is about 23 pounds now at 7.5 months) is small enough for them.
    The alternative though, is to get another highchair.
    Ideas?
    I sort of decided that it is worth my piece of mind to get another
    full highchair. But even 2nd hand (which might be a little tricky to
    find) it seems a redundant expense.
    You stories/comments appreciated.
    
    Monica

    Monica,
    
    We went through the same thing with Sarah's provider.  She didn't have
    a high chair available for Sarah and asked if we could provide one. 
    Like you, I didn't want to lug her high chair back and forth,
    especially since Sarah does use hers for each meal.  We ended up buying
    one second hand, in excellent condition, for $25.  An added expense,
    yes, but definitely worth it. This way I know exactly what she is
    sitting in and what condition the chair is in.  I feel more comfortable
    that way.
    
    Sometimes you just have to throw money at the problem 8^{}
    
    Susan

	Monica,

	We use a "hang-on" chair for Emily every day.  We received
	it as a shower gift, and it was Emily's first high chair.  We
	LOVE it!  I find it very secure (there are explicit instructions
	on what not to do - things that would make in unsafe).  Emily
	virtually swims in the real high chair that we have, (picked up
	at a yard sale for $20 - never used before!) so we hardly even
	use it.  I don't think you'd have a problem with Charlotte's size. 
        Emily is about 19 pounds now, and still has lots of room.  Our friends' 
        2 year old uses it when they come over, with no problems.

	just my 2 cents,
	Karen

    re -1
    
    True while size may not be a major factor consider the childs activity
    level.  I used my hang on for both of my boys while traveling etc.  We
    never had a problem.  While I was taking care of a friends daughter, we
    used the hang-on chair on occaision when we had two infants at the
    table.  One day as I was cleaning up my son and getting him down to the
    floor, the other baby became quite active and jiggled to the point that
    one side of the chair came off the table and (luckily she was strapped
    in) she was hanging by the other chair rail.  She was still jiggling
    and cooing....glad I caught her in time!
    
    I, too, believe the $$ may afford you more piece of mind than pain of
    checkbook.  There are alot of used stores here in the states, maybe you
    can locate one in your area, too.  I have a highchair that is
    approximately 30 years old that we are still using on a regular basis -
    and my mom has on just like it that is also in great shape.
    
    -sandy
    

    
    Monica,
    	I too don't like the hang on chairs very well. What I asked for and
    got last Christmas when Anna was 7 months old is a "portable" high
    chair. Basically it's a booster seat that straps on to a chair and it
    has an attachable tray. I took this everywhere with me and still now.
    Now we use it as a booster seat without the tray at our own dinner
    table (Anna is now 19 months old). There is a strap to keep your child
    secure, you know just like a high chair strap where it's got the piece
    that comes up between the legs, etc. The one I have is by Pansy Ellen.
    It's fairly inexpensive: less than $30 regular price and close to $20
    when on sale, if my memory serves me correctly. Most of the discount
    stores and/or toy stores carry it. Just call around or check the sale
    circulars. I see it on sale fairly regularly. I love it and am so glad
    I have it.
    
    Patty

    Monica,
    
    We bought a couple of weeks ago a "Evenflo Snack & Play" for Chelsea.
    It's what I call a lowchair...has a nice tray, gives her plenty of
    support and she likes it (very important too!).  It can also be used
    strapped onto a chair or as a booster seat when the child gets older.
    
    It works great in the morning...after her bottle, I put her in it with
    lots of toys on the tray, park her in front of the TV and usually buy
    myself a good 30 minutes to get dressed and ready for work.  We went
    out of town this weekend and it was really easy to transport...light
    weight and compact.
    
    Got ours at Toys 'R Us .. think it was about $30......
    
    Good Luck! 

    My thoughts on this so far:
    1. I wlll be willing to spend money for piece of mind.
    2. will have to dedicate some time to looking through the personal ads
       in the news paper for such things.
    3. New highchair will go from $70-$90 (in CANADIAN Funds) which is
    rather pricey.
    4. Still feel a little uncomfortable about the hangons since Charlotte 
    is now at the "arms in legs flying in absolute glee" stage most of the
    time.
    
    So....
    (Stewart Brook ALMOST solved the problem by offering me a 2nd hand
    highchair for a great price - then his next email noted that he had 
    forgotten that it had been sold last month. oh pooh!)
    
    I will look into whether or not the booster style chair might be 
    available here in Canada.
    
    I do not think Ottawa has a 2nd hand store for such things.
    
    Monica

    
    Monica,
    
    I was never big on the "hang on" chairs myself, but my daycare provider 
    has one that she uses for Michael every day, and likes it very much.
    Once I observed him in it enough, I felt he was safe. As far as weight
    and "activity" level, I don't think you'd have a big problem. Michael
    is an escape artist (See "high chair woes" note), and so far hasn't
    been able to get out of this one.
    
    Although, if it were me, I would probably opt for the "booster seat"
    type chairs that are available now. Not only would this save space in
    your daycare providers home, it seems to me that these chairs are
    sturdy and will outlast the "hang on" type, size and weight-wise for
    the child. 
    
    Good Luck in your search.
    
    Chris
    

    One reason Michael can't get out is because there is nothing for his
    feet to set on for support in pushing him out.  This is one good
    feature!
    
    It is recommended that when you use them be sure there are no chairs,
    etc under the seat for the child to push off from.
    
    -sandy
    

    Hi...
    
    	I am expecting my first child later this summer.  I am going to be 
    using home daycare.  I want to know what type of interview questions
    did everyone in the file use when screening potential daycare
    providers.  I have some basic questions, but am interested in what type
    of things were important to you in a provider and how did the
    negotiations go?
    
    	I am looking for advice on:
    
    		-  scheduling
    		-  pay
    		-  daily routines - ( I do not want the baby left in the
    				      crib all day or in front of the TV
    				      for entertainment)
    		-  vacation
    		-  illness
    
    	What type of things were important to you when you selected  a
    daycare provider?   Did anyone out there ever run a background
    investigation on their sitter?  Thanks for any advice!
    
    Lisa

    Please also see the following related notes:
    
    Note 45.0               Looking for Nanny, Nanny Agencies  
    Note 112.0          Daycare Expectations - hours, purpose...     
    Note 196.0       Nanny compensation: pay, benefits, taxes, etc.
    Note 338.0           Daycare (When did you start looking)??   
    
    
    

    
    Some things that we ran into as Problems, that you might want to be
    sure you check out ahead of time ....
    
    - Does the provider or anyone who visits, smoke?  Does she allow
    smoking in the house?
    
    - What is her expected schedule, in relation to "going out"?  How often
    does she expect she'd need to "run an errand" or whatever?  For how
    long?  Does she bring the kid(s)?  How does she transport them?  What
    about car seats?
    
    - How many children, at what ages, will she be watching?
    
    - If she's sick, does she have arrangements with someone else to watch
    the kids?
    
    - How "sick" is too sick for you to bring your kids?
    
    - What about payment when there are no services?  Usually I've had to
    pay if it's MY choice to not bring the kids, but if I can't bring them
    because the sitter's sick, then I don't have to pay.  She also gets 2
    weeks vacation (paid) each year, as well as a few holidays (most of
    which I have off anyway).
    
    - If she doesn't have a car, if something were to happen to one of the
    kids, how would she get them to the Dr/hospital?  I'd be a little leary
    if she has to hesitate about this one, or is relying on a neighbor.
    
    We had one woman who had JUST quit smoking, and then started up again
    shortly after the kids got used to her.  It was awful to pick the kids
    up and have them stink of cig. smoke, and the winter months were
    unbearable.  She also would take the kids out when she needed to go out
    - or when they were bored.  Some times she'd use a car seat, sometimes
    she wouldn't, sometimes it was buckled, sometimes not.  Fortunately
    Chris was old enough to tell us!  But, when we asked her about it, she
    always swore that she used the seat and they were always buckled in. 
    After catching her red handed at that, that was enough.  It was also
    VERY inconvenient that she was out because I'd have to make
    arrangements if I decided to pick the kids up a little early.  
    
    Hope this helps!
    
    Patty

I have used the Digital sponsored Child Care referral services on three
ocassions now.

They (at least here in Arizona) send out a great booklet on what to look
for in childcare providers including a very useful checklist of what to
ask and look for.  They have different checklist for different types of
childcare situations (home daycare, center, family, etc.)

I used this checklist to make the inital screening calls and then again
when I narrowed down to actual visits.  It was very helpful and by
using it I asked consistent questions so that when it came down to
decison time I had all the information I needed.

BUT, the final decison all came down to a gut feel.  

Barbara

    
    
    My sister is currently due with her first child in December.
    She is in the stage of "interviewing" for potenital in-home daycare/
    babysitting.
    
    A while back in this file, there was a discussion on various 
    questions to include when interviewing for a daycare provider.
    Just a reference list of things a new Mom may not think about 
    yet.
    
    I've given her a couple {it was hard to remember that far back}
    like CPR certification, hours of operation, prices, beliefs on
    discipline, driving with your child, etc.
    
    Any and all questions would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Thanks much,
    
    -Patty

I snagged this from some version of PARENTING sometime along the way...
     but don't know who to credit at this point.
    
    cj/
    
    **********************************************************************
    
    NAME:					DIRECTOR:
    ADDRESS:					  EXPERIENCE:
    PHONE:					YEARS OPEN:
    
    
    1)  How many total kids?
    	at one time?
    	ratio of kids to teachers?
    
    2)	Hours?
    	late fee?
    	
    3)	Any regular days off?
    	snow days
    	holiday schedule
    
    4)	Days off for students?
    	sick or vacation days
    
    5)	Menus/food/snacks?
    	for younger child
    	for older child
    
    6)	Bathroom facilities?
    	monitored
    	considerations for older kids
    	toilet training  (where/how/when)
    
    7)	Overall impressions?
    	cheerful/ comfortable / happy
    	areas in room especially for quiet
    	cleanliness
    	number of toys: neat, organized, condition
    	arts and crafts
    	number of books:  types, organization, condition
    	free play: attitude, supervision, facilites, equipment
    	enthusiasm of staff for kids (loving?)
    
    8)	Music, creative movement, dance
    
    9)	Playground
    	facilities
    	supervision
    
    10)	How do they handle:
    	crying
    	fights
    	upset/sadness
    	transitions between activities
    	weaning
    	discipline
    
    11)	Typical day?
    	indoor/outdoor play
    	naps for older and younger child
    	Buses for olde child to integrate with kindergarden and grammar
    		school; procedure
    	For older child: types of activities to augment kindergaden
    
    12) Sick child policy?
    
    13)	Coverage for sick teachers?
    
    14)	Lots of physical interaction:  hugs
    	Attention to kids
    
    15)	General info|:
    	Rates:
    	Travel time:
    	references (2)
    
    
    ****************************************************************
     
    What are the ratios for the entire time your child is at the facility?
    (Ofc regulations do not require ratios be at the same levels during
    certain hours of operation)
    
    Use of Chemicals ( IE. bleach..w/no rinsing...pesticides)
    
    Benefits for staff ( ie. paid vacation, sick time etc.. A satisfied
    employee is one who stays and provides consistant care for your child)
       
    Communication paths ( how is the activities of the day communicated?
    Can you on a regular basis talk w/ the direct cargiver personally)
    
    

    
    Sick Policy - how strictly is it enforced?
    
    Do they have a parent group?  If so, how active is it?
    
    Who supervises the children on the playground?  Teachers?  Aides?
    
    Are there playground activities?
    
    Who owns the school?  Corporation?  Partnership?
    
    Who makes the decisions concerning policies/improvements?
    
    Who maintains the school?  Janitorial service?  Teachers?
    
    How consistant are they in following schedules?
    
    Do they cater to full time or part time children?