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I became a home daycare provider after I had my second child. Since I left my job to be home with my kids, I wanted to have another way of earning money while being home. In addition, I love kids and wanted to provide them a safe place to stay while their parents were at work. For the most part, I had an amazing time during my time as a childcare provider, but with good moments there are moments that could be better. If you have a childcare provider for your little one here are 10 ways you can help your child’s home daycare provider.
Without open communication, parents and providers will never be able to 100% understand the needs of each other. Since parents instill trust in their childcare providers, it’s important for them to know the needs and thoughts of who they chose to watch their child. Here are a few ways that parents can help:
- Be On Time: During the interview process, often times, the potential caregiver will ask you what your child’s drop off and pick up time will be. It’s important that you try and stick with these times as close as possible. Doing this helps your childcare provider better plan her day with the kids.
- Communicate: If you are going to arrive early or late or if your child will not be at daycare make sure to call or text the caregiver.
- Focus: When you drop off and pick your child up, make sure that you are focused on your little one. A few ways to do this is by having your phone in your pocket or purse when you pick your child up. Your child wants your undivided attention. They want to hug you, kiss you and tell you everything they did for the day.
- Listen: Make sure that you listen to the provider when they are sharing your child’s accomplishments and things they need to work on with you. Your childcare provider is around your little one over 9 hours a day and they want you to know how they are doing.
- Team Work: Everyone knows that kids act differently around their parents than they do around their childcare provider. To be honest, normally kids act worse around their parents and give them a harder time, which makes it understandable why parents stress out or give up when they try and implement a new change in their life. For example, a child will create a huge tantrum if their parents try and minimize their pacifier usage, but they will not resist as much when their childcare provider minimizes it. Oftentimes, the child will even hand them their pacifier at the door! This can be extremely stressful for the parents but it is still important for both sets of adults to help the child grow and not create confusion for the child. In another word, it’s important for both parties to be consistent.
- Donate: Daycare providers truly appreciate donations. These donations can consist of toiletries (toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes), extra snacks, art supplies, gently used toys, batteries and more.
- Payday: I think that everyone can agree that it’s always fun to look forward to payday. Unfortunately, for many daycare providers, their payday is not consistent from week to week with each parent. Make sure you pay the person taking care of your child on time. Their job is hard and most likely they love it but even though they love it they deserve and need to get paid.
- Be Honest: If you have a concern, it’s important to let your childcare provider know. We want to make sure we are on the same page because we are around your kids a lot and we love them a lot.
- Sick Kids: Secretly bringing your sick kid and hoping the Tylenol you gave them will last and give you at least 4 hours at the office is not cool. Childcare providers cannot afford to get sick and the parents of the other children can’t afford to miss work because of your sick kid. Don’t be uncool, keep your sick kids at home.
- Have a Back Up: In most cases, home daycare providers are working alone. At times I have provided a substitute caregiver to watch the kids if I had a doctor’s appointment but that was not always possible. It’s important to understand that even for caregivers life happens and we hate to inconvenience a group of parents by taking off unexpectedly or having to open or close early. I always tell my parents to have a backup for these unexpected moments.
I have loved each child that I cared for and fell in love with most of their parents. More times than not, my daycare families would slowly become our family. It was a wonderful thing but even with your family it’s important to communicate with each other and know how you can help one another.
Are you a home daycare provider? How can your daycare parents help you?
You might also enjoy:
How to Start an In-Home Daycare
10 Ways You Can Help Your Child’s Home Daycare Provider
What Not to Do When You Drop Your Child Off at Daycare
Questions to Ask A Daycare Provider Before Hiring Them
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