inhome daycare help

salesmom · October 2012

A neighborhood lady started taking care of my kinder after school as her daughter is also in kinder. In December she will start taking care of my newborn. when we initially agreed to the arrangement back in august, she mentioned she wouldn't take in any more kids (she also has a 2 year old).

I found out last week that she offered to take care of a 5 month old starting asap! I am not sure if it will happen but just the fact they is willing to take on another child without talking to me has me concerned. I feel like a newborn, a 5 month old and a 2 year old during the day is a lot to handle and then our two 5 year olds after school. I'm now debating on putting my child in the daycare my daughter grew up in and loved. My thinking is if the babysitter is going to look after more than 2 kids, which is what we were initially trying to avoid, then we might as well let someone who is certified, equipped, etc take care of it.

What do you think? Its delicate as i still want her to keep my daughter after school. I like this lady and I'm not mad as she needs to do what she needs to do for herself - it just won't be a great fit like we thought it would be. Suggestions?

Mrs.RockyM · October 2012

You pay her to watch your child, and I don't think she owes you any sort of heads up or needs your approval to take in another child. I personally think that a newborn, a 5 month old a 2 year old and then 2 5 year olds is too much for one person, and I'd look elsewhere for your newborn. Just say that it's not going to work with the newborn, but you'd love it if she could still watch DD when she comes home from school. Just keep in mind that she may be upset and say no - and so I'd start looking into other alternatives for your 5 year old.

jlaOK · October 2012

It kind of seems like she's operating as an unlicensed home daycare center. In that case she doesn't have to ask you before she takes on more kids. Her ratios are within my states guidelines so I think it's doable, although I do think it is a lot.

Bottom line if you aren't comfortable with it then don't send your newborn there. Tell her that you still want to send your 5 year old to her but that you think a center will be a better fit for your newborn.

AZ123 · October 2012

I don't think it is the best fit because think of what the day will be like for your newborn. he/she will be all over the place based on the needs of the others in terms of eating, not being able to nap when it is time to do pick up from school, etc.

niknak7 · October 2012

Those ratios are lower than in-homes in my state allow. My state allows 2 kids under 2 and 4 from 2-6 years old and then 6 more kids of school age all with one adult. Most states allow a 1 to 4 ratio for newborns in a center so you won't really do any better. If she is registered with your state, I don't see the issue if you are happy with the care she provides.

salesmom · October 2012

thank you guys for the replies. yes i really like it its just the exact situation we didn't want. I completely get her wanting to take more in as he needs to do what's best for her and I know she doesn't have to ask me but the fact she wasn't going to take any more weighed heavily on our decision to go with her. We still really like her and like I said, hope to have my daughter still stay with her after school. I"ll talk to my husband tonight and get his take on it. hopefully I can phrase it to her in a way she won't be upset or offended! She isn't registered with the state or certified, but I think she said she is working on it.

lovebug33 · October 2012

I wouldn't feel comfortable having my children in an unlicensed daycare, period. I have a friend whose nephew was irreparably damaged in an unlicensed home situation and I am very leery about where I leave my child.

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