What Do You Look for in a Child Care Provider?
@cynicalandoutspoken (4725)
United States
September 10, 2009 1:23pm CST
I'm headed back to work next week and am in desperate need of a part time baby sitter for my 3 younger children.
Basically I need someone to get my kids off the bus and make sure they do their homework. (can you believe my avatar is already in head start?)
Except for Thursdays then my avatar will need to be watched all 8 hours since she doesn't go to Head Start on that day.
I am paying a total of $50 a week for 12 hours of watching 1 child and an extra 5 hours of watching 2 more kids. So its not like someone can live off of what I'm paying them but every day of the work week they are out of here at 3:30 so they can take another job if they need/want.
My problem is so far I haven't liked anyone who has applied for the job.
I thought the one girl was too young at 19 even though I had a 2 year old by the time I was 19. She just didn't strike me as dependable.
I thought another lady lived too far away even though it would only take her 25 minutes to get here. She could make me late for work if she gets stuck in traffic on her way here. But maybe I'm just using that as my excuse because of the reputation of the place she lives.
The last woman I saw I felt wouldn't be able to chase my avatar without needing oxygen and there is no way she would be able to fit in the places my avatar hides.
I'm so horrible I even told two other women who called that the position was filled because they didn't speak proper English when I answered the phone. I can't help it, the last thing I need is to come home and have my daughter say..Yo Yo Yo Momz is back in the hizzouse! And that isn't be being racist, its just in my house Ebonics is not an acceptable form of communication.
So I'm asking my fellow mylotters what WOULD YOU look for in a child care provider of a 3, 7, and 8 year old.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@cynicalandoutspoken (4725)
• United States
11 Sep 09
I know what you mean. If she smells like Barley Water the deal is off! :)
Mary Poppins is my avatars favorite movie! Unfortunately she walks around saying 'Ello 'Ello when she meets someone new. I tell her she's not British and she just looks at me funny.
@StarBright (2798)
• United States
10 Sep 09
Just to be clear, are you saying you are paying $50. for 17 hours of work? If so, what you need is a good friend and neigbor. A real good friend and neighbor. Maybe ebonics as a second language is not so bad after all if she lives close and is willing to take you on until you get on your feet.
I would look for someone who has references and a big heart. I would see how they get on with my kids and me. My number one rule when I worked was the babysitter always got what she wanted because she was Mom when I was not there. I paid her well and showered her with gifts. I did not always make a lot of money, but she knew I shared what I had with her unselfishly. We were both two women trying to make it.
1 person likes this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
11 Sep 09
Let me first say that your posts are as enjoyable as always…you just don’t seem so active here nowadays, and yes, I’m complaining…
Next is, baby sitters I don’t know about the US but here in India, we have to do with whomever we manage to employ simply coz they are all the same. Once you keep you kids under somebody else for a considerable part of the day, God is your one and only friend with whom you should communicate every five seconds and hope that all will be well at the end of the day. I’m serious coz I have personal experience on this. No matter how clean and efficient and capable they look, once you are out of the house, they will just ensure the child’s safe and that’s all. Moreover, no matter how much you insist on it, they will use their own language and words with the kids. So even if the babysitter is of your race, there’s no guarantee that your avatar wont pick up ‘different’ words as fast as she possibly can. One thing you must remember Cyn is that the mother has no replacement. It’s a sad truth for all of us working mothers and we can only keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. I would suggest you leave so much worrying over so many issues (the ifs and buts are never ending where our little devils are concerned) aside and search with an open mind and with the acceptance that nobody is best for your kids but you! Since that is not possible, settle for the second best…maybe like a middle aged lady with previous experience and a warm smile. Teenagers are not too dependable, I think.
@cynicalandoutspoken (4725)
• United States
11 Sep 09
I find I don't have nearly as much to say these days. Married life has calmed me a little too much if you ask me. But I will post at least 1 discussion a week to feed your obsession. 
I have experience with this too unfortunately. My own step brother ended up being tossed out on his ear because he left the water running in the bathroom and "fell asleep" when he was supposed to get the kids at their day camp. So he left my kids stranded and almost flooded my house all in one day.
I don't think teenagers are dependable either. I was one. I remember my needs still came first until I had my first kid.
It also doesn't help that as a rule I just don't like people in general. But I still have 3 more to interview before Monday. We'll see how that goes.
I have experience with this too unfortunately. My own step brother ended up being tossed out on his ear because he left the water running in the bathroom and "fell asleep" when he was supposed to get the kids at their day camp. So he left my kids stranded and almost flooded my house all in one day.
I don't think teenagers are dependable either. I was one. I remember my needs still came first until I had my first kid.
It also doesn't help that as a rule I just don't like people in general. But I still have 3 more to interview before Monday. We'll see how that goes.
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
12 Sep 09
The ability to lick their eyebrows and still smile, for the times the kids throw food around. Think about it. That actually covers a gamut of qualities in a good sitter! LOL
@cynicalandoutspoken (4725)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I would feel odd looking for a quality in a sitter that I looked for in a husband. heheheehhe :)
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
11 Sep 09
When my son was young, and I was looking for a sitter for my son I was pretty picky too. I didn't want some one so young that they were more like playmates.
The best sitter I ever found, was discovered by calling the local senior center. While older, many people there still have lots of energy and love to give.
The woman I found was wonderful. Some days she can to my home, other days my son went to her house. While in her care, she gave my son her undivided attention. It was a terrific arrangement for everyone concerned. Many seniors living on a fixed income might appreciate the extra income too.
@cherrc (661)
• Philippines
11 Sep 09
hi there. it's really hard to choose the right person for that job. these are babies u're entrusting. i agree with u that it has nothing to do about racism. the best thing u can do is to lay down the cards to anyone would be interested for that position. like: 1. love kids 2. knows how to tame and to play with them 3. can speak properly (not colloquial) 4. afaraid of committing any crime against kids. 5. always on time. 6. tidy... list could go on...
i believe u really have to tell all ur concerns because it will take a lot of patience to deal with kids. i hope this would help. good luck. :)
@cynicalandoutspoken (4725)
• United States
11 Sep 09
I tell everyone straight out that if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late just call and tell me you quit because if I am late or "absent" from my employer 1 time I get written up, 2 times I get fired. So punctuality is as important to my list as proper english. lol
Thanks for your comment.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Sep 09
That's a lot of hours, a lot of kids and not a lot of money. You really do get what you pay for.
You do need someone dependable, reliable and honest. You need someone who likes kids and likes looking after them and knows how to look after them. Ideally the person would know your children and they would know her so in the case of a stranger you would need to see something of them (family outings, visits et al) and akll get to know each other before the paid work actually starts.
The person looking after your precious children is extremely important.
