Day care - tell me if this should irritate me

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2304 Location: Washington State

Sean is in an onsite program before school. I drop him off on my way to work, He is there for about an hour each day. I picked up this letter when I signed my son in this morning.

nancw · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 745 Location: Denver, CO

I'm with you Colleen. My son is in a similar aftercare program. It makes me unhappy when I walk in at 5:20 and they are watching a movie. This happens rarely, but I don't pay them to let him watch TV. A lot of the late afternoon crafty things seem to be food related. I don't have to limit my son (he is either outside, playing Legos or in the gym anyway), but I hate to see all the not-in-good-shape kids (girls mostly) eating sugary stuff every day.

As far as the party, I'd address your concerns to the program director. They should use already existing funds to pay for the party. I'd bet you aren't the only one who is unhappy about this. Let us know what happens.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, corn, yeast and 99% grain-free

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 3942 Location: Nebraska

This would tick me off too, though I'd be more worried about the precedents they're setting (sugary food and movies all day are OK).

OTOH, I don't know how often this happens. If it's a once a year thing, that wouldn't be too bad. But they don't give that impression when they call it an unbirthday party.

Do you have a babysitter? Could you drop Sean off with him/her that day instead?

If not:

- I wouldn't pay for anything. You are paying them, not the other way around. If they need extra $$ for events that should be part of the contract.
- I would say something, but keep it to the point and polite. Perhaps you could speak to the owner?
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Kathie · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 696 Location: Florida

Over the years I've had 4 kids in after school care and now a grandson. I'm not sure how it is in your area but here the money we paid weekly covered the cost of the salaries for the worker's and the snacks that were provided (usually juice and cookies or something). We also had to pay $10.00 per school year for craft supplies etc. and we paid extra for field trips. I believe the school board subsidizes the program. It certainly was not for profit and did not provide for extras. They watched a lot of movies, usually towards the end of the evening to settle them down when it was pick up time. I guess personally I look at the school daycare as more a free time and socialization opportunity. They would have them do homework if you requested, but our workers were not teachers and we generally preferred to oversee their homework ourselves.

Personally I guess I look at it as being no different than being asked to donate something for the Christmas party or Valentine party etc. Aside from the issue that we have as celiacs about too many things being about food (which is really a bigger issue) I can't say I see anything wrong. For a kid it sounds like fun. I would probably speak to them about the money and see whether they would like the $6.00 and they will provide things that he can safely eat or whether they would rather in his case that you don't donate and provide the food yourself. Or a combination of both. Unless they decide to make it a monthly event it seems pretty harmless.
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krisiw · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 104 Location: Colorado

I'd be kind of irritated myself, but I would definitely speak with somebody there about it. First of all, they're going to be eating junk all day and they're not even going to be running around to burn off the sugar. Second, they didn't offer an option for people who didn't want to participate or pay. Although they did state that it's a "donation" so maybe you can just say you don't want to donate. I used to work at a daycare and we had parties sometimes and I hated it because not only did we feed them sugar that we provided, but we asked parents to bring in junk food and the kids were bouncing off the walls--not to mention that from a health perspective, it's just not good. Nobody really seemed to mind though, so if it's an issue for you, you'll have to be the one to speak up.

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2304 Location: Washington State

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8098 Location: WI, USA

One would think they could find a bit healthier snack than a donut. I s'pose it's cheap...
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 3942 Location: Nebraska

Have you seen some of the donuts "for kids" lately? Neon frosting with bits of candy on top.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 3942 Location: Nebraska

How'd this go Colleen?
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2304 Location: Washington State

I talked to Sean about it. He said he didn't really care if he went to the party or had a party bag (He's not too into that kind of thing). So we took him in at the very end and called it good. I did not give them $6.00, and he didn't participate in the donuts and party bags. If they ask me about it, I'll tell them why.
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-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt