Trusting Daycare?

I would feel incredably taken advantage of if I were in that situation. I took my son to a goverment provided day care when I first had him and they naglected him, he had rashes, he would be starving when I would go pick him up, they wouldn't give him his medicine. That is why I started doing my own day care. I know that when I am doing my job, I consider it to be 'MY JOB' Just like you said, you can't leave your job in the middle of the day to do your errands...why should she? That sounds very wired if you ask me and you have a right to worry. This is your baby girl...you didn't interview her mother and her son, if you knew they were going to do a team action would you have taken your daughter there?
Good luck I hope things work out....if you need any help like I said I do day care and I also know some others that do it to...maybe you can find a right situation.

Cruz Family Day Care
~Samantha Cruz

Mommy of 2 wild boys and love every minute of it.

My son's old daycare was the exact same way!! It was actually spooky reading your story. I eventually stopped working and am now staying home with my son. He will start kindergarten this fall, so I can go back to work then. Money is real tight, but I am glad I had the opportunity to stay home with him for one year. They grow so fast. I do not know if your situation will allow you to stay home, but it must be incredibly hard to focus on work when you are wondering if your child is safe. I feel for you and I wish you the best of luck!

I would find a new sitter immediately. What your sitter is doing is unprofessional to say the least. I have used two home daycares (I only switched because I had to when my sitter's husband of 22 years unexpectantly passed away and she needed to move out of state). Neither sitter EVER in 5 years time, called me and told me that she'd have to leave for any reason. Once, one of the sitters thought her son should see the doctor for a sick visit, so she called her husband at work and told him to take their son. They take time off, of course, but only with plenty of notice and they ask me like I'm doing them a favor. It sounds like your sitter is burned out and feels the need to get away from the kids and that would worry me. You have every right to demand from her - your employee - what is asked of you. Your boss will understand the occassional emergency, as I'm sure that you can. But, you don't get to call in a pitch hitter to run your errands! If you want to leave an email address, I can recommend a sitter in Gilbert. I too interviewed dozens of providers from a list of over 45 names that I spent the 9 months between my sitter's husband dying and the time she actually sold her house, compiling. You may live too far for that, but I think that you are right to be bothered by this situation and I'd find someone new. I don't say that lightly because I chose family care because I believe that the consistency of care was paramount. I avoided commercial center becuase of high turn over rates. Moving you kids is difficult on them, so I know that idea makes you want to cry. But, a sitter who isn't 100% comitted to her job, is not a good option either. Good luck!

"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein

I too would find another sitter immediately. My thoughts on the matter are....you hired her. You did the background check on her. Not her mother....not her son.

These days banks and grocery stores are open late and have extended hours on weekends, so why can't she run her errands when she does not have your child in her care?

I count my lucky stars everyday that I am fortunate enough to stay home with my daughter. It was so worth putting my career on hold for a while. I realize not everyone is able to do this and i'm truly grateful!!

The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.
~ Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)

'I'm sorry to play devils advocate here, but this is your child and you maybe at work, but you do have a CHOICE to say NO and leave work and take your kid,, If you find out that there is something going on detrimental to your child, you will regret it for the rest of your life..You see it happening all the time on the news..,No job is worth the welfare of your child. And if your boss can't understand that, then it is time to rethink your job and your sitter.

" just my Opinion" LOL

Absolutely, start looking now! I would NOT feel comfortable with the situation at all. In fact my child would not be back in her care at all! Your concerns are completely legit and trust me, there are MANY other reliable, responsible, great options out there, you should not settle for this! Your concerns are completely validated. Some suggestions.....
http://www.azchildcare.org/?src=overture is a free service that provides you with childcare in your area. You can have your pick. Also, ask your friends if they can refer someone. There are so many stay at home mom's that run great daycares out of their homes. Also, check nearby churches, many offer great childcare. Good luck!

JenM

No matter how you feel about the primary care-taker I would look for another care provider. You did not hire her mother or her son to care for your child and unless she gives you prior notice (out of respect) I don't think it's appropriate for her to up and leave your child in the care of someone else. Banks are open during the weekends and ATM's are made to handle any urgent banking needs (deposit and withdrawls). Most grocery stores are open to 10:00 or 11:00 pm so I can't imagine that she can't wait until later to go (I know when I'm running out of milk or any other thing and plan my trips accordingly). I would also (once a new provider is found) tell her exactly why you are leaving. Explain that you interviewed 27 people and selected her because of her warmth and caring, but now feel that she isn't providing the same care because her mother and son pick up the slack. Sorry about this, good daycare is really hard to find now-a-days. I actually had a sitter one time just decide not to baby-sit anymore and actually not answer the door or answer the phone when I went to drop my daughter off. But on the flip side I found my daughter day care center after that and she was there until we moved and she had to switch schools (4 years later).

"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."

You're not being paranoid - trust your instincts and find some place else. we love our daycare - East Valley Jewish Community Center in Chandler. It's very reasonably priced, accepts part time or full time and is open to anyone.
Good luck

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.

You know as a parent it is our responsibility to look out for the safety and care of our children - if you feel that something is not right with this care-giver begin looking for a new one immediately. I would never leave my child with someone I did not feel comfortable with - esp. if she is leaving your kiddo with her elderly mom (who might not provide the best care for the child) or her son (which God forbid is a looney molester - I don't even want to think that!) If she puts you in a bind early that morning or day then you do have other options. There is an emergency/last minute sitter service that can get someone to your house within a few hours. It is called "Lullaby Guild." They charge around $10-$12 per hour plus a $6-$7 travel fee. However, really it is sooo worth it because they do background checks, chech reference, and fingerprints on all their sitters (I've used this service on a few occassions myself.) It saves you the worry of some weirdo son watching over your daughter and although for an entire day it might be pricey - you can't put a price on the care of a child (if anything every happened to a child because the parent did not look elsewhere for 'better' care - they'd be asking themselves for the rest of their lives "why didn't I just pay that little extra money for my child's safety". Granted you may not want to use this service all the time, but for those emergency situations I'd say go for it! Also, look around there are many good places to find daycare service in the valley. Look for something that is regulated by the state and has exceptional references. I wish you the best with this as I can only imagine how hard it is for you to leave her each day with this current caregiver. Good luck with this all.

LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 9 months and 3 years old.

If anyone needs an at-home daycare in the North west valley (I-17 and Pinnacle Peak) I am now enrolling. Beginner classes, CPR trained, involved in FOOD FOR CHILDREN which ensures i serve homemade, healthy food only, i believe in manners, and respect first, Christian based, convenient hours, safe neighborhood, clean record and background check, references, i am available monday-friday 7am-5:30pm. PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION or to schedule an interview.

thelittleblessingsdaycare@yahoo.com

THANK YOU!
~abby

I suggest you to go for a new nanny. Calling up at random hours and informing about the off seems to be very negligent. You even cannot ensure your child safety.
http://www.daycaresurvey.com

I say trust your instincts. If you so much as have an ill feeling about the situation act on it promptly. Never hesitate when it comes to your child. I provide childcare in my home in Gilbert and for no reason would I leave the children I care for in the hands of someone else when they are my responsibility. I always make my appointments after-hours or if I am unable to get in later I make the parent aware of the situation and we both work something out. But rarely does this happen. So if you are still in need of daycare and its in Gilbert you can contact me at carrillop1@cox.net. Remember you always have to be on the defensive when it comes to the well being of your child.
Good luck
Trish

I understand how you feel. You just want to make sure your daughter is in the best care when you are unable to care for her yourself. She should accept your decision of not wanting her elderly mother and immature son watching your daughter, since you are paying her to take the best care of your daugher and also understanding of how you feel. You are not being paranoid. You have every right to feel secure about the care of your child when you are away from her. I am a single working mom and I feel the same way about my child.