Babysitting

From: Colleen Davis
Email: cmd1971@aol.com
Date: May 22, 2007

Comments

Our center is currently in the process of coming up with a babysitting policy in regards to babysitting. It is such a grey area for us. We do not have it anywhere in our handbook stating that babysitting is not allowed however the staff is aware that it is frowned upon. Unfortunately, they all still choose to do it. Many staff have babysit for these families before they started working at our center so they feel they should be grandfathered in. Also, we want to help our parents as some of them are new in town and our teachers are all that they know. Inaddition, our teachers do not make nearly what they need and could use the extra money. However, we do feel that it takes away from the parents perspective as seeing us as true professionals switch is an ongoing issue for our field in general. A teacher worst nightmare is to be labeled just a "babysitter", but then that is actually what we're doing for them. It's a confilt of interest and it crosses many boundries between the relationships of everyone involved. It has become an issue between the children in the classrooms as they brag "Ms Colleen is coming over to my house this weekend" and I feel it also shows favortism. Let's face it, there are all families we would never babysit for! Money is another problem. It has created jealously and unfairness between staff as some are paid more than others by the same family. I could go on and on, but the overall message is it's not worth all of the mess it truely brings to your classroom, center, and staff. I did not know that you could be sued and it completely makes sense. I don't want to wait until something happens to make the change. I have been looking for a way to eliminate babysitting and I'm glad to hear that you have the proactive answer our center needs. It's very encouraging and will be much easier to approach the staff now with actual evidence and not just my opinion on the matter. Thank You!