Parents Magazine Editorial
March 25, 1987
Parents Magazine
P.O. Box 7000
Bergenfield, NJ 07621
ATTN: Editor
Dear Editor:
This is in response to your article about the dislikes of “babysitters” in your April 1987 edition. I am sure I have the strictest childcare provider in the world – heaven forbid I should slip and call her a “babysitter!”
Helen takes care of my 10-month-old son, Travis, and before I even placed him in Helen’s care, she required that my husband and I come and sit down with her and go over her rules. It was clear to us that we either agreed to comply or our baby would have to go elsewhere!
Helen has rules on everything! Diaperwise, it is Buggies ONLY, and if your child poops before you leave her house, you have the privilege of changing him. When your child is ready for “solid” food s, it is only certain foods with a certain spoon and only a velcro fastened bib will do. I discovered she doesn’t even wash the spoon or dish, hut sends them home in his diaper bag at the end of the day. Bottles are not washed out, and any remaining formula is left in them and put in the diaper bag. Nails must be kept trimmed; noses are only to be wiped in a certain way. If you use the bathroom you have to solemnly swear you’ll put the lid back down. If your child naps all day you may end up with him up all night, hut don’t expect Helen to wake him up from a nap!
As you know, babies get a number of innovations during their first year. Helen will not take care of Travis the day after he has gotten a shot, so I learned to schedule that late Friday afternoon. Like many daycare providers, Helen has strict hours – the financial penalty of a late pick up can almost ruin one’s week.
Speaking of finances, Helen charges $90 a week for care from 7:30 to 5:00 each day. If you don’t use your full week (you pay first thing Monday), don’t expect to see anything back. As a matter of fact, if Helen offers weekend care, she charges even more on an hourly rate, and any money you paid during the week and were unable to use is disregarded! This isn’t all the money Helen makes. She takes pictures of our baby and sells them back to us at $.SO a shot.
Just in case there is some daycare provider out there whose policies are as strict as Helen’s, I’m positive this last requirement is the ultimate. All week Helen’s place looks like a disaster, then on Friday when we come to pick up our babies, the parents are required to put every toy away (and there are hundreds) in its right place. Helen even posts pictures of
where ever ything is supposed to go.
After reading this, I’m sure there will be readers who think I was crazy to select such a care provider for my son. Well, Travis LOVES Helen (and I do too for all her idiosyncracies) and I know he is gcttinq quality care. I’m already sad to know that soon when he learns to walk, we will have to go elsewhere for childcare. Oh yes – I forgot that final rule – Helen only takes babies until they walk!
Sincerely,
Wendy Walker