This when when we were stationed back in Kansas at Fort Riley.
I went with my friend Aubrey ( HEY AUBS BIG SHOUTOUT to you!) to the orientation meeting. They told us the requirements and I even went as far as having a home interview set up with the head on the Fcc department.(she wanted to see my home and meet my hub and kids)
Then I went over all the rules and regulations again in my head and thought that it was way too much for me to deal with just to watch kids. What would be too much to deal with you ask?? Well.....youre in luck.
It's show in tell day.
*I would have to subject myself to unannounced visits/inspections of my home
*I would have to make charts for weekly activities and meals to be served
*my house my pass fire/health/safety inspections
*plan fire drills with the kids and practice them
* house must be PRISTINE all the time.
Those are just the ones I remember off the top of my head (because I threw the paperwork away in Kansas!) I wish I hadn't done that now!
Now before you all get on me and say "thats not to much to do", just remember Mikey was 4 and Zach was 2. Add 3-4 kids on top of that and NO THANKS!
You make pretty good money per kid and you are backed by CYS (Child, Youth Services) if any potential problems arrive.(i.e. payments/fees etc)
Here is an example of one providers area...
The part that Im stressing about is this....well actually two parts.
Here is what the Army FCC Website says:
The Baumholder Family Child Care (FCC) program offers a variety of flexible care options that meet regular and mission-related child care needs to include full day, hourly, before/ after school, extended care (overnight and weekend), and special needs.
FCC homes serve children 4 weeks to 12 years of age in a homelike environment that allows siblings to be in care together. Parent fees are based on total family income and follow DoD fee guidance.
FCC providers participate in the subsidy program designed to increase the availability of care and to offset their business costs.
Only the best qualified applicants are selected to become certified providers. FCC applicants must complete a screening process (Background checks) before certification. Background clearances are performed on applicants, spouses, and children 12 years of age and older. They attend 40 hours of orientation training, which includes child abuse, CPR and First Aid, medications/communicable diseases, child abuse, business practices, nutrition and developmentally appropriate practices. An in-home family interview is conducted by the FCC Director. The homes are inspected by fire, health, and safety officials to ensure all operational requirements are met. After certification, providers receive on-going training, technical support, and unannounced inspections by the FCC Director, Training and Curriculum Specialist, and other proponents. Training and educational opportunities can lead to a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Home Accreditation by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).
A lending library is available to providers to check out materials, equipment and age appropriate toys and books for lesson planning and training requirements. FCC Providers are required to plan and post a weekly Activity schedule.
FCC Providers must meet and follow the USDA guidelines for food and nutrition. Providers will post their weekly Menus for Parents; so Parents can see what will be served during the day to their child.
Parents are always welcome to visit their provider’s home during business hours and to participate in field trips and other program events. There is a Parent Advisory Board that meets quarterly. Opportunities for parents to attend sessions on parenting skills are offered. Topics address children birth through 12 years in FCC and older ages at other CYS programs.
FCC providers are private contractors. They will set up an Interview with the parents to go over the contract and requirements/ policies (health, outdoor, fieldtrips, child abuse reporting etc.). A monthly fee is charged according to the DoD Fee Policy, which can be paid once a month or bi-weekly.
An important goal of our FCC program is to help parents select the FCC home that will meet the needs of both the child and the family. This way the child feels “at home” even when he/she is not a home. Parents can go to work without to worrying “how their child is doing”.
Wow, right?!?! At the time (back in Kansas) I didn't really want to work, but the hubs was pressuring me to work(dual income is much much better, obviously) but I am stubborn and since he was going about it in a not so nice way, I fought to not work. Now, it's different. Well, maybe the only thing that's different is my mindset. My Zachy ( who I am not ready to let go of) is off to KINDERGARTEN the end of next month. Mikey will be in SECOND grade. That leaves only me and my Toodie. Why wouldn't I want to do this?? I was struggling with the idea of putting Hailey in daycare ( not b/c of the care itself, but because I wouldn't get to be with her) when I first started thinking and looking around for a job.
This, to me is the perfect soultion.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love kids. I LOVE to clean and I am very organized. (ask the hubs...he can attest to my list and chart making capabilities!)
It's a perfect fit in my book. I am not worried about all the surprize inspections and and that stuff.
What I am worried about (which I am finally getting out after going off my original point) is two things.
1. The Schooling
In order to become provisionally certified, I must complete 40 hours of training.CPR, child abuse, tec.
Then throughout the year complete more classes and modules to help me with the daycare.
I just need to know I am going to be super duper busy, which will be fine. I am a worry wart about things I don't know about, and because I have no clue what to expect, Im worried. but I know that once I get in and get going. all will fall into place.
2.My house
I love decorating and all that comes with it. I know that my house will need to be "baby-proofed" in order to run the daycare. I know that I will have to move my things. Here's where my problem lies. I love the look and FEEL of my house and I am afraid that in order for me to run this daycare, I will have to get rid of the things that make my place feel cozy.
Boo Hoo, right?!?!?! Will someone please just tell me to shut the heck up and stop whining already!?!?!
Im sure it will all fall into place.
Im super excited and cannot wait to get going.
Are any of you FCC providers out there? Do you know of any personally? Got any tips or inside stuff you wanna share???
Anyways, thanks for stopping by and reading this super duper long post!
2 comments:
I did FCC for 3 years (NOT military) before coming here. It was A LOT of work, hard work, but worth it. As soon as I got here I went up to CYS to see about becoming a FCC provider here and I couldn't believe all the regulations. And the hours, and the pretty much set wages you can charge. It was all way to much for me, so I'm gonna pass on doing it here. Maybe the next post (I've met other FCC providers on different posts where the regs aren't so crazy!). GOOD LUCK! :)
I'm a FCC right now. The regulations are ridiculous. I didn't have to move very much stuff around but then again I started FCC here pretty much as soon as we moved into our current house. I hate the surprise checks and visits but the way I look at it is no one is perfect and can keep their place perfect 100% of the time. I have a check list of what is needed and I ensure it's done daily, the rooms I slack on our our bedrooms and laundryroom. With the older kids I have them help out when they are home as part of their chores. I've been doing daycare/babysitting for the past 5 years as a provider and "under" the table. Our current station is just making me want to chuck it out the window and say seeya honestly, but it's not so much because of FCC but because of the poor economy around here and the lack of jobs for people. But I'm just trucking because we NEED this income even as little as it is compared to what it should be.
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