So... I was wondering, if what my licensing agent does is the norm or not... I know that licensing agent has to do inspection and make suggestions and monitor your program if you're in some sort of state program or what not, but just how much do they usually do?
It seems most people have trouble with children's behavior or the parents' behavior, but no one seems to say anything about licensing agent. Is it because of the same reason as I have (that I am afraid if I speak up I'd lose my license)? or just simply no problem whatsoever? What do they do when they come to your house for inspection?? What kind of things can they give you advice on? I'm afraid to ask anything, I'm afraid to just say yes/no to everything that's asked, I'm not sure which one's a trap and which one is not... Is this how everyone else feels when they have inspection?
On the side note: I don't have a problem with licensing agent due to incompetency or anything, the parents have left me extremely good evaluations and I did comply to everything the licensing agent asked me to do - I just don't know why this licensing agent keeps on pushing me...
Following things, I've already done on top of following the regular guidelines about child safety issues and other basic children's needs and toys, etc.: In addition to everything, I purchased about $500 more toys and educational toys and painting, etc.etc. to cover age group from age 0 to 4 (I already had things that covers age 0 - 8, which I spent almost $1000 just for that) - I only have 4 children, no intention to expand, so considering the income (I don't charge for vacation, absence, or anything, just about $30~40 a day while providing all meals and snacks), it is a lot of money. (Other than toys and educational toys, I spent additional $1000+ on safety features around the child care spaces and stuff).
I've gotten booster seats like I was told to, I've gotten specific toys the agent described, I take children outside everyday unless there's a severe weather warning, I do participate in potty training children whose parents asked me to, and do not do laundry/dishes/cleaning of any kind except for clearing the table after the meals because licensing agent told me I cannot do any type of housework but only play with the children during the child care hours. I also prepare meals before the care hours if the meals take more than 30~40 minutes to prepare (for example, I would make spaghetti sauce from scratch the night before if I'm serving it the next day since it'll take too long to make), and even while cooking, I still read books to children and sing songs with them and such because I was told that's what I have to do.
I also do not do discipline except for asking children to reconcile (if age appropriate) by talking it out, or redirecting to another play by suggesting it, or having them share/take turns, and only in severe harm's done then I would put the child in time out.
I try to be equal with all children, so I cycle through age 1 to age 4 activities throughout the day, because it is unfair if I were only to read age 4 books or activities for age 4 when age 1~2 are sitting there bored, and vice versa.
After the children are gone, I do all the laundry (I wash sheets and blankets in case there was accident - I used to have a child with accident almost everyday till was potty trained fully for weeks and never complained about it; and also wash art smocks everyday since children use them almost everyday), all the dishes, prepare dinner for my family, vacuum everyday, clean bathroom everyday.
The children and I engage in imaginary play, science/nature exploration, pretend play, outdoor water play, story time, rock painting, water color, finger painting, coloring on the sidewalk, cut &paste crafts, origami, cooking, baking, field trips to museums, Coast Guard boats, fire station, city park, Local Children's play group (parents signed slips), library reading/craft time, sing along with gestures, alphabets, numbers, manners (thank you, please, helping clean up toys, putting cups/plates away) and so much more. With winter approaching, I have also made efforts to make sure I have extra items on hand to cover the children in the event of bad weather while the children are here. Everything from additional medical supplies, extra emergency food,
revised winter emergency plan for the children, several gallons more water, more emergency candles.
Basically, the moment a child gets here, I play with them except for going to bathroom and cooking for a little bit (even during cooking, I engage them) until the moment they leave.
I feel like I'm doing a lot, and even so, I felt that this agent might just pull my license if I don't comply, so I did, and... I just had a hunch and finally requested the department to see a copy of my file. This licensing agent kept complaining about this and that and put down things on the evaluation as if I don't do any of these activities and as if I am really incompetent that she had to SHOW me what to do. I'm upset and extremely baffled by this. Of course, there's no 3rd person, so it really is what she says vs. what I say, only thing I have is that there are people who see me with these children in town who tell me how excellent I am with them, and the parents who are extremely satisfied. When I brought it up, she immediately sent emails to her supervisor and several other people "praising" how great I am as a child care provider. But when I requested this email to be included in my official file, she denied saying it was only a personal email between her and her supervisors so have nothing to do with me even if it clearly had my child care evaluation. I have a feeling that she's just really manipulative and playing politics.
When she was here to inspect, she basically got in the way of doing ANY sort of activities with children, the children naturally got curious as to who she was, and she kept favoring older children and whenever I tried to do scheduled activities, she just interrupted me and let the older children do whatever they chose to do (I often switch activities depending on what children want to do, but it's different when she overrides me verbally in front of the children), then just left me hanging with younger children who kept getting distracted by other things going on (it was not age appropriate activity for the younger children) and wouldn't participate in any sort of activities due to distraction. Not only that, she disregarded couple of safety measures when we were outside and I was extremely upset about it, too. But of course, I was so afraid that I didn't say anything.
Then she started talking about how I spend way too much time cooking that the children don't get enough attention. I felt like, 'excuse me, what are you talking about?' but I just kept my mouth shut and explained that I believe in homecooked meals balanced with protein, vegetable and carbs and provide meals as such (and I keep a log of every meal served here on a notebook) - after browsing through the notebook, she said my meals are way too complicated and no way I can make them in 30~40 minutes. I felt that it was very closed-mindedness for my culture, because I grew up where moms cook all the time and I've seen them cook, learned to cook, took nutritional courses in middle school (all that jazz about some mg of vitamins and what not, I learned that in MIDDLE SCHOOL, that's how interested I was in the subject). I CAN cook stuff within 30 minutes for some of those made from scratch menus and I actually pulled it off while she was here WHILE doing sing along with children. There was no mention of that in the evaluation at all. She just wrote what SHE did with children and did not mention a single thing I did with the children, rated me with terrible 1-10 scale points on several categories.
So I am here, trying to find out if this is the norm. Is this what licensing agent normally does when they visit your home for inspection? Am I supposed to feel this much intimidated? And is it legitimate that she sent email to her supervisors and some others about how good of a child care provider I am (she claims), and yet refuse to include that evaluation email to my file? I was so stressed out during that inspection due to her interruption of the daily plan (by the way, the older children acted out and didn't listen at all the next a few days, which was very difficult to handle, whenever I asked them of something, such as washing hands after a meal or getting back from outside, they simply said, "Oh, I don't want to." and I had to persuade them to wash hands. That's just about hands. It kept happening with every single activitiy through days!), just putting me down in front of children constantly verbally, then trying to talk to parents about "concerns" about me. -_-; Fortunately one parent that she spoke with totally told her that I was the best one that they've ever had as a child care provider. - anyway, that day with inspection, I ended up going to E.R. later that evening due to stress.
So... if someone could describe what really happens with their licensing agent throughout the day that agent's there, like, step by step, would be helpful, because this is my first time, and not sure if I'm overreacting or this is the norm for them to keep asking more from you, etc. She told me to buy cushions for children to play and share with and I told her no because my cats may pee on cushions and it would be unsanitary (the children have dogs at home and my cats don't like other animal smell) She told me to keep all the linens and bedding separately stored for each child for sanitary reasons, but then they can share cushions?? - she wrote on the evaluation that I said no to cushions, not why I said no. I would love to have cushions because I am pregnant and that would add to my comfort, too, but after having a child with head lice problem, and it didn't spread because I didn't really have fabric items to worry about, I decided against it. Isn't that legitimate enough reason?
It seems most people have trouble with children's behavior or the parents' behavior, but no one seems to say anything about licensing agent. Is it because of the same reason as I have (that I am afraid if I speak up I'd lose my license)? or just simply no problem whatsoever? What do they do when they come to your house for inspection?? What kind of things can they give you advice on? I'm afraid to ask anything, I'm afraid to just say yes/no to everything that's asked, I'm not sure which one's a trap and which one is not... Is this how everyone else feels when they have inspection?
On the side note: I don't have a problem with licensing agent due to incompetency or anything, the parents have left me extremely good evaluations and I did comply to everything the licensing agent asked me to do - I just don't know why this licensing agent keeps on pushing me...
Following things, I've already done on top of following the regular guidelines about child safety issues and other basic children's needs and toys, etc.: In addition to everything, I purchased about $500 more toys and educational toys and painting, etc.etc. to cover age group from age 0 to 4 (I already had things that covers age 0 - 8, which I spent almost $1000 just for that) - I only have 4 children, no intention to expand, so considering the income (I don't charge for vacation, absence, or anything, just about $30~40 a day while providing all meals and snacks), it is a lot of money. (Other than toys and educational toys, I spent additional $1000+ on safety features around the child care spaces and stuff).
I've gotten booster seats like I was told to, I've gotten specific toys the agent described, I take children outside everyday unless there's a severe weather warning, I do participate in potty training children whose parents asked me to, and do not do laundry/dishes/cleaning of any kind except for clearing the table after the meals because licensing agent told me I cannot do any type of housework but only play with the children during the child care hours. I also prepare meals before the care hours if the meals take more than 30~40 minutes to prepare (for example, I would make spaghetti sauce from scratch the night before if I'm serving it the next day since it'll take too long to make), and even while cooking, I still read books to children and sing songs with them and such because I was told that's what I have to do.
I also do not do discipline except for asking children to reconcile (if age appropriate) by talking it out, or redirecting to another play by suggesting it, or having them share/take turns, and only in severe harm's done then I would put the child in time out.
I try to be equal with all children, so I cycle through age 1 to age 4 activities throughout the day, because it is unfair if I were only to read age 4 books or activities for age 4 when age 1~2 are sitting there bored, and vice versa.
After the children are gone, I do all the laundry (I wash sheets and blankets in case there was accident - I used to have a child with accident almost everyday till was potty trained fully for weeks and never complained about it; and also wash art smocks everyday since children use them almost everyday), all the dishes, prepare dinner for my family, vacuum everyday, clean bathroom everyday.
The children and I engage in imaginary play, science/nature exploration, pretend play, outdoor water play, story time, rock painting, water color, finger painting, coloring on the sidewalk, cut &paste crafts, origami, cooking, baking, field trips to museums, Coast Guard boats, fire station, city park, Local Children's play group (parents signed slips), library reading/craft time, sing along with gestures, alphabets, numbers, manners (thank you, please, helping clean up toys, putting cups/plates away) and so much more. With winter approaching, I have also made efforts to make sure I have extra items on hand to cover the children in the event of bad weather while the children are here. Everything from additional medical supplies, extra emergency food,
revised winter emergency plan for the children, several gallons more water, more emergency candles.
Basically, the moment a child gets here, I play with them except for going to bathroom and cooking for a little bit (even during cooking, I engage them) until the moment they leave.
I feel like I'm doing a lot, and even so, I felt that this agent might just pull my license if I don't comply, so I did, and... I just had a hunch and finally requested the department to see a copy of my file. This licensing agent kept complaining about this and that and put down things on the evaluation as if I don't do any of these activities and as if I am really incompetent that she had to SHOW me what to do. I'm upset and extremely baffled by this. Of course, there's no 3rd person, so it really is what she says vs. what I say, only thing I have is that there are people who see me with these children in town who tell me how excellent I am with them, and the parents who are extremely satisfied. When I brought it up, she immediately sent emails to her supervisor and several other people "praising" how great I am as a child care provider. But when I requested this email to be included in my official file, she denied saying it was only a personal email between her and her supervisors so have nothing to do with me even if it clearly had my child care evaluation. I have a feeling that she's just really manipulative and playing politics.
When she was here to inspect, she basically got in the way of doing ANY sort of activities with children, the children naturally got curious as to who she was, and she kept favoring older children and whenever I tried to do scheduled activities, she just interrupted me and let the older children do whatever they chose to do (I often switch activities depending on what children want to do, but it's different when she overrides me verbally in front of the children), then just left me hanging with younger children who kept getting distracted by other things going on (it was not age appropriate activity for the younger children) and wouldn't participate in any sort of activities due to distraction. Not only that, she disregarded couple of safety measures when we were outside and I was extremely upset about it, too. But of course, I was so afraid that I didn't say anything.
Then she started talking about how I spend way too much time cooking that the children don't get enough attention. I felt like, 'excuse me, what are you talking about?' but I just kept my mouth shut and explained that I believe in homecooked meals balanced with protein, vegetable and carbs and provide meals as such (and I keep a log of every meal served here on a notebook) - after browsing through the notebook, she said my meals are way too complicated and no way I can make them in 30~40 minutes. I felt that it was very closed-mindedness for my culture, because I grew up where moms cook all the time and I've seen them cook, learned to cook, took nutritional courses in middle school (all that jazz about some mg of vitamins and what not, I learned that in MIDDLE SCHOOL, that's how interested I was in the subject). I CAN cook stuff within 30 minutes for some of those made from scratch menus and I actually pulled it off while she was here WHILE doing sing along with children. There was no mention of that in the evaluation at all. She just wrote what SHE did with children and did not mention a single thing I did with the children, rated me with terrible 1-10 scale points on several categories.
So I am here, trying to find out if this is the norm. Is this what licensing agent normally does when they visit your home for inspection? Am I supposed to feel this much intimidated? And is it legitimate that she sent email to her supervisors and some others about how good of a child care provider I am (she claims), and yet refuse to include that evaluation email to my file? I was so stressed out during that inspection due to her interruption of the daily plan (by the way, the older children acted out and didn't listen at all the next a few days, which was very difficult to handle, whenever I asked them of something, such as washing hands after a meal or getting back from outside, they simply said, "Oh, I don't want to." and I had to persuade them to wash hands. That's just about hands. It kept happening with every single activitiy through days!), just putting me down in front of children constantly verbally, then trying to talk to parents about "concerns" about me. -_-; Fortunately one parent that she spoke with totally told her that I was the best one that they've ever had as a child care provider. - anyway, that day with inspection, I ended up going to E.R. later that evening due to stress.
So... if someone could describe what really happens with their licensing agent throughout the day that agent's there, like, step by step, would be helpful, because this is my first time, and not sure if I'm overreacting or this is the norm for them to keep asking more from you, etc. She told me to buy cushions for children to play and share with and I told her no because my cats may pee on cushions and it would be unsanitary (the children have dogs at home and my cats don't like other animal smell) She told me to keep all the linens and bedding separately stored for each child for sanitary reasons, but then they can share cushions?? - she wrote on the evaluation that I said no to cushions, not why I said no. I would love to have cushions because I am pregnant and that would add to my comfort, too, but after having a child with head lice problem, and it didn't spread because I didn't really have fabric items to worry about, I decided against it. Isn't that legitimate enough reason?
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