Episode 77 | August 27, 2024
Tiffany Mead, current nanny and 20-year childcare provider, discusses boundaries for both parents and caregivers to create a healthy relationship as well as offer the best possible experience for the child.
With insights from childcare professional Tiffany, you will gain valuable advice on navigating the complicated process of finding the right childcare avenue for your family, important questions to ask, and red flags to watch out for.
INTRO
Welcome to “That’s a Hard No” – the podcast about learning to say no and set boundaries to live our best lives.
Follow along with me as we learn from fellow strugglers and experts, so that you too can start saying no without feeling fear, guilt, or FOMO.
SHOW NOTES
Tiffany Mead is a childcare professional with over 20 years in the industry/profession. She has experience in public daycares, private in-home daycares, public and private schools as well as my current position in professional nannying. Through many years in the industry she has learned valuable lessons that she feels are important for both parents and caregivers to know. Boundaries in this profession can get blurry easily as the closeness and intimacy of the relationship with children and their families forces a closeness quickly. Learn about the do’s and don’ts of finding the right caregivers, understanding red flags, appropriate boundaries to set, and how to make both parties as comfortable as possible.
Key Takeaways
“Where are the boundaries when you’re potentially welcoming someone into your home to watch your kids?”
- First recognizing the vital role childcare providers play in the well being and development of your child
- Respecting and acknowledging the professionals expertise
- Approach the job professionally
- Appreciate qualifications, experience, education, training, and skills
- Having a collaborative mindset -we are working together to support the child
- Observe multiple times, with and without children
- Knowing the different options and cost availability
“Every person who works with a child, whether they are in a daycare, a school setting, a date night babysitter, a nanny, an in-home daycare, whoever it is, every one of them should have CPR and first aid training, up-to-date and valid certifications.”
[00:07:26] Childcare budget considerations
- Outline what you need – have a full plan what you are looking for
- Mom groups, childcare groups on Facebook
- Ask other moms about facilities
- Safety should be #1 – CPR should be required
- Pay people fairly so they come back and that they put in the effort
[00:15:06] Childcare challenges and solutions
“This job, this industry, there’s nothing easy about it.”
[00:19:39] Checking references for childcare
- Err on the side of caution
- What parents should look for:
- Genuine interest in the child
- Professional behavior
- Open communication
- What caregivers should look for:
- Transparency on expectations
- Mutual respect
- Honesty
“No employee in any industry wants to be micromanaged.”
[00:27:59] Professional boundaries in child care
“So one of the biggest boundaries parents should set is open communication.”
[00:32:27] Respect of time
“Pay me on time. Oh, yes. My pay is how I live. I’m not doing this as a hobby. This is not me doing you a favor. This is how I earn a living. Pay me on time.”
[00:37:06] Responsibilities
[00:41:53] Teaching Life skills for children
- It’s important both parents and child care providers prioritize teaching the significance of life skills to the children and hold them accountable similarly – having the same expectations for the children
[00:46:34] Respect for childcare providers
- Rather than this being a completely general statement as all places of employment should have this includes other specific details such as:
- Handling illnesses – whether the child or caregiver are sick there should be written back up plans for these cases so that neither the child or provider are exposed to sickness
- Emphasizing hygiene – keeping children clean if you are bringing them to care and also keeping your home and space clean if a caregiver will be in your house
- Open communication and continued education – children and their wants and needs are constantly changing. Be sure to discuss these often between parent and caregiver to remain on the same page and provide the child with the best possible care and consistency
“I think the theme I’m hearing from you is respect childcare providers as the professionals they are.”
Where to Find Tiffany
- Facebook – Tiffany Mead
Credits and Thanks
- Many thanks to our friends and families (our “villagers”) for listening, and for your continued support.
- That’s a Hard No is a production of Clever Girl Marketing
- Marketing and Production Coordinator, Maura Del Rosario
- Production Support, Evergreen Podcasts, Noah Foutz, Producer
- New Rock Anthem Music: Written by Noah, and performed by his band, The Big Leagues
- Videographer, Kae Holmberg