[lookingtofoster]

Hi,

I am a single parent and I have to work but I REALLY want to Foster.

*I was wondering does anyone know how Massachusetts does daycare with Foster kids?
*And also I would like to Foster ages 0-6 I think and I was wondering, I know all of the kids are different but, for the most part can young Foster kids be put in daycare after all that they have been through already. *And will DSS think its okay for you to foster say a baby or a toddler but put them in daycare during the day from probably 8-5ish maybe some days only until 3? I mean no doubt that after work all my attention and love would be on them but will they still place young children/babies with you if you have to put them in daycare?

Thanks so much, and sorry its so jumbled I just tried to get all of my thoughts out lol.

ALSO my kids are 13 and 18 and the 18 year old boy is off to College so it would just be my 13 year old girl living with me who loves the idea of fostering and I think she would do really well with it.

[brl]

I don't know about Mass. but in Florida they allow daycare for all age groups of kids in the system.

My wife and I have both worked and fostered for 6 years with around 18 kids. (1 infant, 17 toddlers) (all Boys!) They all went to daycare b/c we work. The only thing is the first day. The kids are unsure but after that they are ok.

God bless those who foster numerous kids w/o daycare, they have my utmost respect.

A good source of info is to find a foster parent in your commnuity and get answers from them. Try a foster parent associaton meeting.

Sorry I could'nt answer your questions.

[lookingtofoster]

Thank you so much and you actually did answer one of my questions so thank you again. One of my big questions is will they let you foster and have the kids in regular daycare so Thanks again, and really ANY help at all is greatly appreciated.

[vernellinnj]

I, too, am a single foster parent. My first placement, D, went home earlier this week (heartbreaking). I had him for nearly 6 months. My FS attended daycare and it was not a problem. As a matter of fact, the transportation department from DYFS facilitated the visits as they picked him up from daycare and returned him to daycare. Get prepared for a tremendous blessing. I could not have asked for a better first placement. It was a blessing for D and me!

[teachtofost]

I'm a single foster parent in Colorado. I'm lucky enough to be a teacher. This summer I took home a newborn from the hospital. He started daycare last week. If they didn't take working parents, they couldn't have enough homes here. I'm sure they'd love to have enough SAHM moms that they didn't have to place with working parents, but it just doesn't work that way. My daycare is paid for by the state. I know from watching the board that I'm pretty lucky. I'd check with the agency you're working with.

[tjwright]

I am wondering after you get the home inspection and your application has alreay been approved, how long does it take to get your first placement.?

If you have a child in a school, do you give them a few days to adjust to the new home or send them to school the next day after placement./

[brl]

it varys how long it takes depending on age and what you are doing foster to adopt, just foster etc...

also where you live and how many homes around you are full or empty.

b/c we both work, ours usually went straight to daycare. it was hard first few days, but they eventually got used to it.

[hotspice58]

Yes; they realize parents have to work. In NY, DSS pays for the daycare. Call the DSS office in your county.

[hotspice58]

I was certified in July and got my placement in October. But I had to have either 2 girls or 2 boys. If you can do both, it will probably be quicker. They don't go to school right away as the sw has to de-enroll them from the last school and enroll them where you live. My kids have waited a week to go to school. My girls (first placement): I took off and took them to day care. The 10 yo fit in right away; it took the 5 yo a few minutes.

[momatlast]

Around here, the daycare centers have waiting lists (for the little ones these lists are quite long).

How is daycare handled for foster kids--does DYFS find them a center (even if it's different from the ones your other kids go to), or do you just have to manage until they are accepted into a center?

[hotspice58]

In NY, as part of being certified, you have to have a "plan" for the kids. I'm guessing this is so the kids don't have to be removed from a home. I put down daycare; then I went on the internet. There's a childcare website; try that. I was lucky-there is one around the corner from me. Mom takes them and picks them up. Daycare takes them to school and gives them interaction with other kids.

[Dreamsofgold]

I am a single working 50 year old gal who would love to foster infants/toddlers. I live in Southern California. Am I too old? I LOVE BABIES! I am also interested in weekend respite care.

Dreamsofgold
cuddlecare.biz@att.net

[Godmother]

Not at all too old. If you are willing and able to run after little ones, there really is no age limit. I know foster parents in their 70's.

[foster2adoptmomma]

don't feel guilty for putting your foster children in daycare (ok, most moms do anyway, but you shouldn't!) You are showing your children what responsibility means, that you work hard to provide for your family, that we all have jobs to do, theirs is to do x,y,z (go to school, do chores, etc) You show them what "NORMAL" families are like. Most of the foster kids I've had did not have parents who worked consistently, or at all. most of the foster kids I've had came from families where no one worked, ever, or if they did work, they kept a job for maybe two weeks then were fired or no call/no show. What type of example does that set for these children? That it's ok to be lazy and irresponsible!!! My first placement of two girls, ages 5 and 7 were AMAZED that both my husband and I worked. They asked me why I didn't just stay home and live off the check that comes in the mail every month. They said their parents did, and they would take the check and buy beer wtih it and a little food. So, they could not understand our desire to work.

[tinatyme]

I am a single foster parent too. I have three babies under three and I work a full time job. I usually take off a couple days with a new placement to allow myself some time to adjust and to get to know the child but then it is off to daycare.

I actually just got a new placement on Friday and took off yesterday to spend time with him. Today when I arrived at the daycare where my older two go the teachers were all soooo excited to see him. They completely forgot I was there the minute they saw him.

As long as you are comfortable with your daycare and it is a loving environment then there should be no problems. BTW - even if I could be a SAHM I don't think that is the choice I would make. I have a fulfilling career and a happy home life and daycare makes that possible!

The state pays for my daycare so that is great as well. You should check it out.

Foster/Adopt Parent since 2004
Foster Mom (soon to be Adoptive Mom) to:
FD - D (22 months old)
Placed 11/18/04 (at 5 weeks old)
TPR granted 06/16/06
Waiting for Adoption date (hopefully soon)

Foster Mom (soon to be Adoptive Mom) to:
FS - J (2 years old)
Placed 06/30/06 (at 14 months old)
Waiting for TPR date

Foster Mom to:
FS - W (6 months old)
Placed 08/04/06 (New baby!)
Plan: Reunification