Paying for Carpet Cleaning?

First, if I had this kind of business, I would OWN a carpet cleaner. For goodness sake- I don't have an in-home daycare and I own one (two small children, you know?). Let her know she can get it cleaned, or rent one herself for much less than $100, and write it off as a business expense. Unless you signed something that states that you will cover any type of unforeseen incidentals, no way.

I am going to assume she has her own children, since all of the daycare providers I know do have their own. Does she have her carpets professionally cleaned when her own kids get sick? And $100 for an area of a carpet? No...that's for the whole thing, at least in my area. So I would NOT be paying for the whole thing.

I think it's part of her job to expect things like this to happen and I would push back on payment. If you want to be kind, offer to split it with her.

That is not normal and I wouldn't pay. That is considered hazards of the job. If she has an in home daycare with carpet on the floor than what does she expect. I would look for another person or try a daycare center. Tell her to invest in laminate flooring. You don't want her crying over hardwood.

I would understand a bill if your child was misbehaving and actually damaged something in her home, but the occasional vomit, no matter how "large" is just part of the job. This is a business expense, and if she chooses to outsource the job to professionals instead of having her own machine at home, that is her choice, but also her expense.

If you pay this bill, what is next? You need to cover her lawn care expenses because your kids run on it? Her water bill because your kids use it? Buy her new furniture because of normal wear and tear from kids?

If I were in your position, I wouldn't pay her business expense. If she pushes the issue to the point of threatening to discontinue watching your children as a direct result of that, then that's the time to make a final decision on the matter, but most likely, she won't want to lose long time costumers.

ETA: I see some people suggesting you simply use that $100 "bill" to buy her a machine. Again, that is NOT your responsibility. Its as ludicrous as buying her stamps and paper for invoices and ink for her printer. This is her home business, and she is responsible to purchase supplies, not her customers.

Uh, no this is not a normal expectation. Vomiting kids are part of her line of work, and cleaning up after them is an expense that she should be prepared to cover. It might not be worth finding a new day care over, but I'd be pretty pissed off about being expected to pay for someone's carpet cleaning.

Nope, absolutely not. Something is fishy here. She called the carpet cleaning service immediately? As a daycare provider, she had nothing on-hand to at least begin the clean-up process? I'm sorry, but if you're watching young children, you need to expect messes...sometimes big ones...and not dump the blame for those messes on the parent. I would not pay one cent and I would find some time to have a respectful, but firm conversation with her. In addition, she should be having the carpets cleaned professionally every few months anyway...

Hope your little one feels better fast!

Nope. Not your responsibility.

Why on EARTH does she have carpeting for her day care?? Sorry but just sounds like it's BEGGING for dirt and yuck...no thank you.

I don't believe a professional cleaner needs to come in to clean up vomit. Why doesn't she own her own carpet cleaner?? That sounds logical to me. If you own/have carpets you own a carpet cleaner...

Any way - no. I would NOT pay the bill. After 5 years of service, I would ask if it's really worth the fight with her. But from my POV? It's not your responsibility to pay since she is operating a business. It would be different if your kids were there for a play date, but they weren't.

Good luck!

I don't understand why she needs a carpet cleaner to come clean it. I've had plenty of kids and dogs vomit on my carpets and if you treat it early enough, I've never had a problem just using Resolve carpet cleaner. I agree that you shouldn't pay for anything until you at least see an invoice for the cleaning service. And I would be pretty upset with the idea of paying considering that I think it's a hazard of the job and she should be prepared and responsible. I can't believe this is the first time that it has happened. That being said, if you are really happy with the daycare and don't want to change, I would offer to pay 1/2. I'm sure that $100 will clean the entire carpet area, not just the spot where your child got sick, so 1/2 should be more than enough to cover the damaged area. I hope you child feels better.

no time to read the other responses....

here's my opinion: unless your provider has this specifically posted in her Welcome Handbook....then you are NOT responsible for this type of fee.
In my handbook, I clearly state the parents' responsibilities....bottles & food for the 1st year, special dietary restrictions, & all diaper supplies. The rest is my responsibility.

Perhaps it was a very bad day for her. Perhaps she's trying to encourage you to leave. Perhaps it's time for her to shut down. :)

OH HELL NO. You don't pay for the carpet cleaning and she shouldn't have asked. I don't care if it were all of the floors through out the entire house. It is the cost of doing business. I would also make other day care arrangements. This provider isn't the only great provider in your area. Plan your work and work your plan but don't pay that bill. Heck I'm offended for you.

I would wonder if she was using your son's soiling the carpet as a way to get the entire carpet cleaned. No cleaner is going to spot clean it but will do the whole room; she'll get a whole room cleaned on your dime, frankly. I try to think the best of folks but either she is new at this day care business or very uninformed about how to run a day care and what is expected on her own end of the business by her clients.

I would not offer to buy her her own carpet cleaner or to pay for any of the cleaning. I would tell her, "Sorry, but this is a day care for young kids and young kids make messes. Vomiting is not controllable and not a behavior issue where he intentionally destroyed or soiled something. This is part of your business costs. We do pay above this area's average for day care here, which I hope you already realize, so I can't agree to paying for a carpet cleaner. If you called the service based on an assumption that I would pay them, you need to handle that with them directly since we won't be paying." Then give a big smile and drop it.

It was pretty presumptuous of her to call a professional service company and assume she could hand you the bill. If she says "But they already came and did it and I can't afford to pay them," I would just reiterate that you were not consulted before she called them or you would have told her then what you are telling her now, that this is part of her business costs and she should look into writing it off her taxes as an expense.

If she gets snippy about it or takes it out on your kid - leave!

Even IF your child had had red grape juice, and it stained her very white carpet, MY answer would be not only NO...but HELL NO!

It may be that you have to find other child care, but this is part of the cost of doing business, and that she asked anyone (not to mention good clients for many years) to pay for this is ABSURD!

I hope you keep us updated as to what transpires.

I am furious for you as well!

Sounds goofy to me. First of all, the carpet cleaning person isn't going to spot clean - he's going to do the whole thing. Secondly, it's a business expense, and she writes if off just like she writes off snacks, toys, a portion of her heat and utilities, supplies like toilet paper and paper towels, and so on. We have in home businesses and we write off a portion of our maintenance and snow plowing, and part of our mortgage.

Your provider should be investing in that stuff (the name of which I can't remember) that schools and camps use to sprinkle on vomit to help dry it up so it can be easily picked up. She should invest in standard spot cleaners and some large bottles of seltzer. Every preschool has a rug area where the kids sit, and sometimes those rugs need to be cleaned and replaced.

I think she's probably guilty of very poor planning. Do you have a contract that you signed that details the prices and any "extras"? Most providers give you a pick-up window of time, but if you're more than X minutes late on 2 occasions, you pay more. They specify fees, days off, paid holidays, an illness policy (like no kids if they are feverish), how the facility will notify you of things like lice and other contagions, and so on. If carpet cleaning is not specifically in there (and I'm guessing you'd have noticed it if it were!), then I think it's part of the cost of doing business. If your kids have been there for 5 years, I can't believe this is the first time someone threw up.

I'm confused that she agreed it was part of the cost of her business, but then said you'd have to pay because it was a large area. What??? Exactly what is the allowable area for throwing up? I think she's just strapped for cash and she doesn't know how to clean up (or doesn't want to) so she's calling in outside help. It's time to have a chat with your provider! I'd also write her a letter, saying that you needed to get your sick kid home and didn't feel that was an appropriate time to discuss it, and also that you have never heard of this "bill the parent" policy and it's not in your contract or verbal arrangement.

I know you don't want to make waves, but since you already pay a premium rate, you don't see why this isn't included. I'd also demand a written contract if you don't have one.

There's no way I'd have carpet if I were a daycare provider. Gross. I'm kind of torn on this one. She's the one who has decided to have her daycare kids on the carpet. Unless it's specified in her contract, you're not responsible for paying any fees other than the agreed costs for care.

But your child did puke on her carpet.

And she could BUY a carpet cleaner for $100. (For reals, yo: http://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-PowerLifter-PowerBrush-Upri... )

But she's a good caregiver and the kids are happy.

I can understand your frustration.

If it were me, I'd first look over the contract. Vomit, poo, urine, food debris, and general kid-mess are part of being a provider. I'm interested to hear from actual providers here to know what they'd do.

I think I'd end up paying for it, but not without a discussion. And for $100...I'd offer to just buy her a steam cleaner. Avoid fees in the future.

Heck no! That's part of her business expenses. In fact, I would think she could write that off in her taxes (I'm self-employed, too, and can write off all sorts of things).

She's taking on a variety of risks running a daycare and vomiting kids is one of them. Kids make messes and some can be pricey.

Not your expense.

I would think this it NOT your responsibility.

Children get sick at daycare, at school, at church... it happens. It is not like your child picked a special spot to go vomit.

i think paying for half is not unreasonable, and very decent of you. i get that this was a bigger than usual soiling, but it IS part of having a home daycare. and yeah, her timing leaves something to be desired.
but you're a good egg for chipping in, and i'm glad you worked it out and your kids get to stay where they're comfortable.
khairete
S.

She can clean that section with her carpet cleaner and solution that sanitizes. The fact that the vomit covered a wide area was caused by her not watching him when he's sick. Vomiting is not the first symptom of illness.

I suggest that she is using this as a way of getting her whole room cleaned.

Because you want to keep your kids there paying half is a reasonable compromise. I would use this incident to put expectations in writing. Without a contract she can do what she wants.

You kind of agreed to pay the charges because you told her to save the invoice for you. But i do recognize that you didn't have time to think her request through because you were trying to pick up a sick child. And she didn't ask you in advance, but had already called the carpet cleaning service. I do think that this should be part of her standard business expenses and not pass the costs on to you. Perhaps she had just had them cleaned and used her budgeted money to pay for that and then your child vomits and she doesn't have the funds to do it again. The carpet has to get cleaned and sanitized. You and all of the other parents expect that. I think I would tell her you asked on a mama forum and share the responses with her. Since you like your in home daycare provider, I would offer her half of the bill amount and tell her that in the future, you would not expect to pay for something of that nature. Good luck.

Wow, I think that it was incredibly tacky for her to expect you to pay this. If she is going to watch kids, then this is part of the business sometimes. Your child did not intentional destroy any of her property, which is a distinction here. I do not think that you should have to pay this bill frankly. However, I do understand the importance of having good care for your kids. I used a home daycare for my kids until they started school and I remember making some concessions to pay for things that I really should not have.

If you do pay for it, make sure you do have a copy of the invoice and make sure she signs it so you can take a deduction for child care.

Not your responsibility.

This is asenine! I have never heard of this! I had my kids go to a daycare facility and a private in home daycare and I have never heard of this. She doesn't have to have a professional come out and clean it, she can get cleaning product OTC to help clean area. One product that we found to clean extremely good is Nature's Miracle that you can buy at a local pet store. Takes the smell right out!

I read your SWH and saw you have no contract. I wonder if the lack of professionalism means she's also not licensed to have a home based daycare.

Has she been providing you with a Form W-10 (Dependent Care Provider’s Identification and Certification) for tax purposes each year? If not, or if she's specifically said you can't deduct it, then she's not running a real business and is not paying taxes on her income.

If this is a case, you have an issue of ethics to ponder while evaluating her suitability as a babysitter.

I think you would only be responsible if it says in your contract that you are responsible for any damages. If it is not in your contract then I am pretty sure that would be considered part of her business expenses. In fact, she can probably claim the carpet cleaning as a tax deduction. If you are going to have a day care and have a carpet then you might want to own a carpet cleaner!

ETA

I think I'd tell her, when I gave her the check, that I needed a letter from her stating what I had paid for, why, and some other stuff because my tax guy wanted it so I could write this off on my taxes for some such reason.

Then I'd mention to her that I was surprised she didn't want to pay for this herself so she could get the tax write off. I'd say something to show her that this was completely her job and that she should have taken care of it herself immediately upon my children leaving.

If the carpet was so nasty it had to be professionally done then no other kids should have been allowed to be there all day. Yuck. She sounds helpless.

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No. She can go rent a carpet shampooer for $25 and do it herself or have a staff do it.

This is her building and she's responsible for the cleaning and upkeep. I'd be humiliated beyond words to ask a parent to clean my child care center because I wasn't watching their child well enough when they were sick.

I can't believe this. She can't open tomorrow unless that carpet is cleaned.

Most centers don't have carpet. Most have linoleum because it's easy to clean, mop, and sanitize. She needs to buck up and take care of it.

If you are paying the bill, I'd specify that only that soiled section would be cleaned. OR that you feel more comfortable buying her a steam cleaner for $100 and never be charged a cleaning fee again. Another option is to call the carpet cleaning company and find out what the fee is for a 3-4 sq foot area. Guaranteed your son didn't get more than that. $100 is at least the whole room. Check your contract as well. This sounds like something that should be included in your normal rate...also I would expect my daycare provider would be having the carpets cleaned professionally often as a business expense and not charging clients. If she's not getting the carpets cleaned at least every 6 months, then ew.

I understand not wanting to take your children out of daycare that you are otherwise happy with, but this provider is being completely unreasonable, and in my opinion, she is trying to take advantage of this situation and you.

Unless there is something specific in your signed contract about parents being responsible for something like this, she has no legal leg to stand on.

And even if your child had a projectile splatter, I seriously doubt the area that got caught in the crossfire amounts to $100 worth of cleaning. I had a 12' x10' area rug professionally cleaned recently and the entire thing was $90. I'm sure your little one didn't cover an area that large, and her using this as an excuse to get her whole carpet cleaned at your expense is really offensive.

I mean, really, what's next on her list? Parents paying for housekeeping services for kids who miss the toilet?

This is her responsibility, and she knows it. Being in this business, if she's got carpeting where the children play, she should already have the tools and products on hand to do emergency clean-ups.

Frankly, I'd be peeved that she was more focused on her carpet cleaning bill than your sweet child who is sick. Start asking friends for other daycare recommendations. Hope your little one is all better soon.

J. F.

I would check your contract.

If it does not state it then no do not pay it.

I would not bring it up again. If she does or if she hands you the invoice I would just say, " I talked this over with my tax accountant and this falls under a business expense, not childcare expense...." very nicely.

But it might be time to look for new childcare or in the very least update or write a contract with her.

Kinda ironic that it is after the holidays...

Good luck!