Destiny Rodriguez, 3, looks at a book with Ethan Rodriguez, 1, while in day care with Jan Sweeney, of Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Caring for children is a 'gift' for local woman

Jan Sweeney has changed 208,000 diapers. She has seen roughly 327 children go though the doors of her home. For the last 40 years, Sweeney has operated a childcare service in her house.

For Sweeney, childcare brings great rewards when the children go up to her and say, "Jan, I love you."

"I'll sometimes have a tear," she said.

How did you get started doing this?

I started babysitting when I was in the fifth grade and never stopped. I've been given a gift. It will be 40 years in September. Where I lived, there was a poor family. The mother was trying to work. I watched her three kids for nothing. Then, it just started from there.

What is better about in-home day care versus day care centers?

It's extremely important to me that children four and under are being kept in the home. Almost all the children of today are being put in the big boxes. I have had follow-ups with children who are in school and who have been here and all of them are doing well. Kids learn in a home. They learn one-on-one. We learn colors. We learn letters. On rainy days, I post letters around the room and they go and find them. They can look around the room and they know what's rectangle, square and oval.

What is the difference between licensed and unlicensed childcare providers?

For a licensed provider, you're checked on by the state unannounced. You have to pay a fee to keep the license active. You have to be fingerprinted and you have to have liability insurance. You have to do fire drills with children. I don't call it a fire drill, though. I say, "Let's go outside quickly." You can also go on the food program.

What is the worst thing you have ever had a child do to you?

The worst thing that's happened to me is, I had a biter and the parents didn't do anything about it. I had had enough and said he couldn't come back.

What is the most memorable thing that has happened?

Having kids, once they have become adults, bring their children back. Also, having them visit and ask, "Is that still the time out?"

Are there activities the kids do?

I try to do activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather permitting and as their mood permits. One of the biggest things we do is we jump to the alphabet or skip to the alphabet. I'll ask, "What numbers come between six and nine?" Also, reading the instructions when cooking or having them help make lunch. We do creative things (with) sidewalk chalk or a pencil and paper.

What are some discipline techniques for unruly children?

The kids know from day one who is boss. The first week they are in boot camp, is what I call it. I don't abuse the word "no" because it's a cop-out. They need to learn to use their words. I'll ask, "What did you do and how can you make this better?" A lot of kids will punish themselves more than I would.

What tip can you give someone who wants to start a childcare?

Do not do it for the money. It's long, hard hours. It's not an easy job. Your whole day is the children. Volunteer at a school or church (to try it). It's very demanding.

What would be your advice to someone looking for a childcare provider?

Go back and visit unannounced. If you go at 1 p.m. and it smells like Pine Sol and there's not a toy around, go back. Sit and observe in the car on the street. A lot of times, you can find undesirables on the street. Another good thing is to read the log in the newspaper to see where there are a lot of break-ins.

What is the biggest thing a childcare provider should provide?

Love, discipline, understanding, patience. It's very important for a child. You know they're going to get food.

How do you help children get along?

When you have a threesome and they are arguing over the same toy, I'll have them sit down and toss a ball back and forth. You have to remove the conflict and change the subject.

How do you handle not losing your patience?

Turn music on. I've been doing this for so long that you have the same problems. You just get immune to it.