Anyone interested in helping setup childcare
Noticed that drupalcampLA says ‘don’t bring small children,’ but have seen some great conferences self-organize childcare by setting up a kid-friendly space and having a rotating group of volunteers there. Maybe a session isn’t the most appropriate place to propose this but since there are other volunteer sessions set up, what the hey. I don’t personally have experience doing this but thought it was worth proposing to the community. Anyone interested in making this happen?
- Login to post comments
We like kids, so we advise...
(COPIED FROM: http://2010.drupalcampla.com/sessions/childcare#comment-274)
This probably should have been a forum post to discuss and plan, but let’s go over some points quickly:
After discussing this and we have to strongly advise people not to bring small children to the event. Yes, we have seen children attend and even participate with the guidance of a parent/guardian of course. In 2009, a 14 years old Drupal pro gave a presentation and at the end finished the crowd off by distributing chocolate. While that was cool, we did not see requests for childcare in previous years. Volunteer coordinated childcare would seem like a good idea but please read ahead to see where this may not work out due to venue constraints.
First, I’d like to remind folks these events are not designed with families in mind, but instead for a community of industry professionals (and newbies). Truth being told, parents and guardians can take your children anywhere, but it is our job as organizers to make sure the event happens and happens without issue.
All camp sessions are recorded with professional video conferencing equipment, directly from the speaker mic & laptop, and are encoded on-the-fly on some awesome video server, so folks not planning to directly participate by speaking or volunteering at the camp and just want to see the sessions but have children to take into account, then please consider not attending in person and download each session video published online within a couple hours of their recording schedule.
Another note, and this is the logistical bummer: We cannot (at this time) offer any camp rooms for childcare use as they are all being used for event (BoFs, Sponsors, and Sessions). So again, to be clear, I am not turning this idea down but it doesn’t seem like it would be an easy add-on to our event since you’d need to find space on or near campus and orchestrate volunteer time & lunches.
If anyone wants to organize this, go for it
I agree I wouldn’t want disruptions, and logistics/space may actually be the determining factor… but… I fully support if a group of people want to organize childcare to do it.
However, I agree with Chris this topic should be moved to forums for discussion. Once (or if) a group figure out to pull this off, then we’ll get it added to the schedule.
(note the was posted in response to: http://2010.drupalcampla.com/sessions/childcare#comment-274 )
California State Child Care Law says....
For every six children in the room, you will need two adults, in full time attendance. Three adults if one leaves to go to the bathroom. Maybe this law does apply in this case? Otherwise, it becomes a determining factor.
Another factor is UCI insurance to cover an “advertised” child care room.
I support family and siblings, as they should come first. Building community. So…
A room filled with some toys, maybe a TV set with DVD player… and not advertised… YMMV.
Two cents worth from “I’m not lawyer.”
Perhaps we first need to define a "space" for this?
I think two comments have to be addressed first. What room or corner of a room (Registration room?) can we get for a clean floor, near by bathroom with child changing station, and put into that “space”, a few things, like chairs for parents, small table and chairs, some balls, building blocks, colorful pictures, coloring books (drupal based?), crayons, pillows, blankets, etc. Someone should make a list “we” can supply?
Signage? Or just let the “space” define itself?
Regarding the insurance and liability and state law issue… just require the parent to be present at all times. The exception to this is when one parent arranges with another, outside of of the knowledge of the organizers. Could that fly?
I do believe, regardless of what signs, rules, etc, that are posted, enforced, or not, that state law trumps everything, no matter what our claims, as long we supply a “space” dedicated to “childcare”. Would a space dedicated to “families” be constrain by the 2 adults per 6 children law?
I’m looking to undo any possible dampening my first post might have caused, by being more constructive this time. I will not be contributing to this thread as I am volunteering elsewheres, but I do believe family is important.
No "organized" childcare
Sorry, there’s not enough time left for us to organize this as part of the camp (collecting liability waivers, verifying insurance coverage, ensuring compliance with UCI policy and procedures, reserving suitable space). If someone from UCI wants to take the lead on this for 2011, let us know.
attitude towards working parents
I’m a little bothered by comments like, this event is designed for “a community of industry professionals,” as if one can’t be a parent and a working professional at the same time! Anyone who asks about bringing a child to camp probably isn’t bringing them for the fun of it. Most likely, they want to attend, and they don’t have childcare arrangements because it’s the weekend. What if your partner works weekends, or you’re a single parent? If you don’t have kids, you may not realize how much childcare costs these days. Easily over $100/day.
Everyone who’s attended a meetup or conference knows that watching via video is no substitute for being there in person. While it makes more sense for people to find child care arrangements closer to home, and it’s not legally/logistically possible to provide free child care on site, I hope the organizers and non-parents out there can be a little more sensitive toward those who have family obligations to consider. I have attended other professional conferences where child care was provided, so it’s not a crazy topic to raise. I think it’s a sign of how established and successful DrupalCampLA has become.
parents are working professionals
There was no offense meant in any of our comments, so please don’t be bothered. But do please be understanding as its the reality of the situation. While nobody posted or incited comments like “parents are not working professionals” we are very encouraging and supportive of our community.
DrupalCamp LA is growing, yes, but while other larger events are able to accomodate parents through offering childcare we are not.