009: Planning Childcare at Conferences

Parent Driven Development Episode 009: Planning Childcare at Conferences 00:25 We're joined by Abby Phoenix today 01:00 When did childcare at Ruby Central events start? started in 2015 and have now been at 6 conferences The intention is to always have childcare at RailsConf and RubyConf 03:37 Where to start when you want to have childcare at your conference Treat it as any other vendor Go to the conference venue and ask for recommendations Ask for recommendations from the hotel, local user groups, etc. 6:10 Smaller conferences Smaller conferences are a little more difficult but also easier because if it's in the same location every year you can use the same provider year after year 7:30 Very important that childcare is based in the city of the conference They know how to get around They have alternative options They are on time They have the equipment they need 9:10 How many people use childcare at conferences? Typically 5-7 kids Usually younger children especially since RubyConf and RailsConf are during the school year so most older children are in school Always a question of whether or not a parent can make it work because bringing a child to a conference can be challenging 13:45 Lactation room is also offered Visibility is very important It is important that it is known in the community that childcare and lactation rooms are available at these conferences What to call the lactation room? How it works at a conference to make sure you don't get walking in on and to make sure it is easy The lactation room has outlets and a fridge. 20:20 We tangent about all the things we can't wait to forget as parents Diapers Wiping bums and more 21:30 Lactation rooms are really easy to put in place as a conference organizer 22:20 What have been the biggest challenges of providing childcare at a conference? There were things we did not know to ask when we started and so now we have a list which is helpful Abby goes in to which questions they have started to ask 26:00 What do you wish you could provide? Evening childcare so parents can do things. They will try to work with childcare providers to offer after-hours care but can't provide it themselves 31:00 Childcare is often tailored to 1-5 year olds Most of the participants are younger 32:00 Mandy talks about what you can do with an older child at a conference Is it worth it to bring an older child to a conference? What conferences have a "kids track"? How to engage older kids at conferences? The childcare provider will often tailor childcare towards the age range of the children there 39:30 What are the costs involved for organizers and participants Participants are not charged for using childcare Discussion about costs in different cities 44:00 Genius / Fail moments Allison - My daughter has had a rough few weeks and loves being bounced on a ball but it's tiring for me and hurts my back, so I put her on the ball, tummy down, bounced her, and it calmed her down and she got gas out #Genius Andy - After a difficult day, my daughter wrote "I love you daddy, even when you're grumpy" #Genius? or #Fail? Mandy - My daughter got the principals award for having a positive attitude, was responsible, did homework, and more. I was very proud! #Genius KWu - I'm on call for the week and so I set up a daybed in the office and negotiated with my husband that after the wake-ups, I would go to the office and turn off the monitor and be off duty for a few hours #Genius Abby - My daughters are very picky eaters. My youngest will eat waffles that she'll eat for breakfast. Recently she brought one over to me and said, "mommy I really like these. I like that there is candy inside" #Fail With my oldest, I asked her to describe her perfect meal and I thought she'd talk about candy or ice cream but she said "My perfect meal is a cheese plate" and so from then on every night has been a cheese plate for dinner, which to her means little bits of a variety of food #Genius 54:00 RubyConf is coming! Find more information at @rubyconf and rubyconf.org has some information right now. Registration will open in August or September 54:40 Contact Us! Email us to ask questions. Follow & Support Please follow us @parentdrivendev on Twitter or email us at [email protected]. Our website is at ParentDrivenDevelopment.com Support us via Patreon and get access to our our Slack Community. Panel: Mandy Moore Allison McMillan KWu Andy CrollSpecial Guest: Abby Phoenix.