McDonalds Childcare Centres

[Power Raid]

I was horrified to hear yesterday that McDonalds is moving into childcare centres.

Childcare is a good business model with healthy margins but better still is a business model very similar to macca's. that is, it is a cash flow business, can be cookie cut, management can be franchised and the real cream is the ownership of the land.

My horror relates to the fact McDonalds is famous for food that everyone understands is filled with ingredients known to kill, cause diabetes and other health issues, is addictive and there is little doubt they prey on the poor, lazy and ignorant (based on their growth in poor suburbs).

Given this is the case, is this the type of organisation we want looking after and "developing" our kids? Is this a way to influence kids?

Should we let McDonalds or other organisations like Newscorp go the whole hog and take over all levels of child development and education?

Would you leave your kids in the hands of McDonalds?

 

[JeffDunne]

Businesses diversify.

Personally I have no problem with McDonald's diversifying into child care. Better them than religiously affiliated groups.

They'll receive far more oversight and scrutiny than other groups (as evidenced by this thread). So why not?

 

[Partridge]

My horror relates to the fact McDonalds is famous for food that everyone understands is filled with ingredients known to kill, cause diabetes and other health issues, is addictive and there is little doubt they prey on the poor, lazy and ignorant (based on their growth in poor suburbs).

Of course they prey on the poor, lazy and ignorant. So do all businesses. Commercial media wouldn't exist without the lazy and ignorant, neither would the gambling industry, and religion would be out of business immediately. If you don't like Maccas fine, just don't eat there.

Would you leave your kids in the hands of McDonalds?

Easy solution. Don't take your kids there.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Call me a Bolshevik bastard, but I firmly believe the Childcare sector should be dominated by not for profit community based providers.

If private enterprise was totally frozen out in favour of a totally reformed sector with a super pump up of federal funding, that would be the best thing in the world in my view.

McDonalds running Childcare centres? Christ.

 

[Gough]

Childcare/Early Childhood Education has become a huge problem in terms of places and costs, would it be worth the government expanding the remit of the education departments in the states to include education from three years old instead of primary school age? This would free up parents to be able to return to the workforce in at least a part time role and it ensures the sector is well resourced and available to all.

 

[JeffDunne]

Call me a Bolshevik bastard, but I firmly believe the Childcare sector should be dominated by not for profit community based providers.

Maybe & fr the most part I agree, but that's a different argument.

McDonalds running Childcare centres? Christ.

Why is McDonald's any worse than any other private interest? ABC Learning for instance?

In fact I'd have thought they have access to a skill set that ultimately might help in driving the costs down.

Is there any reasonable argument against McDonalds investing in this sector?

 

[Sydney Bloods]

I was horrified to hear yesterday that McDonalds is moving into childcare centres.

Childcare is a good business model with healthy margins but better still is a business model very similar to macca's. that is, it is a cash flow business, can be cookie cut, management can be franchised and the real cream is the ownership of the land.

My horror relates to the fact McDonalds is famous for food that everyone understands is filled with ingredients known to kill, cause diabetes and other health issues, is addictive and there is little doubt they prey on the poor, lazy and ignorant (based on their growth in poor suburbs).

Given this is the case, is this the type of organisation we want looking after and "developing" our kids? Is this a way to influence kids?

Should we let McDonalds or other organisations like Newscorp go the whole hog and take over all levels of child development and education?

Would you leave your kids in the hands of McDonalds?

Ronald Mc'Donald house is one of the best run charity's in the country the level of care and support they provide is simply amazing. if they can bring even a fraction of that to the child care industry i don't see a problem. personally if i were them i wouldn't use the mc donalds brand because of sad sack mother's who can separate business models.

put it another way, would you object to Bain Capital or the Yum corporation from going into day care?
how about QSR Holdings Group?

all of these companies are fast food restaurants, they have chosen to use a different name for the parent company specifically so idiots don't do exactly what your saying.

for example did you know Lund and Company Invention, L.L.C the child's toy company is also making high tech bullets for the us military?
of course not, nobody wants to know the guys that made tickle me elmo are also making a killing (sorry) off of ammo!

 

[Sydney Bloods]

Childcare/Early Childhood Education has become a huge problem in terms of places and costs, would it be worth the government expanding the remit of the education departments in the states to include education from three years old instead of primary school age? This would free up parents to be able to return to the workforce in at least a part time role and it ensures the sector is well resourced and available to all.

the right would explode.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

Businesses diversify.

Personally I have no problem with McDonald's diversifying into child care. Better them than religiously affiliated groups.

They'll receive far more oversight and scrutiny than other groups (as evidenced by this thread). So why not?

Because, as with ABC learning and all the other private chiuldcare providers, they provide a cheaper service (meaning low-paid and ultimately poorly skilled workers). Call me a luddite, yesterday's man, whatever, but I agree with RisingPhoenix, that these services should be provided by the community, not-for-profit sector.

 

[Scotland]

I'm old fashioned, I think people should look after their own kids rather than dumping them in childcare 5 minutes after they pop out of the womb.

 

[Borry]

Unfortunately some women have to work, especially ones without partners.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scotland]

Unfortunately some women have to work, especially ones without partners.

Unfortunately so. But as long as real estate values keep rising relative to income who cares about the social effects...

I also think women without partners shouldn't be seeking to have kids, but that sort of opinion turns some people into a frenzy.

 

[kfc1]

child care workers aren't paid enough. Child care is too expensive.

 

[Scotland]

So what doees it cost anyway?

http://www.careforkids.com.au/articlesv2/article.asp?ID=127

0-24 months 4:1 kids to 'educators'
24-36 months 5:1
36 months+ 11:1

Kids under 24 months shouldn't be in childcare. That's sad.

If you assume an 8 hour day of someone getting paid $20/hr then the cost in wages is $160/day per person who can conceivably 'educate' 5 or 11 kiddies.

If you are looking after 11 kiddies then order to make a profit (based on a 3:1 ratio of wages/overheads/profit) you need to charge about $5/hr her kiddie. That doesn't seem so bad. With a 5:1 kiddie ratio it's more like $12/hr. $500 a week for someone to play with a toddler in a group seems a lot.

 

[JeffDunne]

Because, as with ABC learning and all the other private chiuldcare providers, they provide a cheaper service (meaning low-paid and ultimately poorly skilled workers). Call me a luddite, yesterday's man, whatever, but I agree with RisingPhoenix, that these services should be provided by the community, not-for-profit sector.

Like I said in a later post, I agree. However that's not the objection to McDonalds specifically.

Besides, there's not a chance in hell either major party in this country socialises child care to that extent anytime soon.

 

[Messenger]

So what doees it cost anyway?

http://www.careforkids.com.au/articlesv2/article.asp?ID=127

0-24 months 4:1 kids to 'educators'
24-36 months 5:1
36 months+ 11:1

Kids under 24 months shouldn't be in childcare. That's sad.

If you assume an 8 hour day of someone getting paid $20/hr then the cost in wages is $160/day per person who can conceivably 'educate' 5 or 11 kiddies.

If you are looking after 11 kiddies then order to make a profit (based on a 3:1 ratio of wages/overheads/profit) you need to charge about $5/hr her kiddie. That doesn't seem so bad. With a 5:1 kiddie ratio it's more like $12/hr. $500 a week for someone to play with a toddler in a group seems a lot.

That $20ph seemed low to me, but according to the modern award the range is $19-24 ph for non-supervisory roles. Liability insurance will also be a considerable expense.

 

[Scotland]

That $20ph seemed low to me, but according to the modern award the range is $19-24 ph for non-supervisory roles. Liability insurance will also be a considerable expense.

Minimum wage is about $17/hr, so it is a ballpark figure. Childcare workers are pretty low paid.

 

[Messenger]

Minimum wage is about $17/hr, so it is a ballpark figure. Childcare workers are pretty low paid.

Yeah, with any sort of qualification they are at $19 plus super. My youngest is in care two days per week. not a job I'd be keen on.

 

[Pie eyed]

Cut out the middle man.
No need for staff as Maccas can just mainline fat straight into the little bastards for cash straight from the taxpayer...then we can donate money to keep their parents housed while they go through lap band surgery at the McDonald's Hospital next door.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

Like I said in a later post, I agree. However that's not the objection to McDonalds specifically.

Besides, there's not a chance in hell either major party in this country socialises child care to that extent anytime soon.

Too true. I suppose it's less insidious than childcare being provided by pokies venues

 

[Borry]

Coles and Woolies will be making a move on them soon anyway.

 

[Cleavy]

one of these in every centre? hook them early?

 

[little graham]

Mcdonalds is the poster boy for all thats wrong in this world, this can not be good thing. They are vile and have no responsibility or respect for our communities. They only care about profit.

 

[Richard Pryor]

McChildcare

 

[little graham]

McChildcare

McPens