Summary: <h1>Parent Driven Development</h1> <h2>Episode 009: Planning Childcare at Conferences</h2> <h3>00:25 We're joined by <a href="https://twitter.com/aphoenix" rel="nofollow">Abby Phoenix</a> today</h3> <h3>01:00 When did childcare at Ruby Central events start?</h3> <p>started in 2015 and have now been at 6 conferences<br> The intention is to always have childcare at <a href="https://railsconf.com/" rel="nofollow">RailsConf</a> and <a href="https://rubyconf.org/" rel="nofollow">RubyConf</a></p> <h3>03:37 Where to start when you want to have childcare at your conference</h3> <p>Treat it as any other vendor<br> Go to the conference venue and ask for recommendations<br> Ask for recommendations from the hotel, local user groups, etc.</p> <h3>6:10 Smaller conferences</h3> <p>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</p> <h3>7:30 Very important that childcare is based in the city of the conference</h3> <p>They know how to get around<br> They have alternative options<br> They are on time <br> They have the equipment they need</p> <h3>9:10 How many people use childcare at conferences?</h3> <p>Typically 5-7 kids <br> Usually younger children especially since RubyConf and RailsConf are during the school year so most older children are in school <br> Always a question of whether or not a parent can make it work because bringing a child to a conference can be challenging</p> <h3>13:45 Lactation room is also offered</h3> <p>Visibility is very important<br> It is important that it is known in the community that childcare and lactation rooms are available at these conferences<br> What to call the lactation room?<br> How it works at a conference to make sure you don't get walking in on and to make sure it is easy<br> The lactation room has outlets and a fridge.</p> <h3>20:20 We tangent about all the things we can't wait to forget as parents</h3> <p>Diapers<br> Wiping bums<br> and more</p> <h3>21:30 Lactation rooms are really easy to put in place as a conference organizer</h3> <h3>22:20 What have been the biggest challenges of providing childcare at a conference?</h3> <p>There were things we did not know to ask when we started and so now we have a list which is helpful<br> Abby goes in to which questions they have started to ask </p> <h3>26:00 What do you wish you could provide?</h3> <p>Evening childcare so parents can do things.<br> They will try to work with childcare providers to offer after-hours care but can't provide it themselves </p> <h3>31:00 Childcare is often tailored to 1-5 year olds</h3> <p>Most of the participants are younger</p> <h3>32:00 Mandy talks about what you can do with an older child at a conference</h3> <p>Is it worth it to bring an older child to a conference?<br> What conferences have a "kids track"?<br> How to engage older kids at conferences?<br> The childcare provider will often tailor childcare towards the age range of the children there </p> <h3>39:30 What are the costs involved for organizers and participants</h3> <p>Participants are not charged for using childcare<br> Discussion about costs in different cities</p> <h3>44:00 Genius / Fail moments</h3> <p><em>Allison</em> - 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<br> <em>Andy</em> - After a difficult day, my daughter wrote "I love you daddy, even when you're grumpy" #Genius? or #Fail?<br> <em>Mandy</em> - My daughter got the principals award for having a positive attitude, was responsible, did homework, and more. I was very proud! #Genius<br> <em>KWu</em> - 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<br> <em>Abby</em> - 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 <br> 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</p> <h3>54:00 RubyConf is coming!</h3> <p>Find more information at <a href="https://twitter.com/rubyconf" rel="nofollow">@rubyconf</a> and <a href="https://rubyconf.org/" rel="nofollow">rubyconf.org</a> has some information right now.<br> Registration will open in August or September</p> <h3>54:40 Contact Us!</h3> <p>Email us to ask questions.</p> <h3>Follow & Support</h3> <p>Please follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/parentdrivendev" rel="nofollow">@parentdrivendev</a> on Twitter or email us at <a href="mailto:panel@parentdrivendevelopment.com" rel="nofollow">panel@parentdrivendevelopment.com</a>. Our website is at <a href="https://parentdrivendevelopment.com" rel="nofollow">ParentDrivenDevelopment.com</a><br> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/parentdrivendev" rel="nofollow">Support us via Patreon</a> and get access to our our Slack Community.</p> <h2>Panel:</h2> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/therubyrep" rel="nofollow">Mandy Moore</a><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/allie_p" rel="nofollow">Allison McMillan</a><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/kwu" rel="nofollow">KWu</a><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/andycroll" rel="nofollow">Andy Croll</a></p><p>Special Guest: Abby Phoenix.</p>
