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Frequently Asked Questions
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How much are Observers paid?
How long does it take to do an observation?
How often will I be called?
I took the observer training in 1999, but now they are asking me to take it again, why?
I used to be called all the time, but now I'm not. Did I do something wrong?
I was asked to drive 4 hours (one way) to do an observation; the stipend doesn't cover a hotel.
Will I be reimbursed?
I have questions about the observation I'm completing now. What do I do?
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How much are Observers paid?
Observers volunteer their time to forward quality FCC. However, to help cover the costs of conducting an observation (materials, copying, transportation, meal away from home, etc), observers are offered a $125 stipend.
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How long does it take to do an observation?
The observer should arrive early enough to see at least one family's arrival or stay late enough to see one family's departure. The observation must be 4-5 hours (with children present). The observer leaves the provider's premises for an hour to prepare for the interview and to give the provider a break. The observer then returns for the interview. After completing the interview.
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How often will I be called?
It depends on the number of providers going through the accreditation process in your area, how many of the providers you know, and how far you are willing to travel.
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I took the observer training in 1999, but now they are asking me to take it again, why?
Many things in the accreditation process and observation process have changed. We want all observers to be trained on the current program.
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I used to be called all the time, but now I'm not. Did I do something wrong?
Usually, it is simply a change in need. There are many projects that put providers through the accreditation process in waves, and they all request their observations at the same time. When the wave is over, observers are not in as much of a need in that area.
Sometimes it is a change in the observer pool: several new observers have been trained. We try to use observers at least once within several months of their training.
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I was asked to drive 4 hours (one way) to do an observation; the stipend doesn't cover a hotel. Will I be reimbursed?
When you talk to the accreditation specialist that contacted you, you will need to make that request. The specialist will research hotel/motel prices in the provider's area to find a reasonable rate. An expense form with the observer's and provider's names will be generated and, if approved, signed by the Accreditation Operations Manager. A copy of this form will be included in the observation materials. The observer will need to pay the hotel bill. When she submits her request for stipend and the observation materials, she will need to include the form with the original receipts. The items that were pre-approved will be reimbursed at the same time as the stipend is sent.
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I have questions about the observation I'm completing now. What do I do?
Make sure to document what you see and hear in the observation workbook, and document it well. Where possible, make sure all documentation is by the standard it relates to in the first five sections of the workbook. If you cannot find a standard where it relates, add the information to the summary section.
Contact the observation specialist. If the specialist is unable to answer your questions, immediate research will be completed to find your answers.
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