The Simpsons attend a YMCA open house, designed to highlight the Y’s many programs. Kobe Bryant announces that he’s purchased the Springfield Y,and plans to turn it into a nature preserve, where he can hunt the deadliest game of all: man. Homer plays basketball. Lenny, who is also playing ball, is unhappy with a call, takes the ball, and goes home. But it wasn’t his ball, so Kobe Bryant heads out after him, rifle cocked. Homer plots an illegal play for his team, and in trying to execute it, hurts his knee. Dr. Hibbert operates, and advises that Homer will need a lengthy rehabilitation period at home, and won’t be able to work. Homer pretends to be devastated at the news.

In fact, Homer is bored,sitting at home. He amuses himself by trying to breed Santa’s Little Helper and Snowball II, which doesn’t work.Ned Flanders arrives, and asks Homer to baby-sit Rod and Todd. Ned explains that he has tickets to a Christian rock concert (although we see in close-up that his tickets are actually to “Chris Rock In Concert”). Homer agrees, and discovers he doesn’t mind the task. For their part, Rod and Todd have a blast under Homer’s guidance, messily eating jelly and candy sandwiches and watching TV. When Ned returns, Rod and Todd ask if they can stay with Homer every day after school. Homer, who got paid for baby-sitting, agrees. Soon Homer is running a full-fledged daycare center. Rod, Todd, Ralph Wiggum, Milhouse, and even Apu s octuplets attend. Homer discovers that he likes the childish mindset his days require,and his wards seem to love him and his unhealthy care-taking. The kids begin complimenting Lisa and Bart on Homer’s greatness. But Lisa and Bart, however, aren’t getting any attention, and they resent it.

Dave Shutton arrives at the Simpson’s with a film crew. Dave announces that Homer has been nominated for a “Good Guy” award, to honor his work improving the community via the daycare center. The crew sets up to shoot footage of Homer at work. Bart and Lisa are not happy to discover that the crew has taken over their bedrooms. At the award ceremony, Krusty emcee’s. Lady Bird Johnson wins the first award, for beautifying Springfield. Homer ’s category is next, and he beats Principal Skinner and Mother Teresa, Jr.(a man in drag) to win. Tape of Homer at work rolls…but the tape has been altered. Instead of a tribute piece, we hear an expose’ stating that Homer is a big phony. It seems Bart and Lisa changed the voice-over, and added their own footage…of Homer passed out in his underwear, chasing Bart, etc. The parents in attendance at the ceremony are outraged, and withdraw their kids’from Homer’s care. Crazed Homer insists that no one will take “his” kids from him…then lets go of Bart and Lisa and runs away with his daycare wards. Angry parents pursue him. Kent Brockman picks up the chase on TV, reporting that several children have been kidnapped, and tossing to Arnie Pye in a helicopter. But Homer quickly crashes into a tree, then runs from the scene, all of which is recorded in classic live-chase style, from the helicopter. Homer is too slow and fat to get far, though, and is quickly caught. Homer’s daycare business is closed down. Homer asks Bart and Lisa why they ratted him out, guessing that it might have been because he showered love on other children while ignoring his own. Lisa and Bart confirm that was it, and head back inside with Homer to watch TV.