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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Should I Pursue This Potential Client Or RUN FAR AWAY?
Lilbutterflie 05:01 AM 05-11-2012
I have had an open full time spot for 6 weeks now. I have not really had ANY good leads, and NO interviews for this spot despite lots of advertising & word of mouth! FINALLY I got an email to care for a little girl (right now we have ALL boys!), and she is just the right age to fit in with our group. BUT, here's what the email said:
"Wantng to enroll my 22 month old daugher however we do not nap at home. What are your rules on nap at daycare? is there somethng else she can do? i dont want her to have to have "lay down while everyone else naps ether"
please tell me what you would do....
thanks"
Do you think I will be able to convince mom that napping is in the best interest of her little girl and with some work CAN be accomplished at daycare? Or should I RUN FAR AWAY from this potential client?
"Wantng to enroll my 22 month old daugher however we do not nap at home. What are your rules on nap at daycare? is there somethng else she can do? i dont want her to have to have "lay down while everyone else naps ether"
please tell me what you would do....
thanks"
Do you think I will be able to convince mom that napping is in the best interest of her little girl and with some work CAN be accomplished at daycare? Or should I RUN FAR AWAY from this potential client?
saved4always 05:06 AM 05-11-2012
I have found that parents who are totally against napping are not likely to give in to you on this. Thier routine is probably working for them and they are not going to want to mess it up. I think they will take it that you "just don't want to ruin your break"....which, of course, I didn't. 
You could answer back with your philosophy on napping and your rules just to feel her out, but going by the verbiage of her email, it doesn't sound like she will agree to nap her daughter. So, if you feel strongly that she needs to nap and this not negotiable, you may want to keep looking for a better match.
You could answer back with your philosophy on napping and your rules just to feel her out, but going by the verbiage of her email, it doesn't sound like she will agree to nap her daughter. So, if you feel strongly that she needs to nap and this not negotiable, you may want to keep looking for a better match.
CheekyChick 05:06 AM 05-11-2012
I would quote all of the reasons napping is important for the good health and well-being of little ones. I would then ask her why she doesn't want her child to nap. If she has a LEGITIMATE reason - then I would meet with her. If she simply says she wants her child to sleep well at night, I would RUN.
Creek 05:11 AM 05-11-2012
I would send a nice reply quoting your handbook on your rules for sleeping, reiterate why sleeping is good for toddlers like her daughter. Like pp said, ask why she doesn't want her daughter to sleep. I personally wouldn't take such a young child that didn't sleep. I need my break time too. My DD who will be 4 in June still naps for 2 hours. I have a newly 4 year old DCG who naps for 1 1/2hrs. All my other ones who are younger nap for 2 hours.
If it's just because they want to get home, feed her and put her to bed - I would run.
If it's just because they want to get home, feed her and put her to bed - I would run.
SilverSabre25 05:18 AM 05-11-2012
RUN.
Run far, FAR away.
I wouldn't touch that one with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole.
Run far, FAR away.
I wouldn't touch that one with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole.
lil angels 05:31 AM 05-11-2012
Don't she will be a thorn in your side! Wait for the right one.
morgan24 05:34 AM 05-11-2012
I wouldn't do it. I think that most parents that request no nap want their kids to be exhausted so that going to bed is not a battle they have to fight. I don't think you will be able to change her mind about a nap.
DaisyMamma 05:36 AM 05-11-2012
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
RUN.
Run far, FAR away.
I wouldn't touch that one with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole.
Me either. Nap time is vital.RUN.
Run far, FAR away.
I wouldn't touch that one with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole.
countrymom 06:13 AM 05-11-2012
Run!!!!!!!
Lilbutterflie 06:31 AM 05-11-2012
Thank you all for your advice! I decided to respond nicely; and tell her all the reasons why I believe toddlers need their mid-day naps; and give her my plan to get her daughter on a nap. I also asked for what reason/s her daughter does not nap. I made it clear in my email that I was not willing to compromise on our nap routine, so I doubt I will hear from her again.
I'm just so frustrated! Finally I get an inquiry for a child the exact age I was hoping for to fit in with our group; and she happens to come with a DCP that probably won't fit in here. BLAH. I need to fill this spot!
On the bright side... HAPPY FRIDAY! HAPPY PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY! AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMMIES!
I'm just so frustrated! Finally I get an inquiry for a child the exact age I was hoping for to fit in with our group; and she happens to come with a DCP that probably won't fit in here. BLAH. I need to fill this spot!
On the bright side... HAPPY FRIDAY! HAPPY PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY! AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMMIES!
makap 07:31 AM 05-11-2012
NO WAY! You need at least an hour to eat and have a break just like anyone else who has a job! Wait for a more suitable fit!
wdmmom 07:55 AM 05-11-2012
No way, Jose. I wouldn't walk, I'd run as far and as fast as you can from that train wreck!!!
Lilbutterflie 08:49 AM 05-11-2012
As expected, the mom responded to my email:
"Ok thank you, I'll find somewhere else."
I am so tempted to respond to her saying "Ok, good luck with that!"
"Ok thank you, I'll find somewhere else."
I am so tempted to respond to her saying "Ok, good luck with that!"
cheerfuldom 09:48 AM 05-11-2012
no don't respond. she will hear about 50 "no's" from various providers and either go with a SAHM or a friend or something. I don't know of a single provider here or locally that would be okay with a 1 year old up ALL day and not even laying down quietly for the sake of the other kids. I would be more concerned that she clearly doesnt have any concern for the group as whole (otherwise she would agree to laying down for awhile) than that she wasnt pro-nap. Saying she doesnt even want her laying down tells me that she wants to pick up and do bedtime around 6pm.
daycare 09:56 AM 05-11-2012
those who come in with any special request like this will just be the start of many... I would just respond with...
thank so much for your inquiry in my daycare. I regret to inform you that my program requires that all children take naps. Best of luck in your search.
thank so much for your inquiry in my daycare. I regret to inform you that my program requires that all children take naps. Best of luck in your search.
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:56 AM 05-11-2012
Friend, I highly doubt she will find any daycare for her not even 2-year-old that doesn't have a rest time.
I received an e-mail yesterday with this:
"What if my son doesn't nap? Is that a problem?"
I responded with:
"All children in my care are required to rest during our Rest Time. If they are awake after 1 hour, a quiet alternate activity is provided for them. This is required by the state of Texas.
Due to being extremely active the Preschoolers typically fall asleep within 10 minutes, even the children that do not nap at home!"
To which I got:
"Ok, thank you."
I received an e-mail yesterday with this:
"What if my son doesn't nap? Is that a problem?"
I responded with:
"All children in my care are required to rest during our Rest Time. If they are awake after 1 hour, a quiet alternate activity is provided for them. This is required by the state of Texas.
Due to being extremely active the Preschoolers typically fall asleep within 10 minutes, even the children that do not nap at home!"
To which I got:
"Ok, thank you."
Lilbutterflie 10:59 AM 05-11-2012
Originally Posted by LCLC:
Friend, I highly doubt she will find any daycare for her not even 2-year-old that doesn't have a rest time.
I received an e-mail yesterday with this:
"What if my son doesn't nap? Is that a problem?"
I responded with:
"All children in my care are required to rest during our Rest Time. If they are awake after 1 hour, a quiet alternate activity is provided for them. This is required by the state of Texas.
Due to being extremely active the Preschoolers typically fall asleep within 10 minutes, even the children that do not nap at home!"
To which I got:
"Ok, thank you."
Yes, I responded to her pretty much with the same response. To which I got the same response... "Ok, thank you. I will find someone else." Friend, I highly doubt she will find any daycare for her not even 2-year-old that doesn't have a rest time.
I received an e-mail yesterday with this:
"What if my son doesn't nap? Is that a problem?"
I responded with:
"All children in my care are required to rest during our Rest Time. If they are awake after 1 hour, a quiet alternate activity is provided for them. This is required by the state of Texas.
Due to being extremely active the Preschoolers typically fall asleep within 10 minutes, even the children that do not nap at home!"
To which I got:
"Ok, thank you."
You are right, she isn't going to find any provider to agree not to let her child rest! She probably will end up with a friend, family member, or nanny.
EntropyControlSpecialist 03:05 PM 05-11-2012
Still praying for your spot!
momma2girls 03:26 PM 05-11-2012
If I had a 4 yr. daycare child, they would still nap at naptime. I would never allow a parent to run my daycare for any reason!!!!
Christian Mother 11:07 PM 05-11-2012
yup, I am the same way...no nap no daycare....
I have a dcf that when they first contacted me said that their son does not nap and that they have a very hard time getting him to sleep at night so that is why they keep him up. I told him that I have a no nap no daycare policy. So she opted to pick up him at nap time and then take him to work with her for the 3 hrs that we have naptime and then bring him back. It got to be to much for her after a few months that they went on vacation and seriously worked on it. Was able to get him down for naps regular while out there for a month.
It was me constantly telling her that until they act the parent and consistently put him to bed at night and wake him up in the mornings he is going to dictate to them what he wants. They need to be the parents not him. It isn't healthy for him to be the parent. I told them that here we are on a schedule each day...the children know what to expect everyday and they learn to rely on that schedule. It took about a wk here in daycare to get him alimented and he was great! He's one of my best sleepers now.
Oh, and at the time he was a new 2 yr old...lol!
I have a dcf that when they first contacted me said that their son does not nap and that they have a very hard time getting him to sleep at night so that is why they keep him up. I told him that I have a no nap no daycare policy. So she opted to pick up him at nap time and then take him to work with her for the 3 hrs that we have naptime and then bring him back. It got to be to much for her after a few months that they went on vacation and seriously worked on it. Was able to get him down for naps regular while out there for a month.
It was me constantly telling her that until they act the parent and consistently put him to bed at night and wake him up in the mornings he is going to dictate to them what he wants. They need to be the parents not him. It isn't healthy for him to be the parent. I told them that here we are on a schedule each day...the children know what to expect everyday and they learn to rely on that schedule. It took about a wk here in daycare to get him alimented and he was great! He's one of my best sleepers now.
Oh, and at the time he was a new 2 yr old...lol!
LittleD 06:06 PM 05-12-2012
I have to say, I have come across the very odd child who actually does NOT nap, nor need one. My BFF's son, no matter what we did, even as an infant, would NOT nap! 40 mins and then he was up, nothing worked. And he did not suffer from it. And 1 other little girl I had, who at 2.5 yrs just wouldn't sleep after 1 hr. Tried everything, just wouldn't really nap, and she was fine. Luckily she didn't stay long after that.
Pout 09:00 AM 05-14-2012
That parent sounds weird. Why would they not want their child to take a nap? I'm guessing it's because they want her to be so tired by the time they pick her up from daycare that they can just put her straight to bed when they get home and not have to deal with her. 
That's nice. Either way, whatever their reason is, they obviously don't know how important nap times are for children. Plus, she would probably fall asleep on her own! What would they do then? Get mad at you?
That's nice. Either way, whatever their reason is, they obviously don't know how important nap times are for children. Plus, she would probably fall asleep on her own! What would they do then? Get mad at you?
Blackcat31 09:05 AM 05-14-2012
Originally Posted by LittleD:
I have to say, I have come across the very odd child who actually does NOT nap, nor need one. My BFF's son, no matter what we did, even as an infant, would NOT nap! 40 mins and then he was up, nothing worked. And he did not suffer from it. And 1 other little girl I had, who at 2.5 yrs just wouldn't sleep after 1 hr. Tried everything, just wouldn't really nap, and she was fine. Luckily she didn't stay long after that.
My own DS was exactly like your BFF's son. He NEVER napped and on the rare occassion that I could get him to, it was for maybe 20 minutes if I was lucky. I have to say, I have come across the very odd child who actually does NOT nap, nor need one. My BFF's son, no matter what we did, even as an infant, would NOT nap! 40 mins and then he was up, nothing worked. And he did not suffer from it. And 1 other little girl I had, who at 2.5 yrs just wouldn't sleep after 1 hr. Tried everything, just wouldn't really nap, and she was fine. Luckily she didn't stay long after that.
However, when he went to daycare (while I worked) and then while at my daycare, he was still required to rest quietly while the other kids napped.
There are probably alot of kids out there like that and it is probably a providers (and parents) worst case scenario but I just approached it as rest time, rather than nap time. I really don't care if any or all of my DCK's sleep but they are ALL required to rest quietly.
I would have told that DCM looking for care that I would never forcce her child to nap (which is impossibly anyways) but I would absolutely be providing a rest/quiet time for the benefit of her child, the other daycare kids and myself.
littlemissmuffet 10:20 AM 05-14-2012
I couldn't do it. I WOULDN'T do it. I understand that some kids just will not nap during nap time... but parents need to understand that many daycares do not take on kids like that. She might have a difficult time finding care, but that's her responsibility as a parent.
Good luck to the OP filling yur space!
Good luck to the OP filling yur space!
Bookworm 12:57 PM 05-14-2012
RUN! DO NOT pass Go and defininatly DO NOT collect her "$200".
Mydaycare 02:58 PM 05-14-2012
I'm sure she will not find a provider for her 22 mo girl!! Even my b&a school kids nap and they are 9, 8, 7 & 6