I met with a very nice family today. Close friends of my sister who gave them my name. I sent them both copies of my policies over 2 weeks ago.
Red flags
1) they hadn't even looked at the policies; they didn't have enough time but assumed they're all pretty standard.
2) their son is turning 2 yo in October and that's when he'd start. They've decided to hold off on giving him his MMR shots until he's 3, because she's read up on it's ties to increased chances of autism.
3) when their ds fights with others over toys, his way of responding is biting.
4) Since I wouldn't be able to take him until his birthday late Oct. they'd probably go with another dc(they have another interview this week) for the 5 weeks then switch him here.

Those were the 4 main issues that stood out for me. Other than those things, he seemed really sweet, mellow, happy, lays down for naptime really easily. Typical normal little 2 yo behavior, gets into everything, loves animals.
I am so torn on this. He's never been in care before but is very comfortable in all situations they said and doubt he'll have any issues with separation.
One thing I think may be a problem is if I ever had to call for pick up, dad would have a hard time leaving to pick him up due to the type of work he has and I'm thinking she would too.
I'll be emailing them this week, with more questions. I was really kind of upset they were too busy to even glance at my handbook. I was expecting lots of questions.

So what say you?? Bet I already know.

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Nope... no way; one for just switching after 5 weeks in another daycare

I have also had a few families swear they read my policies (on my website for free), then questions about everything that was covered online or stating they didn't agree with certain things - specifically states on my contact page, if you haven't read or agree with everything including illness pick up & no fragrance, don't send me your info to set up an interview.

And like a few others, I have turned away at the door for the fragrance issue alone. Not being able to leave work... sorry, unless you are a judge or in the middle of surgery, you best have someone that can get that child within an hour, especially in an emergency situation. I would not do a meet & greet with this family

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What do you mean by fragrance issue?

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One, I'm an Eco Healthy childcare, two, I'M allergic to fragrances/chemicals including washing machine detergent and most perfumes - causes my asthma to flare & I get migraines; I have a no fragrance policy because I do nothing but infants & many of them can be sensitive to the chemicals also. I require parents not wear cologne/perfume & they use no fragrance washing liquid/no dryer sheets or I send them on their way ( I will turn away at an interview if I can smell something)... the chemicals on dryer sheets can be worse than the fragrance sometimes. I'm not the only one on this site that does this either

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I have had parents not admit they did not read my policies but it became painfully clear that they did not within the first week. When they start asking questions simply say “that is in my policy book so I highly suggest you read it because it will answer a lot of questions for you” and then they will most likely read it.

Nothing else is really alarming to me. Some parents don’t really get that this is a business until you show them over and over again that it is a business!

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I'm an Eco Healthy Child Care too, but it doesn't have anything in their checklist about fragrances. I guess that's just your personal thing. I'm similar so I can relate, but I don't have a policy on that. I won't take children from smoking families, though.

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#1: I'm betting that at least half of parents are like this.

#2: That's a big nope at my daycare

#3: I'd NEVER take a child who I know has a biting issue

#4: I wouldn't have an issue with this if the other daycare knew what was going on. I wouldn't want to be party to doing this to someone behind their back.

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Thanks I didn't feel going to a different dc for 5 weeks then switching was good either but she offered(I didn't mention it)she would be upfront with the other dc.
I'll have to check our state regs. on immunizations but that is legal, isn't it, to refuse some/all, even if it's only based on personal opinions and not religion exempt? I've never run into the issue before.
Yeh, I'm really leery about heading into a known biting issue. She just kinda shrugged her shoulders and says we teach gentle touches/it happens. It does happen but so much easier to say when your child isn't the one going home with bite marks.

I've got to stop thinking about the money I'd be bringing in and be realistic(and SMART).
So when I email them back, thanking them for meeting with me today, how do I turn them down nicely and use for a reason? I did tell them I had a couple issues I need to think through and one was getting 4 young ones and 2 dogs safely to the backyard. The other was where I was going to place them for naps. Being so young I'd like to keep them separated and when the 2 older dcks are here when school's closed, they need to rest too. That isn't going to work.

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The biting does it for me. Nope! Hardest habit to curb IMO you have to be “on” at all times.

Also where is he biting if he has never been in care before. I’m more concerned that biting is happening already in what I assume are just play dates or times spent with cousins. Imagine it happening in full day care.

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The immunization thing is a state thing... if you are one of 3 states, CA, Mississippi or WV, then it's a definant NO Way for religious/philosophical, but it's also your business; you don't have to accept them if you take only immunized kids - unless they are subsidized, then it might get iffy. Why would school age need to have a rest... quiet time I can see, but not a "rest time"

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Any of my school agers here during nap time, rest. A good chunk of them actually fall asleep, but those that don't either lay down with audio books or a quiet movie. Nothing wrong with a rest for them and break for us

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I'm thinking many of the ones that fall asleep don't get proper rest at night. School age need quiet time, naps no... and if you need that much of a break daytime instead of keeping school age kids entertained on holidays, maybe you aren't in the right kind of work. I homeschooled my own and never expected a break once they were elementary age - just my opinion

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Welp, evidently this family didn't like my most recent email. Lol Dad left a message yesterday saying they found a place that takes toddlers and thanks for my time. At least that's what I think it said. It's my landline and it's difficult to clearly hear messages so I emailed them this a.m. to clarify.

I'm not unhappy about the outcome if that's the case so why am I feeling this little bit of ego letdown?

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Providers experience "ego letdown" because most FCC providers I know, including myself, put so much passion into their programs. I am finding that passion dwindling at times with a "whatever will be will be" due to the over-stress of trying to "please" clients. There's a good chance you dodged a bullet with this client so maybe something better will come along.

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Josie take it and run.You had feelings of doubt at least in your first email.I think gut instinct is what you should go by.Yes the money would be great but you do not have the door yet.Putting it in might take longer than you think and you originally wanted to start cutting down.Everything seems doable when the weather is nice.Then winter hits and hes biting ….I think you dodged a bullet.I know we hate when they do not "pick"us but sometimes things work out for the best.They didn't read your policies,they were sending him somewhere else for 5 weeks.

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Yeah, any parent that bops their child around with providers isn't really looking for their child's best interest... as a provider I now see how that's detrimental although I was guilty of that as a new mom years ago.

Sometimes when they go somewhere else, it's a good thing. I recently had a tour for a 2.5y girl where they were asking if i had a stepstool in the kitchen for handwashing and i said no because my babies and toddlers were climbing on it and getting hurt so i took it away. They also wanted a formal curriculum with like hours of preschool instruction and etc whereas I'm play-based and focus more on educating the whole child and learning life skills, although i do some preschool time in the morning if i have a child older than 3. with 6-8 kids under age 3 it's just too hard to get in ANY preschool time, especially with the fussy baby i have... i'm lucky to even do an art activity these days with my current crew.

sounds like be greatful is the thing

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