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lovemylife 05:31 AM 08-27-2013
I had a new daycare family start yesterday. I interviewed the family twice and they seemed amazing. I received a text message from dcm saying they need to start at 6 am the rest of the week. Contracted hours is drop off at 7:30. I told her I could do it this one time. In the future I will charge extra. Dcm picks up and starts complaining about their old provider. She had valid complaints on some of it but a few set off an alarm to me. Like her child coming home dirty. I asked what she meant. Last week he came home with dirt under his nails or ketchup on his shirt. So now I'm worried! I now feel like I need to follow the child around with a paper towel and a nail file to clean him up. I honestly don't think this new family is going to work very long. Which is frustrating because I have an amazing track record for keeping my families long term! All the kids I have now started as babies and I only had an opening because a child went to Kindergarden.
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Maria2013 05:43 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by lovemylife:
I had a new daycare family start yesterday. I interviewed the family twice and they seemed amazing. I received a text message from dcm saying they need to start at 6 am the rest of the week. Contracted hours is drop off at 7:30. I told her I could do it this one time. In the future I will charge extra. Dcm picks up and starts complaining about their old provider. She had valid complaints on some of it but a few set off an alarm to me. Like her child coming home dirty. I asked what she meant. Last week he came home with dirt under his nails or ketchup on his shirt. So now I'm worried! I now feel like I need to follow the child around with a paper towel and a nail file to clean him up. I honestly don't think this new family is going to work very long. Which is frustrating because I have an amazing track record for keeping my families long term! All the kids I have now started as babies and I only had an opening because a child went to Kindergarden.
first of all if the rule is 7:30 drop off she is already showing you she doesn't respect your rules, she is trying to see how much she can manipulate you, that could be why she didn't get along with the old provider

In a case like this I would review the rules with the parents, making it clear there is no way around it!... they either respect my rules (the same rules they've agreed and signed when they enrolled) or find another daycare

In my experience when I first opened, there is no such a thing as "just this once" if you allow them to break a rule they will try to do it over and over
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:44 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Maria2013:
first of all if the rule is 7:30 drop off she is already showing you she doesn't respect your rules, she is trying to see how much she can manipulate you, that could be why she didn't get along with the old provider

In a case like this I would review the rules with the parents, making it clear there is no way around it!... they either respect my rules (the same rules they've agreed and signed when they enrolled) or find another daycare

In my experience when I first opened, there is no such a thing as "just this once" if you allow them to break a rule they will try to do it over and over
Great advice.

I had a family somewhat like this once (as far as times go). They lasted 1 month. They thought they could sign on with me and I would accommodate them in order to keep the money they brought in. I wouldn't and replaced them with someone willing to follow the policies they signed and agreed to follow.
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Maria2013 05:55 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Great advice.

I would accommodate them in order to keep the money they brought in.
I've done that when I first opened and I was so stressed out! No more!
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Moppetland 07:47 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Maria2013:
I've done that when I first opened and I was so stressed out! No more!
I'm in this business the 2nd time around. I learned from my own mistakes because I too, let parents break my own policies. Needless to say, they took advantage. This time around, I'm not going to let money stress me out. I'm blessed with or without this business, so now, once the contract is signed, you either abide by it or you're out the door. I guess you can say I grew a backbone. But it feels good to not stress anymore.
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Leigh 08:01 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by lovemylife:
I had a new daycare family start yesterday. I interviewed the family twice and they seemed amazing. I received a text message from dcm saying they need to start at 6 am the rest of the week. Contracted hours is drop off at 7:30. I told her I could do it this one time. In the future I will charge extra. Dcm picks up and starts complaining about their old provider. She had valid complaints on some of it but a few set off an alarm to me. Like her child coming home dirty. I asked what she meant. Last week he came home with dirt under his nails or ketchup on his shirt. So now I'm worried! I now feel like I need to follow the child around with a paper towel and a nail file to clean him up. I honestly don't think this new family is going to work very long. Which is frustrating because I have an amazing track record for keeping my families long term! All the kids I have now started as babies and I only had an opening because a child went to Kindergarden.
I would tell Mom if she mentions it again that she can expect her kid to come home dirty from your home, as well. I put this paragraph into the dress code part of my handbook to prevent such complaints:

EVERY child shall have at least one complete change of clothing to be left at daycare (potty training kids and infants will require more). Do not expect your child to return home clean every day...kids that have fun playing get dirty! Do not expect your child to show up in new white clothes and return home that way-they will not. They're messy at playing and messy at eating.
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caregiver 08:10 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Leigh:
I would tell Mom if she mentions it again that she can expect her kid to come home dirty from your home, as well. I put this paragraph into the dress code part of my handbook to prevent such complaints:

EVERY child shall have at least one complete change of clothing to be left at daycare (potty training kids and infants will require more). Do not expect your child to return home clean every day...kids that have fun playing get dirty! Do not expect your child to show up in new white clothes and return home that way-they will not. They're messy at playing and messy at eating.
Love it! Very well stated!
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lovemylife 03:38 PM 08-27-2013
Thank you everyone! Still leaving to grow a back bone. I have never been good at it and I always want to help people. Unfortunately I'm going to have to make it work. One of my long time moms informed me that she was laid off today. So she gave me her 2 weeks notice for full time, she will switch to part time until she finds a job. I'm currently already hurting after loosing kiddos to Kindergarden. So I'm a bit freaked right now.
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MamaBear 03:49 PM 08-27-2013
I say stick to your policies and dont let her manipulate you!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:23 PM 08-27-2013
You'd be surprised at how many parents won't leave when you have a backbone but will in fact show more respect for you.
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MamaBear 04:32 PM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
You'd be surprised at how many parents won't leave when you have a backbone but will in fact show more respect for you.
Amen... I've discovered this over the years as well! Very true!
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Tags:backbone, parents - don't cooperate, red flag
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