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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>No Emergency Contacts?
Sugar Magnolia 11:59 AM 06-25-2014
I have a new client, single mom. She just moved here from out of state. I reviewed her paper work and she has nobody listed as an emergency contact. I have never come across this, usually everyone has a relative, friend, trusted neighbor, SOMEBODY who I can contact in the event of an emergency and I can't reach a parent. She said she doesn't know anybody here. What would you all do?
AmyKidsCo 12:04 PM 06-25-2014
For licensing they have to put SOMEONE, otherwise I get written up. Can she list a pastor/priest? Boss? Coworker?
mrsnj 12:07 PM 06-25-2014
I require someone too
EntropyControlSpecialist 12:08 PM 06-25-2014
It is just unwise to have NO ONE there. I require at least two.
Blackcat31 01:14 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia:
I have a new client, single mom. She just moved here from out of state. I reviewed her paper work and she has nobody listed as an emergency contact. I have never come across this, usually everyone has a relative, friend, trusted neighbor, SOMEBODY who I can contact in the event of an emergency and I can't reach a parent. She said she doesn't know anybody here. What would you all do?
I've had this issue too...my licensor said she HAS to put someone. I have a new client, single mom. She just moved here from out of state. I reviewed her paper work and she has nobody listed as an emergency contact. I have never come across this, usually everyone has a relative, friend, trusted neighbor, SOMEBODY who I can contact in the event of an emergency and I can't reach a parent. She said she doesn't know anybody here. What would you all do?
Landlord, co-worker, boss....someone.
...or I am in violation of my state laws and I am not willing to be cited because a DCP hasn't made any friends here yet.
daycare 01:16 PM 06-25-2014
I have had this same exact situation and I just made her put her names down even though they were not local.
i told her that once she got to know someone and trusted them that she could update that information for me.
Within 3 months she added her co-worker to the list.
Does it say that the people have to be local? This DCms closest relative was 3000 miles away.
i told her that once she got to know someone and trusted them that she could update that information for me.
Within 3 months she added her co-worker to the list.
Does it say that the people have to be local? This DCms closest relative was 3000 miles away.
Second Home 01:17 PM 06-25-2014
I had this problem when I moved to MD . I knew no one or trusted any one to be my contact but I had to list an emergency contact . I listed my family back home and the school accepted it knowing they were 400 miles away and couldn't get there if need be .
Hopefully soon she may have a contact to list but in the meantime maybe she could list her employer since that is where shes hould be while the child is in care .
Hopefully soon she may have a contact to list but in the meantime maybe she could list her employer since that is where shes hould be while the child is in care .
GKJNIGMN 01:21 PM 06-25-2014
When I moved to where I live now all my family was 20 hours away. When I ended up enrolling my children in daycare I just put their phone numbers anyway.
My daycare provider did call my mother one time. I have no idea why she didn't call me first but my mom was at least able to give her the ok for what she was trying to get permission for.
Make sure you stress to her that she has to be available when you need to get in touch with her. I was constantly checking my phone when I was in that situation but I have had parents who drop their kids off and act like they no longer exist.
My daycare provider did call my mother one time. I have no idea why she didn't call me first but my mom was at least able to give her the ok for what she was trying to get permission for.
Make sure you stress to her that she has to be available when you need to get in touch with her. I was constantly checking my phone when I was in that situation but I have had parents who drop their kids off and act like they no longer exist.
Solandia 02:52 PM 06-25-2014
I require at least one non-parent LOCAL emergency contact. If they cannot do that, they cannot be here. Even more so with a single mom, assuming the child's dad is not local.
I HAVE to be able to contact someone. It is in the child's best interest, the mom's, and mine. *I* don't want to have to contact CPS on a client because they are unreachable for whatever reason (work, accident, traffic stop/arrest). Or in the case of one of my dcparents...fell asleep at home and didn't hear the phone ring for 3 hours.
When I was licensed, I was required to have a policy(and follow that policy) that includes notifying authorities in the case of an abandoned child. Meaning, parents/emergency contacts are all unreachable.
I HAVE to be able to contact someone. It is in the child's best interest, the mom's, and mine. *I* don't want to have to contact CPS on a client because they are unreachable for whatever reason (work, accident, traffic stop/arrest). Or in the case of one of my dcparents...fell asleep at home and didn't hear the phone ring for 3 hours.
When I was licensed, I was required to have a policy(and follow that policy) that includes notifying authorities in the case of an abandoned child. Meaning, parents/emergency contacts are all unreachable.
nannyde 02:57 PM 06-25-2014
No can do. Too risky
Annalee 03:00 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I've had this issue too...my licensor said she HAS to put someone.
Landlord, co-worker, boss....someone.
...or I am in violation of my state laws and I am not willing to be cited because a DCP hasn't made any friends here yet.
I've had this issue too...my licensor said she HAS to put someone.
Landlord, co-worker, boss....someone.
...or I am in violation of my state laws and I am not willing to be cited because a DCP hasn't made any friends here yet.
same here...we have to have 3 emergency contacts!
TwinKristi 04:12 PM 06-25-2014
My newest family is from out of the area and really doesn't know anyone here. The DCM put her boss on there! LOL
Sugar Magnolia 05:09 PM 06-25-2014
I talked to her about it at pick-up and she put her family members out of state. She literally knows knows no one locally. She seems very lonely. Her job is very impersonal and her boss/coworkers are totally out. She is interviewing sitters for weekend care, she said she'll use that person....once she finds them. It's kinda sad. 
Sugar Magnolia 05:14 PM 06-25-2014
I should add that she is very reachable via call or text and answers texts within seconds and has good job flexibility if she has to pick him up stat......really just concerned if something happened to HER, like an accident, not so much dcb. Kwim?
hope 05:20 PM 06-25-2014
It doesn't matter if they don't know anyone, I would still require a number. She can list her boss and her bosses boss.
When I 1st started dc I had a parent fill out all the forms and never looked closely at the actual emergency contacts. I just saw that they were filled in. Dcg, a newborn, became I'll and her fever quickly rose at an alarming rate. I called dcm and she said to contact dcd. He was unreachable. I then called her back and she said she couldn't leave work, completely refused. At this point I thought the baby needed to be taken to the hospital so I grabbed her forms to call emergency contacts. Her contacts were from across the country!!!! So I called dcm back and said me next call was to child services and 911. She came.
point is....your dcm can say she was in a meeting or cell phone battery went dead and you may have a real emergency on your hands. You need back up numbers.
When I 1st started dc I had a parent fill out all the forms and never looked closely at the actual emergency contacts. I just saw that they were filled in. Dcg, a newborn, became I'll and her fever quickly rose at an alarming rate. I called dcm and she said to contact dcd. He was unreachable. I then called her back and she said she couldn't leave work, completely refused. At this point I thought the baby needed to be taken to the hospital so I grabbed her forms to call emergency contacts. Her contacts were from across the country!!!! So I called dcm back and said me next call was to child services and 911. She came.
point is....your dcm can say she was in a meeting or cell phone battery went dead and you may have a real emergency on your hands. You need back up numbers.
Mister Sir Husband 07:08 PM 06-25-2014
I was told by licensor that not only are contacts required, but every few months (Will have to look up exactly how often) I am required to call them to make sure they exist and can be reached. He didn't however say how close they need to live. Obviously it was implied that they would be local, but he didn't actually say this..
Blackcat31 06:16 AM 06-26-2014
Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia:
I should add that she is very reachable via call or text and answers texts within seconds and has good job flexibility if she has to pick him up stat......really just concerned if something happened to HER, like an accident, not so much dcb. Kwim?
Wow, that is kind of sad when you think about it that way....I should add that she is very reachable via call or text and answers texts within seconds and has good job flexibility if she has to pick him up stat......really just concerned if something happened to HER, like an accident, not so much dcb. Kwim?
What if something did happen to her?
How come she moved so far away from family and friends? Why there if she doesn't know anyone?
Was it job related?
permanentvacation 06:37 AM 06-26-2014
I have had a handful of parents that recently moved here and have no contacts in the area. They tell me they don't know anyone here and have no one to put on the contact list. My licensing specialist doesn't care if the emergency contacts live in another state - even though I find that completely useless! They just care that the parents have 3 other people on the emergency contact list. So, if you feel comfortable taking the family, maybe you can tell them to put family/friends from the state they just moved from.
CedarCreek 06:58 AM 06-26-2014
Sugar, do you know of any play-date type groups or anything that you could suggest to her to get her out there?
I feel bad that she doesn't know anyone.
I am new to my part of town and I have a hard time meeting people and making friends. I did meet my neighbor recently when I was locked out of my house. (In my pjs) But I don't recommend that!
She did tell me about a dog park nearby so I took my foster dog. I met a lady about my age with a daughter my sons age. We exchanged numbers. I haven't called her to meet up yet but I am excited I made a friend..kind-of!
I feel bad that she doesn't know anyone.
I am new to my part of town and I have a hard time meeting people and making friends. I did meet my neighbor recently when I was locked out of my house. (In my pjs) But I don't recommend that!
She did tell me about a dog park nearby so I took my foster dog. I met a lady about my age with a daughter my sons age. We exchanged numbers. I haven't called her to meet up yet but I am excited I made a friend..kind-of!
Sugar Magnolia 10:15 AM 06-26-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Wow, that is kind of sad when you think about it that way....
What if something did happen to her?
How come she moved so far away from family and friends? Why there if she doesn't know anyone?
Was it job related?
I'm really not sure......for work I think. Wow, that is kind of sad when you think about it that way....
What if something did happen to her?
How come she moved so far away from family and friends? Why there if she doesn't know anyone?
Was it job related?
She refused to put her boss as a contact (not local anyways...DC), and her work number is listed on the form. I obviously can't force her to use a boss or co worker she doesn't really know or like. I hope she makes friends here......she is a busy executive.
She did list her family up north. There is truly no one local, except for a babysitter she hopes to hire. Licensing requires someone, does not specify they must be local.
Sugar Magnolia 10:24 AM 06-26-2014
Originally Posted by CedarCreek:
Sugar, do you know of any play-date type groups or anything that you could suggest to her to get her out there?
I feel bad that she doesn't know anyone.
I am new to my part of town and I have a hard time meeting people and making friends. I did meet my neighbor recently when I was locked out of my house. (In my pjs) But I don't recommend that!
She did tell me about a dog park nearby so I took my foster dog. I met a lady about my age with a daughter my sons age. We exchanged numbers. I haven't called her to meet up yet but I am excited I made a friend..kind-of!
I don't see her as a play date type person......she's very reserved. She is friendly.....but not friend-y. Some people are just not looking for a BFF. Sugar, do you know of any play-date type groups or anything that you could suggest to her to get her out there?
I feel bad that she doesn't know anyone.
I am new to my part of town and I have a hard time meeting people and making friends. I did meet my neighbor recently when I was locked out of my house. (In my pjs) But I don't recommend that!
She did tell me about a dog park nearby so I took my foster dog. I met a lady about my age with a daughter my sons age. We exchanged numbers. I haven't called her to meet up yet but I am excited I made a friend..kind-of!
Met your neighbor in your Pj's...locked out! Oh my! Probably wasn't funny at the time, but
CedarCreek 11:12 AM 06-26-2014
Oh yes, it was quite embarrassing! I noticed she was up (it was 6 am) and walked to her house and knocked on her door so I could use her phone to call my dh. She felt bad for me because I had started to tear up a little and came back to the house with me and we tried to get one of my boys to wake up to let me in! Neither one of them did and it took dh over an hour to get home. It really sucked.
But it is funny now, and I had a nice talk with the neighbor!
But it is funny now, and I had a nice talk with the neighbor!