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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Interviewed DCF & I'm Not Sure
DaisyMamma 02:53 PM 06-14-2014
I interviewed a DCF. It was mom, grandma (who made the appt) and aunt. Aunt said hi and never spoke again, then left before interview was over without saying goodbye.
Red flags.Mom said to me that she is protective. Mom said she interviewed someone who said they take dcks out without telling parents (which I do - if we are bored we get in the car and go to the park, museums, whatever and I told her so but that if she's more comfortable I can send her a text when we do). She also said other provider said she takes kids to Dr appts, grocery store, etc. She clearly isn't ok with it. It is something I've done in the past myself but now I find it to be a total hassle. I told her so.
At the end of interview grandma says where is aunt? Mom says you told her to go out
so I walk them out and aunt waves from the car.
She asked for paperwork to be emailed. I didn't bother.
Grandma called again today asking for paperwork Do I send paperwork? Do I say no?
Do I call dcm and go over, once again, that I do take kids out and want to be sure she is ok with it, etc. And then send paperwork?
Also they need subsidy, which is fine, but they havent even applied. Is it legal for me to say they have to pay in full until its approved? I would think so.
Dad skipped out on them.
Red flags.Mom said to me that she is protective. Mom said she interviewed someone who said they take dcks out without telling parents (which I do - if we are bored we get in the car and go to the park, museums, whatever and I told her so but that if she's more comfortable I can send her a text when we do). She also said other provider said she takes kids to Dr appts, grocery store, etc. She clearly isn't ok with it. It is something I've done in the past myself but now I find it to be a total hassle. I told her so.
At the end of interview grandma says where is aunt? Mom says you told her to go out
so I walk them out and aunt waves from the car. She asked for paperwork to be emailed. I didn't bother.
Grandma called again today asking for paperwork Do I send paperwork? Do I say no?
Do I call dcm and go over, once again, that I do take kids out and want to be sure she is ok with it, etc. And then send paperwork?
Also they need subsidy, which is fine, but they havent even applied. Is it legal for me to say they have to pay in full until its approved? I would think so.
Dad skipped out on them.
NightOwl 03:01 PM 06-14-2014
Oh no, no, no. They pay your regular weekly rates. Period. When/if they are approved for subsidy, then they pay the difference between your rate and whatever subsidy they receive.
And if you're feeling off about it, do a trial period of at least two weeks. Then make a decision if they are a good fit for you.
And if you're feeling off about it, do a trial period of at least two weeks. Then make a decision if they are a good fit for you.
daycarediva 03:23 PM 06-14-2014
Originally Posted by Wednesday:
Oh no, no, no. They pay your regular weekly rates. Period. When/if they are approved for subsidy, then they pay the difference between your rate and whatever subsidy they receive.
And if you're feeling off about it, do a trial period of at least two weeks. Then make a decision if they are a good fit for you.
I agree. My one subsidized client pays up front and I reimburse her the difference of my fees-subsidy paid. I started this after a hassle with getting reimbursed, long story. Oh no, no, no. They pay your regular weekly rates. Period. When/if they are approved for subsidy, then they pay the difference between your rate and whatever subsidy they receive.
And if you're feeling off about it, do a trial period of at least two weeks. Then make a decision if they are a good fit for you.
I would send an email with clarification on points- do take kids out, payment before services- will refund when subsidy pays, any another others. Then when she responds, I would decide to send paperwork-or not. .
cheerfuldom 03:59 PM 06-14-2014
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I agree. My one subsidized client pays up front and I reimburse her the difference of my fees-subsidy paid. I started this after a hassle with getting reimbursed, long story.
I would send an email with clarification on points- do take kids out, payment before services- will refund when subsidy pays, any another others. Then when she responds, I would decide to send paperwork-or not. .
I would also emphasize that your contract and daycare discussions will be with mom only. The aunt and grandma may handle transportation with mom's approval but any concerns or questions about daycare need to be between you and her. I don't have a good feeling about the dynamic between three relatives coming to an appt. but none of those included Dad. What is the situation with him? Are they married? Does he have custody?I agree. My one subsidized client pays up front and I reimburse her the difference of my fees-subsidy paid. I started this after a hassle with getting reimbursed, long story.
I would send an email with clarification on points- do take kids out, payment before services- will refund when subsidy pays, any another others. Then when she responds, I would decide to send paperwork-or not. .
kendallina 04:35 PM 06-14-2014
It sounds like you really would rather not take this family on. I would say that if you don't need the income now, I wouldn't take them. You can say in an email that it doesn't sound like it's a good fit for them based on their concerns.
I have had a family where mom and grandma were really both equally involved and it worked out just fine. Whoever picked up/dropped off is who I communicated with about what was going on and we never had a problem. But, they were always good at communicating with each other and they didn't really ever disagree on how to handle things.
Personally, I wouldn't take them unless I really needed the income. If you're not used to texting parents all of your whereabouts, it could become a pain. Also, if you do end up needing/wanting to bring them to the grocery store, etc, you're going to feel like you can't do that because of this one family.
I have had a family where mom and grandma were really both equally involved and it worked out just fine. Whoever picked up/dropped off is who I communicated with about what was going on and we never had a problem. But, they were always good at communicating with each other and they didn't really ever disagree on how to handle things.
Personally, I wouldn't take them unless I really needed the income. If you're not used to texting parents all of your whereabouts, it could become a pain. Also, if you do end up needing/wanting to bring them to the grocery store, etc, you're going to feel like you can't do that because of this one family.
DaisyMamma 04:52 PM 06-14-2014
Originally Posted by kendallina:
It sounds like you really would rather not take this family on. I would say that if you don't need the income now, I wouldn't take them. You can say in an email that it doesn't sound like it's a good fit for them based on their concerns.
I have had a family where mom and grandma were really both equally involved and it worked out just fine. Whoever picked up/dropped off is who I communicated with about what was going on and we never had a problem. But, they were always good at communicating with each other and they didn't really ever disagree on how to handle things.
Personally, I wouldn't take them unless I really needed the income. If you're not used to texting parents all of your whereabouts, it could become a pain. Also, if you do end up needing/wanting to bring them to the grocery store, etc, you're going to feel like you can't do that because of this one family.
Right. What IF I decided one day to be brave It sounds like you really would rather not take this family on. I would say that if you don't need the income now, I wouldn't take them. You can say in an email that it doesn't sound like it's a good fit for them based on their concerns.
I have had a family where mom and grandma were really both equally involved and it worked out just fine. Whoever picked up/dropped off is who I communicated with about what was going on and we never had a problem. But, they were always good at communicating with each other and they didn't really ever disagree on how to handle things.
Personally, I wouldn't take them unless I really needed the income. If you're not used to texting parents all of your whereabouts, it could become a pain. Also, if you do end up needing/wanting to bring them to the grocery store, etc, you're going to feel like you can't do that because of this one family.
and take 6 kids to the store? I guess I felt like she was telling me what I can and can't do. And yes it is a pain that I would have to text her if I go somewhere. All my other DCPs trust me and I come and go as I please. With that said I come and go to do preschool drop off for dcks and to bring dcks to the park, etc. Not my personal errands.I don't need the income today. But I do need it at the end of the summer....
Dcd doesn't exist. It sounds like grandma is primary caretaker but has to move to FL to take care of grandpa. I have no idea why aunt was there.
And as I'm typing this I'm getting a facebook message that a DCF might be moving away...
EntropyControlSpecialist 06:36 PM 06-14-2014
I would clarify points again. Say that you thought about it and do not wish to send a text stating where you are every minute because you aren't used to that, if you need to. 
midaycare 08:14 PM 06-14-2014
Originally Posted by Wednesday:
Oh no, no, no. They pay your regular weekly rates. Period. When/if they are approved for subsidy, then they pay the difference between your rate and whatever subsidy they receive.
And if you're feeling off about it, do a trial period of at least two weeks. Then make a decision if they are a good fit for you.
Oh no, no, no. They pay your regular weekly rates. Period. When/if they are approved for subsidy, then they pay the difference between your rate and whatever subsidy they receive.
And if you're feeling off about it, do a trial period of at least two weeks. Then make a decision if they are a good fit for you.
SunshineMama 09:50 AM 06-17-2014
Run. They sound high maintenance. If you take them, you will feel pressured to live up to their demands.
DaisyMamma 10:05 AM 06-17-2014
Originally Posted by SunshineMama:
Run. They sound high maintenance. If you take them, you will feel pressured to live up to their demands.
I know. I agree.Run. They sound high maintenance. If you take them, you will feel pressured to live up to their demands.
I never sent the email and the result was that they called me over the weekend and when I didn't respond they called me 6 times on Monday
Play Care 10:11 AM 06-17-2014
Originally Posted by DaisyMamma:
I know. I agree.
I never sent the email and the result was that they called me over the weekend and when I didn't respond they called me 6 times on Monday
It honestly sounds as if you would be asking permission to take the kids every time. And what if she says no? This family is probably not a good fit. Next...I know. I agree.
I never sent the email and the result was that they called me over the weekend and when I didn't respond they called me 6 times on Monday
DaisyMamma 10:26 AM 06-17-2014
Originally Posted by Play Care:
It honestly sounds as if you would be asking permission to take the kids every time. And what if she says no? This family is probably not a good fit. Next...
LOLIt honestly sounds as if you would be asking permission to take the kids every time. And what if she says no? This family is probably not a good fit. Next...
Then she would be given ten minutes to come get him and get immediate termination.
Sounds like a lot of unnecessary stress
GKJNIGMN 11:32 AM 06-17-2014
Regardless of how long it takes me to respond back, anybody that calls my phone multiple times in the same day in the age of caller ID I do not even consider taking them on. I can see the number, I can hear the voice mail, they are adults and need to learn patience.
They end up being the same parents that call weekends, extremely early mornings, or late nights just because something popped in their head and they wanted me to discuss it with them on my time off at their convenience.
They end up being the same parents that call weekends, extremely early mornings, or late nights just because something popped in their head and they wanted me to discuss it with them on my time off at their convenience.
KiddieCahoots 01:23 PM 06-17-2014
Originally Posted by GKJNIGMN:
Regardless of how long it takes me to respond back, anybody that calls my phone multiple times in the same day in the age of caller ID I do not even consider taking them on. I can see the number, I can hear the voice mail, they are adults and need to learn patience.
They end up being the same parents that call weekends, extremely early mornings, or late nights just because something popped in their head and they wanted me to discuss it with them on my time off at their convenience.
Regardless of how long it takes me to respond back, anybody that calls my phone multiple times in the same day in the age of caller ID I do not even consider taking them on. I can see the number, I can hear the voice mail, they are adults and need to learn patience.
They end up being the same parents that call weekends, extremely early mornings, or late nights just because something popped in their head and they wanted me to discuss it with them on my time off at their convenience.
...Lol! Isn't this so true!?DaisyMamma, sounds like you've already made up your mind, with a strong gut feeling you have about this one. Go with it! Your sensing something you probably shouldn't ignore.
DaisyMamma 03:45 PM 06-17-2014
Yea. I'm all set with this one. Good luck to them.