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EntropyControlSpecialist 10:28 AM 08-06-2012
Does anybody else allow therapists (speech, physical, occupational, behavioral, etc.) to come in and work with a child during the day?

We have one therapist that I am really not fond of.
She recently started with one of our children. She missed her first visit and called 40 minutes later to say she was running late. I told her she could not come due to our plans. She resecheduled for later that day. She was 10 minutes late the second time.
She arrived 26 minutes late today and my husband told her that he was sorry, but we were cleaning up and getting ready for Circle Time so she would have to reschedule. She tried to give him a big attitude.
WWYD? I told Mom that I am not fond of this therapist and if she is late once, she'll be late the entire time she is here. I refuse to arrange our schedule around her. She has several slots she fits into, but she insists on being late and missing her slots.
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Annalee 10:35 AM 08-06-2012
I feel your pain! Last year, I had a child whom the therapist tested at my facility. She suggested he have occupational therapy three times a week. From the start, the therapist was late for visits. I never knew when to expect her. I expressed to the mother how I wanted to help, but timing was a big part of family child care and my routines. She was hurt and a little angry. However, I suggested the therapist come from 7:30 to 8:00 AM which naturally didn't work for the therapist, but I did offer and since she didn't comply, they did the OT elsewhere!
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mema 11:05 AM 08-06-2012
Can't the parents schedule it for at home? During their time?
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Annalee 11:09 AM 08-06-2012
The therapists I had visits homes, child care facilities, and schools. The problem I had was the mom wanted it done during the day where she did not have to deal with it when she got home. I felt this was unfair to me or the children in my care which is why I give the ultimatum with timing.
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Truly Scrumptious 11:17 AM 08-06-2012
I had a speech therapist to come in and evaluate a dcg. I didn't like her because she was very rude to the other children in care. They didn't understand that they couldn't be a part of the "speech" game she was doing with dcg. (I thought...you work with kids)? I told dcg's mom that the therapist couldn't come back.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:40 AM 08-06-2012
Originally Posted by Truly Scrumptious:
I had a speech therapist to come in and evaluate a dcg. I didn't like her because she was very rude to the other children in care. They didn't understand that they couldn't be a part of the "speech" game she was doing with dcg. (I thought...you work with kids)? I told dcg's mom that the therapist couldn't come back.
So would it be fair for me to tell the child's Mom that since she was disrespectful to my husband (in his place of work and his home) that she is not allowed to come back? I am all about therapy. I have worked with many therapists. I've never felt stressed because of one before.
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cheerfuldom 11:53 AM 08-06-2012
I have allowed a therapist to come into my home but they have to work within my rules or they have to work with the child outside of daycare hours.

I give them the times available. They must communicate when they plan to come and must arrive and leave on time. They cannot disrupt the other activity going on or get involved with the care of other children. They have to remain where I can see them, I do not leave kids alone with therapists.
I communicate directly with the therapist so there is not confusion when communicating thru mom.
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Blackcat31 12:52 PM 08-06-2012
LOL! When I read the thread title, I thought you meant therapists as DCF's and I thought...oh-oh, someone in my shoes.....I currently have 4 families (5 kids) who have parents as therapists....

Don't have a clue how that happened but it is a trip....Only one of them is late on a regular basis though. The rest are very punctual.

I have let therapists for the kids come before but only during a time where it doesn't disrupt our day. I have had a child miss out on something because their therapist was there but if the child complains or is upset, I let mom know and let her deal with it by either talking with the child or rescheduling the time the therapist needs to come to daycare.

FWIW~ If a therapist was rude to me or my family or any of my DCK's I wouldn't allow them to come again so I think you are right to tell the parents in this case and let them deal with it.
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Truly Scrumptious 12:58 PM 08-06-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
So would it be fair for me to tell the child's Mom that since she was disrespectful to my husband (in his place of work and his home) that she is not allowed to come back? I am all about therapy. I have worked with many therapists. I've never felt stressed because of one before.
I don't think you should have to put up with anything like that in your own home. I understand being helpful in situations like that, but the therapist should be more professional and respectful. If she can't, then yes, I would tell the mom that you didn't want her back.
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Crazy8 02:06 PM 08-06-2012
I run a pretty casual program and have let therapists come in the past - as long as its not nap time I'm pretty flexible so wouldn't turn them away because its circle time or anything like that. I am not their middle man though - they need to communicate directly with the parents about the child. I strongly suggest parents hold the sessions when they are with the child so they can see/understand what the therapist is recommending they do and they usually agree so I don't often have them come here.
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itlw8 02:16 PM 08-06-2012
I guess I was lucky the one I had was wonderful.We found a time that worked for both of us. She was on time. I was able to keep the children entertained in another part of the room but could hear enough and she would also share at the end. This information helped me work with the child and even with other children.

Visiting the children in the evening is usually not a possibility. They are usually through the school system and work the hours set by the school. The other option is the parent taking off work each week to take them to therapy or the child does not get the help.

While the child I had did go to the Early childhood Intervention Program and had therapists there the extra time 1x a week here made a big difference.
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grandmom 02:20 PM 08-06-2012
I've had several over the years. The one I have come now is wonderful.

But I did have one call a complaint in on my about a broken outside toy. Rather than just mention it to me, she reported me. Licensor was out a few days later with the complaint. She never came back.

Just know that it's one more potential person who is in your space and can report you.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 03:32 PM 08-06-2012
Apparently, she called up Mom with an attitude saying she was only 20 minutes late (wrong) and that we would not let her in.

I told Mom that her rudeness was unacceptable and she was welcome to finish with him tomorrow but after that she is no longer welcome here.
I gave Mom the names of several ST.
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