Observing Before They Go With Me

[Crystal]

Yes, hundreds. But, do realize that I have been here since 2009, so I have seen alot of them.

[Crystal]

FTR, my post regarding observatioons was not about early pick ups, etc. It was about the intial observation, prior to enrolling in care.

[Crystal]

I think having a family observe for one hour initially with their child during the interview process is completely different than coming in all the time to "observe". I do see your point for sure but there might be a happy medium as well.

Exactly.

And, again FTR, I don't have parents come in all the time to observe either. They may hang out for a few minutes at pick up and observe interactions, etc. but that is simply because their child is still playing, not because they feel the need to check up on me.

[Meeko]

Yes, hundreds. But, do realize that I have been here since 2009, so I have seen alot of them.

I can maybe buy a handful that may be questionable. But HUNDREDS in just two years??? That would make nearly all of us unworthy in your eyes.

[Crystal]

None of the posts that I have read constitute neglect or strong disinterest in caring for other people's children. I wouldn't judge anyone who posts something when they have had a rough day or had a parent who has tried to take advantage of them. I see it as letting it out. I do not personally know them and neither do you, so I would say that is pretty harsh judgement on your part.

Just because you haven't read them does not mean they do not exist. They are there, for sure. I am talking about posts over a couple of years time, not recently.

You're right, I don't know them, but I have read their "opinions" of children and families and some of them CLEARLY should never have become providers in the first place.

Anyways, this is all totally off topic and I am tired of trying to defend my statements, so unless there is some vitriol spewed at me again, I'll leave at that.

[morgan24]

It's defintiley a fair comment to make. There have been hundreds of posts on this forum that I felt constituted intervention from licensing......nothing recent, but it has happened. Parents have even come here and said the same.

You can feel that they are just differences, but then you likely do not know which posts I am referring to, and I am not going back to dig them up as it would take far to much time.

I don't know how that could be a fair comment. You don't personally know the people who have written these posts. I haven't read any of them and I really don't need to. There is no way I would ever feel that someone would need an intervention from licensing for what they have written. Written words can be taken in many ways. I would have to see it first hand and know the person before I would feel they needed an intervention from licensing.

[Crystal]

I don't know how that could be a fair comment. You don't personally know the people who have written these posts. I haven't read any of them and I really don't need to. There is no way I would ever feel that someone would need an intervention from licensing for what they have written. Written words can be taken in many ways. I would have to see it first hand and know the person before I would feel they needed an intervention from licensing.

Okay. Have a nice day

[abigailrw5]

The OBSERVATION is done!!!! I was so nervous! Before he came I told him my concerns (that you all mentioned). I'm here alone and the kids might act out. I asked him if he could keep it to 20 minutes or less. He said no problem. He was here for only 10 minutes and everyone was good! Thanks for all the replies! He said he'd call me tonight. I'll keep you informed on what he decides!

[Crystal]

I have been watching the different opinions here as comments have been made back and forth. All have valid points. I agree with many of them but not all of them.

But Crystal, I have never seen (quote) "plenty of posts on this forum that constitute neglect and a strong disinterest in caring for other people's children". They are on here. Not recently, but they are.

Just how high and mighty can you get? Not being high and mighty. Being honest. Two years ago, ALOT of posts were what I describe

I have seen differences of opinion, different ways of approaching a situation, different styles of discipline, different styles of care. That's what makes this forum interesting. We can take or leave the various opinions. I agree.

But I have never seen what you are saying. Or do you mean they don't do things your way and are therefore not fit to be providers? Your comment is an insult to each and every provider on here. Oh, no. Not at all. There are a few provider here whom I very much admire and respect. And, for the most part I "like" them all, with a few exceptions. Had you read what I stated thoroughly you would have noticed I said that these posts were not recent, so it would not apply to anyone here, now.

I am weary of constantly hearing how perfect you run your day care and how perfect your children are and how perfect your dcp's are and how you never put a foot wrong. Oh, I make mistakes, and I have parents who upset me from time to time....I just don't vent or rant and rave about it on an open forum. I come here for 1. entertainment 2. a break from reality 3. to help when I can and 4. to get an idea of the "face" of child care in our country today. However, if you are weary of reading my posts, then just skip them, or register and then you can put me on ignore

Sorry honey...but your poop stinks just like everyone else's does.Ah, of course it does. Probably worse though, I eat alot of cabbage!

Sorry, I just saw this.

It has nothing to do with me or the way I do things. It has nothing to do with me being "high and mighty". It has nothing to do with me never doing anything wrong. It has to do with posts I have personally read, where children have been called names, where providers have admitted to allowing children to cry for hours at a time, where providers have admittedly "thrown" a child onto their nap mat or MADE them lay there for HOURS, where providers have admitted that they don't like certain kids, where providers have done nothing but bitch and moan in every single post they made about the children AND the parents. I have seen parents come here to ask a question and be berated and attacked by members. I have seen providers admit to trying to place blame on another child in care when an infant in care was SERIUOSLY injured, I have seen providers admit to withholding food...or technically withholding snack while trying to "make" the child eat an old, disgusting meal from earlier in the day as punishment for not eating lunch, I have seen providers admit that they make young children sit in their own feces or urine when they have potty accidents OR make the child clean up the feces themselves....ALL of it on THIS forum...... Frankly, it is disgusting. If you did some digging I assure you, you could find what I speak about....if that's not enough to prove my point, then, well, so be it.

[Crystal]

The OBSERVATION is done!!!! I was so nervous! Before he came I told him my concerns (that you all mentioned). I'm here alone and the kids might act out. I asked him if he could keep it to 20 minutes or less. He said no problem. He was here for only 10 minutes and everyone was good! Thanks for all the replies! He said he'd call me tonight. I'll keep you informed on what he decides!

YAY!!!! Congratulations. Not so bad, huh?

Good luck, I hope they decide to sign with you

[cheerfuldom]

I guess I am confused....what is a parent supposed to magically see in 10 minutes? sounds like a waste of time to me (sorry if that is too harsh)

Generally, I don't allow any strangers around the kids, period and don't allow observing. I understand that parents may not be comfortable with that but that is what I am comfortable with so they can take it or leave it. Actually, its pretty rare than anyone asks to observe.

I just think it is silly to say "oh I observed for 10 minutes and that is enough for me to make my choice".

[Crystal]

I agree that 10 minutes doesn't allow much time to get a real "snapshot" of the day. That's why my observations tend to be 30-90 minutes. I just go about my day as usual and act as though they are not there.

Cheerfuldom, can you tell me, do you ever have potential clients request observation, and if so, how do they respond when you tell them no? I just can't see a parent accepting that and moving forward with enrollment.

It is almost always requested by families in our area (based on conversations with local providers) and I think alot of providers would not have full programs if they refused an initial observation, so I am wondering what it is like in other areas.

[DCMom]

Wow, that was a lot of reading! Quite a varied set of viewpoints.

Anyway, my take on it is this: This is a first-time parent making a really big decision. If 'observing' the person that they think they want to go with makes them feel better about it, what's the big deal? JMHO.

I have three points of contact with a prospective family. First is on the phone, the second is a parents/provider only sit down, the third is parents/child during daycare hours. I make sure my assistant is here during that time. After the third visit a decision is usually made and contracts are signed or we part ways.

I have never had a parent ask to observe over and above the third part of the interview, so I'm not sure how I would handle it to be honest. I would have to decide on a case by case basis.

abigailrw5~glad the 'observation' is over and it went well! I hope they sign with you

[abigailrw5]

I'm glad it was 10 minutes even if thats is silly for him to be happy with. That obviously did the trick. If someone watched me for 90 minutes I would die.

[Country Kids]

I think the reason I never have been asked about having an observation is because all my parents have been refered by another parent here. I guess they go with their feeling that if the person that is referring them is happy why wouldn't they be.

Also, my parents seriously have no time to do a observation. When three of my 6 preschoolers needed care it was on the next day basis. One had one quit on them, one needed to find a person immediately due to some issues on providers part, another one provider didn't know if she wanted to continue childcare or not. So there was no time to observe. Also, all these parents were referred to me by a friend or client.