What To Do About Disrespectful Parents

[Unregistered]

I run a small in-home daycare that consists of only five families. Every morning I have at least two moms who either walk through the wet grass in my front yard OR they allow their children to do so. They then walk straight into my house, without wiping their feet or wiping their child's feet / removing shoes. Every morning they track water, dirt and wet grass onto my floors and then on to my carpet. It's such a chore to sweep and wipe up the water / dirt after these moms every morning when I should be attending to the children instead. How is a polite way to handle this? Put a keep off gras sign in the yard? Send home a note to everyone? Not sure what do do but I have to do something!!!

[daycare123]

i put a sign on my door and so far my parents have respected it!!! maybe you could do the same. Please remove your shoes or something to that order

[mac60]

I would start by addressing the issue with everyone through a short letter put in their bags. Say something like "I respectfully request that families use the sidewalks and driveway when walking up to my home. Please keep out of the wet grass. Also, upon entering my home, please stay on the area rug with shoes on and please remove your child's shoes upon entering my home. I will no longer allow shoes on the carpets and floors". Something like this. People are clueless. I would also put something on the front door that says "Thank you for keeping shoes on the area rug provided", or something similar.

[godiva83]

I would just be straight forward with them, chances are they won't read the letter, it will hang around in the bottom of the bag and you will become more frustrated with the lack of respect!

I would say, " hi ____, I just wanted to let you know that when you and the other parents track wet grass and dirt thru my house every morning it is quite the task to tidy up - I simply don't have the time to take away from the kiddos to deal with this, I ask that you either please stay off the grass or only come to the front entrance and no further.
Thanks for your help and consideration.


Or just pass them a mop and bucket and look down

[My3cents]

I like what MAc60 posted.

I have a rug and then a gate and a sign that says Kids playing, No outside shoes in the play area...thank you. Someone here gave me that idea and it helps. I also have a little shoe tray right near the cubbies and mat.

If that doesn't work you might just have to be verbally upfront and say look....I don't have the time to keep cleaning this mess you make every morning. Can we work on that?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Under my Preschool sign, I have a framed 8x10 sign that reads "We like to play on the floor! Please put your shoes by the door!"