Terrible Interview And Attention Seeking DD

[daycare]

Regardless of how the mother treats her child when the child is with you, the only thing that really matters is if she is going to be willing to follow YOUR policies. If she knows you take daily walks and agrees to it, then there should be no issue there. If she refers to her DD as her baby but the child acts her age at your house...then no issues there either....know what I mean?

Why not take this opportunity to lay it out there to the mom. This is how I do things and when you sign my contract, that is the way it will be....so be very clear about your rules/policies to her and give it a shot. The worst thing that could happen is she won't compy which would earn her termination papers so.....

Plus, you do have a two week trial period dont you? I say give it a shot....based on the fact that your own DD was a totally different person during the interview should tell you the potential dcg's behavior may not be normal either.

Oh, and fwiw~ the dcm saying she "went off" on her previous provider about taking a walk may just be that the provider hadn't been clear that they leave the property for walks regularly so she could have been surprised that she wasn't initially told that. Which is why I say be VERY clear about you policies and any questions she has BEFORE you sign her on so she knows what to expect. Like I said, if it doesn't pan out after the 2 weeks trial period...let her go.

Ya never know what could be if you don't try.

..just read your other post ....so I would explain to her that she needs to sign a blanket permission slip since you won't be notifying her and asking her permission every day. NOT feasible when you have other kids to care for. If she wants specific permission to be granted with each incident, she needs to hire a nanny.

I agree with cat here..
You can't always judge how a child will be during the interview. Children always act differently around their parents, we all know this.

I have had people complain to me about how their old provider was doing, does not mean that they were a bad provider, just means that they did not offer the services that the parent was looking for. Taking kids for a walk is not a bad thing at all and does not make them a bad provider. But the parents did not agree with the providers policy on the lack of notification when they took them. I would say I have to agree. As a mother, I would want to know where my child is at all times.

I have a rule that all parents will know at least 24 hours in advance if we will leave the daycare by vehicle. The may get a same day notice at drop off if we decide to take a walk on foot.
I think that the mom agrees with your policies and this is why she is asking you to do a background check. I would go for it and like BC said I would offer the 2 week trial. If y ou feel it is necessary, extend your trial period to 3 weeks..... I do this for kids that are part time or if I feel iffy about anything.

Just be straight forward about your rules and policies...

[spud912]

I try not to judge a child's behavior during the interview unless they are aggressive. As far as the mom goes, I agree, lay out your policies and feel her out. Just listen to your gut during the trial period and if there are too many flags, terminate without any guilt.

[momofsix]

I have not read everyone's response, but here is what I do.

when I have an interview and my son who is 4 will be present, I use him as my model. I will have a few activities that we show the parents, some that I know my son can do very well at. Then together we show them. My son eats it up and he just loves the attention they give him.

I run the families through our day and I let my son assist the whole time. Some of the times he will just get bored helping and go in his room. Sometimes he will walk the families through the entire interview.

All of the families are IMPRESSED... I don't see why my son can't help me with the interview, he is fully able to do so. throughout my day, he is my little helper, so I think he feels he needs to be included and I agree.

It's like the can't beat them join them thing... If you can't beat the bad behavior, get them involved with what you are doing.

what a great idea!

[christinaskids]

Actually the worst interview i ever had, they are currently one of my daycare families. Both the parents and children are wonderful. Mom was super understanding even though ive never been more embarassed. Anyone with children knows they act up at the most inoppirtune times. If its meant to be, then it will happen.