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I always give a handbook and contract out to parents to look over before they start their children in daycare. They sign a copy on their first day of care. I always ask that they read the handbook over before signing. Well, today dcm brings 3 of her 4 boys to dc. I ask where the 4th is and she says, "Oh, he has a fever so he isn't going to be here." Ok. Fine. Wish I would have gotten a text or something, but whatever. Then, she says, "X had a fever and was throwing up yesterday so I am sure he has when X had." I ask when his fever broke, she says, "Last night around 7." WTH?!?!? I say, "Well, X really should be at home as well because as it states in my handbook, the child must be fever free for at least 24 hours." She says, "Well, he is completely fine now. I have a test today, so I can't stay home." Then she turns and walks out. Walks out, leaving her child who had a fever and was throwing up just yesterday in my home with about 8 other children. So now, I have to keep him seperate from the other kids. I know I should have chased her out the door, but I was kind of in shock, and had a handfull of kids running around my feet. Days like today I am wondering WHY I do this job!!! UGH! Parents really can ruin it for you, can't they???
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Where is the other child who is sick? They should be watching the other as well. You should start calling people on emergency contact list. She has pulled this once & walked away she will do it again. -
She will definitely pull this again, and again, and again, and ... you get the picture. Send her a text stating, "You need to pick him up (or have someone else pick him up) within 30 minutes and I will be nice enough to overlook your breach of contract for breaching the illness policy that you signed. But it will not be overlooked again." Of course, I am becoming more B****y in the past couple of weeks. Backbone is growing very fast now. Oh, and keep repeating, "Not my fault, not my problem." She chose to "dump" him on you, you can "dump" right back. She will most likely get ticked, but hey, SHE is the one breaching the contract and policies. Her fault, her problem. NOT YOURS!! If she's not there in 30, call the emergency backups. And keep calling until you get someone.Comment
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Oh yes...some parents just don't get it!! These are the type that frustrate me to no end! They only care about themselves and their own needs, not the other little kids that could pick it up.
I would have that part of your contract ready for her when she comes to pick up and highlight in orange the 24 hour rule. Our state goes by the 24 hour fever/throw up free rule..I'm sure many other states do as well.
That mom is just rude...I agree, whoever is caring for the other sick boy should be caring for the one that was sick yesterday as well. Why are some parents clueless!!?? I don't think most of them read the contract, and if they do, they do a good job of ignoring the rules.Comment
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People will get away with whatever YOU allow them to. Don't allow it and you won't be stewing about it. It's a simple concept.
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Only you can enforce your rules/policies. If you do not, some families will use and abuse you. Unfortunately with such a large family, the kids who aren't showing symptoms probably will soon...and everyone else has already been exposed.
I HATE it when parents don't think of anyone but themselves.Comment
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I had a similar DCM of a 15 month old but the fortunate part for me was that she was up front and would text me before she came to see if it was ok.
After all winter and KNOWING my sick policies, I got a text from her week before last saying: DCG has a super high fever but she's completely normal and bouncing off the walls...can I give her some tylenol and bring her? UHH talk about clueless!!!Comment
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I would have been upset. I hope your day went well & that the child didn't infect anyone else. I also wonder where the other child was. Who was watching that child? I agree that the one who threw up the night before should have been wherever the fever child was.Comment
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I agree with the posters who said if she doesn' come for him - call the emergency backups.
Also, I agree that you should print another copy of the illness policy and have her sign it when she picks up. You might also consider revising your illness policy to say Depending on the illness, siblings may be required to stay home as well.
Does she pay whether they are there or not?Comment
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No, she is on state assistance, so if they aren't here I don't get paid. Which is fine with me if they aren't feeling well. I don't want my kids or myself sick, or to get the rest of my dck's sick. I had already done what you guys suggested. I printed off the sick policy and highlighted it and had her read it and sign it. I would never dream of taking my kids to daycare if they were sick, or had just been sick! Thanks for all the advice.Comment
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Your assistance program doesn't pay for the child's sick days? Here in MI, they pay for when the parents are at work/school, certain holidays, and child sick days (up to a certain number of hours per year). I'm so glad I don't have to make that choice between pay or sick children infecting everyone else. Plus, if DHS didn't pay for child sick days, the parents would have to pay according to my contract. Here, you pay for the spot, whether they are here or not (unless I call off).Comment
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