Being Super Upfront At Interview But Not Coming Off As A Super B

[daycare]

one of the things that I tell parents is that because I am the only one here, that I must wear many hats to make the business run successfully.

The only way that I can guarantee a great and successful childcare is to have all parents on board with all my my rules and policies. While I don't want to come off sounding like a crazy woman, I do have a PHB that I have written over the years that helps everyone to have a better understanding of why these rules are in place.

I hope tonight that I can go over my polices with you and you can have all of your questions or concerns addressed. Please ask any and all questions/concerns you have.

SOmething like this.... I always take the lead when I do an interview. I tell them how I run my program and let them ask me questions.

Example: DCP says----- you don't offer baby bottles what will we do, my child can only drink from a bottle. (btw my ages are 20months and up) I tell them don't worry, when your child is with me, they will be able to do things you never knew they could do. First off, if your child is never offered one here, they will never have the need for it. It was never an option in the first place to them, so they tend to do well without them from the start. Secondly, they will see that no one else has one and will be ok with that.

I am basically shutting the mom down in a nice way without telling her no.

[nanglgrl]

I don't think I would talk to a grandparent like that or a parent. What they do when they have the child is not my concern. I want that child to be with grandparents or parents as much as they can. If that puts me out a bit, oh well for me. I am talking about a once in a while thing not at an inconsiderate everyday occurrence. I find most kids, not all but most kids will adapt to my schedule because I don't cave into it, and it is just what we do. This is how I see this today, another day another a child, another etc... could have me thinking differently. No doubt it would have been nice and considerate for the parent or gram to give a call- but most of the time they don't.

While that may work for you it doesn't work for me. In the last 10 years I've realized that my clients can only do things to me if I let them. My parents appreciate the fact that I tell them how it is and for the most part they do call when running late or if they need to drop off early etc. If they didn't they would no longer be clients of mine. I'm in the middle of redoing my contracts and policies right now and as I handed them out when parents were picking up their children one parent said to me (and in front of other parents), "this is because of me, I've had a crazy 2 weeks" and I said "No, it's because of all of you. None of you do anything on your own that would be a problem but I'm dealing with 10 families and when one family arrives late for pick up one day and another parent shows up early the next day and so on I end up with a headache by the end of the week". Her response was, "that's what I love about you, you don't get emotional about it you just tell it like it is". She said "I hope next week will be better" and I responded with "me too, because next week there will be more consequences". Also I find that "once in a while things" end up being an inconsiderate every day occurrence if they are left unchecked.
As far as a parent or grandparent showing up late and not calling I find it disrespectful. I run a preschool program, when someone shows up late and I'm in the middle of reading a book I have to put the book down, answer the door, put the child's stuff in their cubby, wash their hands and get them ready for the day, by the time this is done no one cares about the book anymore. If they don't call I have to take time to call them and see when/if they are planning to come that day. I have no problem with children being with grandparents or parents but to not call and tell me their schedule changes is rude.
When I called grandma the child was already running 1/2 hour late, he regularly arrives at 8:30 and didn't get here until after 10:30. He had slept in and eaten late so he barely touched his lunch and when nap time came he did lay down but since he wasn't tired he kept some of the other kids up with his moving around and noise. I'm sure his parents won't appreciate that he will want to sleep during dinner tonight and be awake after his normal bedtime, I'm also fairly certain it won't happen again.

[E Daycare]

The interview went good last night from my standpoint and I felt strong and to the point. The parents seemed impressed and I have a feeling after they re-review the contract they may say they want to come here. I on the other hand, after some red flags, will deny them.

I haven't interviewed in a year so it was a good brush up. Also, THANKS to you guys. Always the constant help and voice of support and ideas.