Need Advise Please

[slpender]

I have a family that just does not get it. I know some of these issues are my own fault because I keep letting it go on. The child is 13 mnths old and is walking, They bring him every day with no shoes. I have told them over and over that he needs to have shoes for outside play. I live in south Florida the pavement outside is hot enough to fry an egg on some days. When the child is out of supplies the constanly forget to bring them . The child has had no wipes since last Friday (I have been using my own child's wipes) I tell them everyday he needs wipes. They do not drop him off at a consistant time (contracted hours are 8:15-5:00) yesterday they dropped him off at 11:00 nap time is 12:30-2:30 he screamed the whole time and dirupted all the other children. I cannot put him in another room because he is terrified of dog and cat and I have both and my daycare room is the only place I can keep the out of because all the children are napping in the same room and I can close the door to keep animals out. (We are nit allowed by DCF to have children napping in a room alone with a closed door).

I am thinking of sending a letter home to all my families stating that effective Monday I am now requiring all children to be here by 9:00 am.
That all chilren must have shoes everyday or care will not be provided
That all children must have basic supplies everyday (diapers, wipes, complete changes of clothing) or care will not be provided.

Is this too harsh

[Blackcat31]

Aw, hun you have to be harsh now because nice didn't work.

If child comes with no shoes, don't take him. Have parents go get shoes and bring child back when they have shoes for him. If necessary send them a reminder text BEFORE they drop off that he won't be accepted into care without shoes. Safety comes first.

As for the wipes, attach a charge for the wipes they didn't supply. I require ALL families to bring one box of tissue and one refill package of wipes on the first of each month. If they haven't brought them in by the last day of first week, I add a $6 charge to their invoice. Some parents pay it and don't ever bring stuff and others remember the next month with no reminders.

As for the drop off, tell then you will not accept their child after xx time and then stick to it. If they come and knock say "I'm sorry it is nap time. I expected you at xx time and last time I took Billy in at nap time he was too disruptive. You can come back after nap if you wish. Thanks" You can even text or call them with that info if they don't show up when scheduled. A quick call saying "Hey Billy was horrible at nap time drop off last time so could you be here before nap or after nap from now on. I have to do what is best for ALL the kids in care and they all need a quiet rest time."

It IS hard to go back and fix things once they get out of hand but once you make the problem effect the parent, they do change their behaviors.

[cheerfuldom]

I agree with Black Cat. you already tried nice and it didnt work. time to bring out the big guns! There is nothing wrong or mean about insisting that a parent care for their child's basic needs (shoes and wipes are pretty basic) and that they stick to their agreement for drop offs.

Do you have all this in a contract?

[DaisyMamma]

yes, you need to be harsh.
He needs shoes and he needs supplies, period!
Clearly they let him sleep all morning that day so he wouldn't nap for you. That can't happen either. Next time they don't show by 9:01 after you send home that letter you should go on a "field trip" so when they show up and no one is there--- ooops sorry - thought you weren't coming!::