WWYD? Car Seat Situation

[Lilbutterflie]

I have a small home daycare, there are 3 kids in my care besides my own 2 children. Since I started, I have discussed with the parents during the interview, and included in the contract; that each parent shall supply a carseat for their child to be left here. I really hate to be stuck at my house all the time, and there are times when I take the kids to a park that we can't walk to; on a field trip, or perhaps even to play at the playcenter inside the local mall. Another reason I require one is for emergencies, if my daughter gets sick & I have to pick her up, at least I always know that I have all of their carseats here should we need to quickly get up and go for an emergency. All of my parents have been fine with this and brought carseats for their children their first day here.

Until now.

I started a new dcg almost 2 months ago, and the mom asked during the interview why I required the carseat. I explained it, as above; and also reassured her that if we ever were to go anywhere, I would let her know in advance. For field trips, she would know way far in advance and could choose not to bring her child that day if she didn't approve of the field trip.

There was no further discussion. However, she never did bring the carseat. I have reminded her several times; and she has been silent about the reminder each time. I let her know a month ago that we would be taking a field trip to a local pumpkin patch/farm this Friday; and that she needed to have her carseat by then. Still nothing from mom. I reminded her upon pickup last Friday that she needed her carseat by this Friday to go on the trip. Still no carseat. It seems like she is just adamantly refusing to bring one. Though she hasn't discussed it, either. I have a sneaky feeling that on Friday morning, she'll take the one out of her car and leave it here, then need it back again. That is NOT what I want to happen, I really need a carseat to be left here. DCG is full time, and we are stuck here without one for her. It's just not the way I run my daycare. I like to be spontaneous and out and about when we want to. That was thoroughly discussed with her.

WWYD? Would y'all let it go? Or perhaps give her a hard deadline stating she cannot attend daycare after such date if no carseat?

[Blackcat31]

Yep, deadline. If you do not have a car seat that remains at care by Thursday morning, then NO care will be provided on Friday.

Don't just write a note but verbally tell her as well.

If she shows up Friday and tries to give you the one from her car, simply say "I'm sorry Sally but I can't accept this seat as we have discussed this several times and I can't allow you to disregard the policies I have in place and that you agreed to."

Stand your ground because if you don't I guarantee that this won't be the last time this mom tries to sneak one by you.

[cheerfuldom]

Either give her a deadline and then refuse ANY childcare till she abides by your rules (dont get stuck without a car seat in an emergency....this isnt just about the field trip)

OR

tell her if she does not comply by the deadline, you will purchase for her and charge her for it and again, no childcare services at all until that bill is paid.

Make her choose one of your options or find other care. That way the problem is solved no matter what she does.

[dave4him]

You need to explain the emergency complications of not having a car seat for every child. Verbally talk to her about it and explain the issue there. I have five car seats in the back of my van at all times, and one booster for my 6 year old. So i know the feeling.

[rhymia1]

This is why I provide all the car seats (not to mention the ones from 1984 some of my clients have tried to press on me )
I would confront the issue head on "DC mom, I know we've discussed having a car seat at dc, is there a reason you have not brought one in?" At that point I would go with Blackcat's advice and make it clear that she signed off on this when she chose your dc. Don't let it go, because that's not fair to you or your other clients. Good Luck!

[jojosmommy]

Wait, so you want a seperate seat just for daycare? Not the one they ride to and from daycare in? I must be confused.

[Nickel]

I too require car seats, OR I provide one. I do this because I pick my daughter up from school every day and I don't want to uninstal and reinstall each day. I only do that for the infant seat but she is only here 3 days per week and I can usually have a friend pick her up on 2 of those days and I pick up the other 3,kwim? I make it perfectly clear that I do not run errands with the children unless I have to and that I will let them know when I do, but I DO transport the children. i even have a transport form that is REQUIRED before they start care.

Now, I know I hate confrontation. So here are some suggestions on what I would probably do in your situation. Not all of them are that great, but they might make a point.

Print up a transportation permission form. Let her know it must be signed and returned with a car seat by Friday or you will no longer be able to provide care for dck.

Call her one day this week and let her know you have to go pick up her your dd from school and that she needs to come pick up her child.

Tell her tomorrow morning that you have to go to x event and you need her seat.

You could also just talk to her:

I really need you to leave a car seat here in case I need to pick up my dd from school. If you cannot provide a seat due to financial reasons, I understand, but then I will need you to leave YOUR car seat each day.

If that still doesn't work. You can tell her that a friend gave you a car seat and you installed it and if she would like to check your installation, she is free to do so.

You can also tell her if she doesnt provide a seat by x day you will provide it and charge her on her next bill....

BUT, if you are REALLY brave, and I am so not. You could just say something along the lines of. Hey, dcm. I noticied you seem relunctant to leave a car seat here. do you have some questions or concerns we can clear up?

[Lilbutterflie]

Wait, so you want a seperate seat just for daycare? Not the one they ride to and from daycare in? I must be confused.

Well, she is a very large 15 month old. She's not in an infant seat anymore where you can just remove it from the base and easily transport it. I don't believe carseats should be uninstalled and installed daily- it's too dangerous. That's why I require one to be left here.

[Scout]

Maybe they can not afford one at the moment? I know the shock of childcare costs after first having a child can be overwhelming to some. Would hou be willing to buy one & leave it there even if she is no longer a client? The way I see it that would be a win- win for everyone & you would always have one!
When i first went back with my 2 child, my provider informed us she needed a swing. Well buying that swing put us behind on the bills. Not a good situation. She may be like me & not want to tell you money is tight!

[countrymom]

Wait, so you want a seperate seat just for daycare? Not the one they ride to and from daycare in? I must be confused.

your correct. one is to always stay at daycare and the parents must have one for themselves.

this is why I supply all carseats. Its so much easier. ok, look at it from a parents point of view. Carseats are not cheap, so if they have 2 cars they would need to buy 2 carseats for themselves and then one for your house so 3 in total. To me, it seems like alot of money, esp if your going to be using it every once in a while. i would just supply it and write it off.

[jojosmommy]

Ok. I get it.

Here is my opinion.

You want the seat then you provide it for everyone. Include its cost in enrollment or weekly fees. Just like paper goods or crafts. This way YOU own it, YOU know where it is, YOU know its not past expiration or been in a crash etc. Thats what all the providers around here do.

I would not be pleased with having to buy a 3rd seat for my kiddo just to be left at daycare. One for myself and my hubs vehicle is expensive enough.

[DBug]

Obviously this won't help for this situation, but have you thought of including the cost of a new seat in your registration fees? That way you can purchase one for each new child yourself. You'll know it's up-to-date, it hasn't been in an accident, and it will always be there if you need it. When each child moves on, they can either take the carseat with them, or you can save it for the next new child (assuming it hasn't expired).

As a forgetful parent myself, I like to make sure that I'm not depending on the parent for anything except what's absolutely necessary -- namely, diapers and my paycheck . I provide everything else.

With something like this, it quickly becomes an issue of whether or not you're able to pick up your daughter from school if she's sick. And I don't know about you, but envisioning my child sick at school waiting for me when I can't come? That breaks my heart . I would hate to have that possibility be completely dependent on a daycare parent's adherence to my policies, kwim?

I think I would refuse care until getting a carseat. You've already told dcm that it's a requirement. She's breaking your contract by not providing one.

But after that, I'd consider raising registration fees to cover carseats too .

[countrymom]

also at least you know where you seat has been too. I had a mom bring me one and omg it was left in the barn after it rained the day before and then the cats got to it. Like ya, I want that in my van eww gross!

[jojosmommy]

I should correct my last statement to say I would NOT BUY another seat if a provider requested one. I would choose another provider. IMO, its your business expense.

[Lilbutterflie]

I too require car seats, OR I provide one. I do this because I pick my daughter up from school every day and I don't want to uninstal and reinstall each day. I only do that for the infant seat but she is only here 3 days per week and I can usually have a friend pick her up on 2 of those days and I pick up the other 3,kwim? I make it perfectly clear that I do not run errands with the children unless I have to and that I will let them know when I do, but I DO transport the children. i even have a transport form that is REQUIRED before they start care.

Now, I know I hate confrontation. So here are some suggestions on what I would probably do in your situation. Not all of them are that great, but they might make a point.

Print up a transportation permission form. Let her know it must be signed and returned with a car seat by Friday or you will no longer be able to provide care for dck.

Call her one day this week and let her know you have to go pick up her your dd from school and that she needs to come pick up her child.

Tell her tomorrow morning that you have to go to x event and you need her seat.

You could also just talk to her:

I really need you to leave a car seat here in case I need to pick up my dd from school. If you cannot provide a seat due to financial reasons, I understand, but then I will need you to leave YOUR car seat each day.

If that still doesn't work. You can tell her that a friend gave you a car seat and you installed it and if she would like to check your installation, she is free to do so.

You can also tell her if she doesnt provide a seat by x day you will provide it and charge her on her next bill....

BUT, if you are REALLY brave, and I am so not. You could just say something along the lines of. Hey, dcm. I noticied you seem relunctant to leave a car seat here. do you have some questions or concerns we can clear up?

Oh yes, I also have a transportation form that I require them to sign. She signed it upon enrollment, but wrote down that she must know in advance if we were to go anywhere. I have no problems with that. I understand that a parent would want to know where their child is at all times. I, too, discuss with all of my parents that I never take them on errands unless something comes up and it's absolutely necessary; in which case I inform them in advance.

I never thought about purchasing my own and charging her for it after giving her a hard deadline. I might just do that. But then, could she refuse to pay because I purchased one that was too expensive? If I'm going to purchase one myself, it's going to be a Radian, and I doubt she wants a $200+ bill! LOL