Thinking About Pulling The Plug.....

[daycare]

I meant turn them away. period.

No returning that day.

Guaranteed, it will only happen once.

if I did that these people would pull their kids I am sure.......

[Country Kids]

I also let my parents know that I'm the training ground for school. If they can't get it down for me how will they do it for school. It seriously makes them do some thinking.

Your child won't get up in the morning and your late for school-believe me the school won't care. Your child is either there daily or there will be consequences.

Your child forgot lunch or has no money-pb sandwich and maybe an apple. Either you pack the lunch or put money on the account.

Your child has no school supplies-the school will do the best they can but will probably be left overs from last year.

The school won't hold the parents hands so why should we? The child in the end will suffer but with people like us and teachers who shell tons of money out of their own pockets we make it happen. We care and want to see these children succeed. Not saying the parents don't but I have 6 people that I have to make sure are up and ready each and every morning. I have to make sure everyone grabs their lunches, has money for things, supplies for projects, homework done, etc. Then I have 12 other children I care for every day-breakfast to make, lunch to make, snacks, supplies for preschool projects, clean blankets, clothes in cubbies, the list goes on! If I can do this for 18 people can the parents do it for 3 or 4?

[Blackcat31]

if I did that these people would pull their kids I am sure.......

...then get some new ones.

I really am not understanding why parents would take the time to research and find a program like yours, agree to the policies and things you are asking of them and then not comply?!?!

Plus, if that is how it is, I would pull the plug then.

Offer what YOU want and not what the parents want.

You must live in a Brumuda Triangle type area....as your parents confuse me to no end

Never in a million years would I put my neck out there to offer such high quality program and enroll parents who don't hold up their end of the deal.

That means their child is YOUR priority and not theirs :confused:

Girl...you have me stumped more than anyone on this board

[daycare]

...then get some new ones.

I really am not understanding why parents would take the time to research and find a program like yours, agree to the policies and things you are asking of them and then not comply?!?!

Plus, if that is how it is, I would pull the plug then.

Offer what YOU want and not what the parents want.

You must live in a Brumuda Triangle type area....as your parents confuse me to no end

Never in a million years would I put my neck out there to offer such high quality program and enroll parents who don't hold up their end of the deal.

That means their child is YOUR priority and not theirs :confused:

Girl...you have me stumped more than anyone on this board

i guess unless you lived in the type of area that I live in, it would be hard to understand the type of people that live in my area.

not saying that they are all like this, but most of them have a ton of money with very high demands, which makes it hard to run a sucessful business and be able to meet the WANTS of everyone. I wish I could say go home for the day, but then I would be sending home more than half of my class.

Our schools here would not send kids home for the day if they forgot something, but they do have a front office that could handle the munch drop off so that the classroom does not get interrupted. I dont have that luxury...

[My3cents]

well here is the thing... ALL parents have a full understanding of my program prior to enrollment.

I have created a program called community in the classroom, where I have teamed up with members of our community to lead us in lessons. Since we have a lot of trails and lakes near us, a lot of what we do revolves around nature.

All of the parents know what is required of them to have their child participate. The thing is, is that they know 1 month ahead of time what we will be doing.

I have one mom that gets the calendar on Friday and on Monday brings EVERYTHING her child will need and leaves it in his cubby. Everything but lunch that is.

All of these parents are wonderful people. All pay on time, drop and pick up on time and for the most part, I could not ask for nicer people.

Just trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel of the issues I have been having of the parents not doing their part for us to participate in our lessons.

I do have a ton of clothing on hand, often does not get returned and I have to buy more. I try to change before parents arrive, but I can't always forecast those early pick ups.

I think what I might do is what someone suggested here is to charge fees for the items they don't have. No lunch $5.00, no jacket $10.00 until returned.

I love my program, I love having the community help to guide our youth.

I don't want to change it, the families were doing well, but maybe they do need a break.

Also, as part of my program, I prepare not only the kids for school, but the parents. Most of my kids are 3.5 to age 5

See when I read this, I thought you had a love for what your doing. Make it happen on your end of things.

If you don't have time to change a child, ask the parent to do it at the end of the day. Just tell them Marge, Johnny is wearing my clothes because he didn't come in with what was needed today, could you just change him back into his clothes and leave mine on the table so I have it for next time.

The lunch problem is simple, get on the food program and pack the lunches yourself. Charge a bit more for serving lunch- Simple solve.

If you enjoy doing this with your kids and the kids love it, I would continue and just get stricter about your policies and what is needed. When a child comes in for the morning ask if they have this, that and those and if the parent says no, tell them then and there, well I hate to not have everyone be able to join in today on our trip you will have to get those things to me as soon as you can so we can proceed with our day or keep little love one home today.

It sounds like the parents picked you for a provider because of your program, now keeping to the parents end of things just has to be enforced.

I would send a letter out to all and ask each parent to read it and I would put that letter taped on my door so it in the face and at eye level. The letter would explain your frustrations and needs and make it blunt that for now on if you don't come prepared for the outing of the day you will be called and asked to pick your child up so this does not ruin the outing for everyone. I would offer up solutions as to how to help the parents be more on board, by suggesting all needed items except for lunch be brought in on Mondays. I would also not schedule an outing on Monday so that gives you Monday to remind everyone verbally that on Tuesday we will be going to the frog pond with so and so and we will need such and such.

The parents sound lazy in their ways not tired of your program.

Good luck and thanks for sharing-

[My3cents]

Hun, you KNOW I don't mean this rudely or in a mean way but if ALL your parents know your rules and policies and are still not abiding by them, then the only other person that could be at fault is YOU.

If you aren't enforcing your policies and rules, that isn't on the parents then, it's on you.

If they arrive unprepared IN ANY WAY (and you require them to be) turn them away at the door.

Do NOT accept them into care for the day unless they are abiding by the rules and policies they are all informed of and agreed to upon enrollment.

I agree with this also- The more I think about this. I don't think it is your program, I think it is laxed parents. They need to be accountable to your rules and policies- It is one thing to help someone out that you know truly needs it but when a need becomes a crutch it is then time to make changes and say whooooa this is not working for me.

Good luck- Let us all know what you decide and how it works out for you-

[My3cents]

the thing is that I have. I have turned people away to go get proper shoes or lunches or whatever is needed. THEN it throws a wrench into our day because now the parents are coming back during class time and I am having to stop what I am doing or my assistant has to go and open the door which is a major distraction to our morning lesson.

I have 4 or 5 parents coming to the door at different times.... So turning them away does get the items needed for the day, it's just now we have to deal with the distractions..... Which always end up bad..

I think I will still go the route of ifyou don't have it, I will add it to your bill...

no, tell them please bring in the item leave it and quietly go. I will not have time to gab with you and I don't want this to be a distraction to what we are doing at the time- After this happens twice or three times at the most tell the parents I am not going to ask you to bring the item in I am going to ask you take your little one home for the day. I can't keep having the distractions happen. That will get the parents attention-

[daycarediva]

I also let my parents know that I'm the training ground for school. If they can't get it down for me how will they do it for school. It seriously makes them do some thinking.

Your child won't get up in the morning and your late for preschool-believe me the school won't care. Your child is either there daily or there will be consequences.

Your child forgot lunch or has no money-pb sandwich and maybe an apple. Either you pack the lunch or put money on the account.

Your child has no school supplies-the school will do the best they can but will probably be left overs from last year.

The school won't hold the parents hands so why should we? The child in the end will suffer but with people like us and teachers who shell tons of money out of their own pockets we make it happen. We care and want to see these children succeed. Not saying the parents don't but I have 6 people that I have to make sure are up and ready each and every morning. I have to make sure everyone grabs their lunches, has money for things, supplies for projects, homework done, etc. Then I have 12 other children I care for every day-breakfast to make, lunch to make, snacks, supplies for preschool projects, clean blankets, clothes in cubbies, the list goes on! If I can do this for 18 people can the parents do it for 3 or 4?

*clapping*


I am always at a loss when parents say they didn't have time. Um, I have 4 children, in bachelors degree classes, take additional classes for state requirements, work 60+ hours a week, etc etc etc.....

Just this morning I got "We didn't have time for breakfast or to change so can you give him a little something now, here are his clothes.?" No. Breakfast is earlier than your drop off. Hand back clothes, you can change him. Get up earlier and plan for your day.

[My3cents]

...then get some new ones.

I really am not understanding why parents would take the time to research and find a program like yours, agree to the policies and things you are asking of them and then not comply?!?!

Plus, if that is how it is, I would pull the plug then.

Offer what YOU want and not what the parents want.

You must live in a Brumuda Triangle type area....as your parents confuse me to no end

Never in a million years would I put my neck out there to offer such high quality program and enroll parents who don't hold up their end of the deal.

That means their child is YOUR priority and not theirs :confused:

Girl...you have me stumped more than anyone on this board

Not ganging up on you- I have a mind of my own.
but...... I have to agree.

Finding a daycare that a parent likes can be work. If they are using the program that you described it sounds like it is a lot of work to get into your program. The hardest part of doing daycare (I struggle with this too) is having backbone to carry out the rules you have decided are going to work for you. If you don't carry them out, then what is the point of having them in the first place?

Nicely tell your parents how it is going to be from now on and move on. If they don't comply can them and find clients that care enough to follow through with what you ask. I have a soft spot for people, but I also have a line that can't crossed. Like I said it is one thing to help someone, it is another to be a crutch all the time- It is ok, to say enough is enough, we need to regroup and do things right again. Big sign on your door, for now on if you don't bring in what is needed for the day your child will be turned away and not able to participate in the program for that day!!! My Policies have become over relaxed these days and need to be enforced as of NOW- Thank you and I appreciate everyones cooperation in this matter.

[Blackcat31]

i guess unless you lived in the type of area that I live in, it would be hard to understand the type of people that live in my area.

not saying that they are all like this, but most of them have a ton of money with very high demands, which makes it hard to run a sucessful business and be able to meet the WANTS of everyone. I wish I could say go home for the day, but then I would be sending home more than half of my class.

Our schools here would not send kids home for the day if they forgot something, but they do have a front office that could handle the munch drop off so that the classroom does not get interrupted. I dont have that luxury...

I am not understanding how these parents are having these high demands but yet don't see how they have a responsibility in making sure those demands are met.

You aren't hired help. You aren't their personal nanny.

For them to "demand" specific things for a child care program and then not do their part is utterly rediculous.

I also don't think it has anything to do with money. I've worked with plenty of parents with money and they still do their part as parents.

Maybe that should be your minimal requirement when interviewing from now on......pass on any parent who doesn't see that they have a personal responsibility to make sure their child is given their attention as a priority.

Sorry you are dealing with this. Parents definitely have a way of making this job much harder than it needs to be.

[daycare]

thanks so much..... and thank you all for the advice....

thinking about everything eveyone has said, I do think that the parents have gotten laxed. We just got done with having a lot of time off from the holiays, then when everyone came back kids were all sick. some days I only had two kids in care. This would really be the first week where things were some what normal. No days off and no kids out sick.

I think that me speaking up and brining everyone back on board is what needs to happen.

[My3cents]

i guess unless you lived in the type of area that I live in, it would be hard to understand the type of people that live in my area.

not saying that they are all like this, but most of them have a ton of money with very high demands, which makes it hard to run a sucessful business and be able to meet the WANTS of everyone. I wish I could say go home for the day, but then I would be sending home more than half of my class.

Our schools here would not send kids home for the day if they forgot something, but they do have a front office that could handle the munch drop off so that the classroom does not get interrupted. I dont have that luxury...

Exactly so that is how you present this issue to your parents. OR- charge more and get some help to keep the ones that don't comply to your rules. It sounds like the parents can afford this. Your house, your program your rules, it is up to you to enforce if you want to continue with your program. Seems like you love your program so I would enforce my rules. All that you do and offer you must have a waiting list a mile high to get into, esp the area your living in. Run with it. Your in charge- make it work.

[daycare]

I also let my parents know that I'm the training ground for school. If they can't get it down for me how will they do it for school. It seriously makes them do some thinking.

Your child won't get up in the morning and your late for preschool-believe me the school won't care. Your child is either there daily or there will be consequences.

Your child forgot lunch or has no money-pb sandwich and maybe an apple. Either you pack the lunch or put money on the account.

Your child has no school supplies-the school will do the best they can but will probably be left overs from last year.

The school won't hold the parents hands so why should we? The child in the end will suffer but with people like us and teachers who shell tons of money out of their own pockets we make it happen. We care and want to see these children succeed. Not saying the parents don't but I have 6 people that I have to make sure are up and ready each and every morning. I have to make sure everyone grabs their lunches, has money for things, supplies for projects, homework done, etc. Then I have 12 other children I care for every day-breakfast to make, lunch to make, snacks, supplies for preschool projects, clean blankets, clothes in cubbies, the list goes on! If I can do this for 18 people can the parents do it for 3 or 4?

i soooo agree with you...

I am also a parent. I chose to become a parent at a very young age. Instant mom over night. I know what it is like having to live the daily grind. I was once also a single mother of two kids. I know how busy days get, chaos or things happen out of our control.

BUT I don't care who you are or where you are, if you don't have a plan of action and think that you can live life flying by the seat of your pants, well you are not going to have a very decent life.

We all know that if we have no plan for our day and just let the kids run the house, we would all quit our job in no time flat. We have rules, polices and plans in tact each and every day so that our days run smoothly.

Like country said, If I can do this for my own 3 children and 12 others, plus deal with all of the other daily drama life brings a family then there is NO reason why these families can't either. THEY ARE GIVEN a month.... I gave them the plan for the month, it's up to them how they are going to set their nights and mornings to determine if they are going to be sucessful or not with their day.

Of course many of you may say that I can't tell the parents what to do or that I am in a make believe world to think that the parents will do this. BUT guess what, once a child hits kinder, they have no CHOICE. again like I said before, I don't expect 100% from these families, heck I forget stuff all the time, we are all human and make mistakes, but what I am asking these families to do is simple.

and as nannyde has said in the past. you won't get their attention until you attach money to it.... Guess I need to give this a shot........

[daycare]

Exactly so that is how you present this issue to your parents. OR- charge more and get some help to keep the ones that don't comply to your rules. It sounds like the parents can afford this. Your house, your program your rules, it is up to you to enforce if you want to continue with your program. Seems like you love your program so I would enforce my rules. All that you do and offer you must have a waiting list a mile high to get into, esp the area your living in. Run with it. Your in charge- make it work.

i used to have a mile high wait list,but with so many stay at home moms in the area and a million day programs my list has been vanished over time and now its hard to get kids in the door.

The ones that have called all want a half day program, which does not really work out too well for me, because if we have an outting, then I can't promise we will be back on time.....

[My3cents]

*clapping*


I am always at a loss when parents say they didn't have time. Um, I have 4 children, in bachelors degree classes, take additional classes for state requirements, work 60+ hours a week, etc etc etc.....

Just this morning I got "We didn't have time for breakfast or to change so can you give him a little something now, here are his clothes.?" No. Breakfast is earlier than your drop off. Hand back clothes, you can change him. Get up earlier and plan for your day.

I am at a loss too, and then I rethink and come off my horse and say to myself- Everyone else is not me or what and how I do things. If I can help someone else out, great. Again it is one thing to help out it is another to be used. I have changed a child out of pj's and into clothes but it was for a Mom who truly needed the help and does not ask this of me all the time. She is a good Mom that does for her child. Big difference. If it became an everyday, every week thing. I would have a talkie talk to her, and just say hey this is not working for me. Even if I was not doing one thing when she came through that door in the morning. Right now I have great wonderful parents. It has not always been this way so I have seen both sides of the fence here. Everyone has feelings and stories so handling them with care is a big way of showing how you care but still getting your point across and not being taken advantage of. Providers all have limits of what we want to work in our daycares, finding the balance is key so that resentments are not built up between provider and client. Anywhoooooo jumping off of this conversation and hoping for the best for you OP