Informing Parents

[Lyss]

Hot Topic Tuesday! :: Do you let parents know about every change you make in references to DCKs and everyday things? Do you ok it, tell them before/after, or just do it? Does it depend on the family or issue?

Like for example I just swapped DCG (16mos) from a pnp to a nap mat (seamless transition too! happyface Yay DCG!) and have yet to talk with DCPs about it (yesterday DCD picked up, which is unusual and he's in and out in under a minute ). I did it because I have a new infant starting next month and there isn't room for another pnp with all the mats and current pnp in the nap area so I wanted to get DCG used to it before the new infant starts. I had planned to transition her next week but DCD just informed me yesterday he is on vacation next week and DCG will only be here 2 days (if that) so last minute yesterday I just decided to do it. I knew she could handle it and I'm super proud of DCG with how perfectly the last 2 days on the mat have gone!

Its in my handbook that I transition at 12-24mo depending on child and it was part of my talk with DCM in Dec when we resigned contracts, letting her know what to expect with changes and development for the next year. DCM understood but was hesitant that DCG would ever be ready and said at home they wouldn't be transitioning "until probably 3ish" because they were nervous about changing things. I know they won't be mad or pull her over this (just nervous and possibly annoyed), they really don't want DCG to grow up (they've said this EXACT phrase to me many times) and have a hard time with change themselves. Table foods was such a headache because they were so hesitant, DCG did great! :: I'm not going to NOT tell them, but I'm thinking about just bringing it up at the end of the week rather than dealing with it every night this week.

[sharlan]

I generally don't tell the parents unless it is an issue..

[EAP]

I wouldn't hide the changes but its your program and those are expected changes. I have let the parents know when changes occurred but more in passing "billy is doing great eating at the table with the other kids......billy loves his new cot". You don't need their approval to make the changes but I understand not wanting to upset them.

[MyAngels]

I generally don't tell the parents unless it is an issue..

Me either.

I wonder if some of them still think their kids are in PNPs...::

[cheerfuldom]

One thing that I learned real quick in daycare is to tell the parents only when necessary or if they ask. Its like the more info. you share, the more they either get upset, get critical, or start questioning things. If it is a matter of safety or they ask a specific question, then yes, I always tell them something. other than that, I just go along with what works for me. I dont tell parents when kids transition to cots or mats, unless for some reason it might affect what is happening at home. I also keep in a pnp if need be even if they are in a bed at home. whatever works for me is what i do and I don't go into every detail. You already addressed this issue in your contract and verbally and the transition is so far very smooth so I personally wouldnt even mention it to the parents.

[NeedaVaca]

I just did a pnp transition to mat for one of my dcg's. I needed one of them to make the switch due to space, I picked the child least likely to cause problems I did not tell mom prior to the change. DCG did fantastic from the 1st day so a few days later I mentioned to mom how proud I was of DCG & that she had made the switch with zero problems.

[Lavender]

We don't make any changes without the parents' consent. We don't transition from the crib to a cot until the parent fills out a form. None of my kids are older than 17 months, however.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

One thing that I learned real quick in daycare is to tell the parents only when necessary or if they ask. Its like the more info. you share, the more they either get upset, get critical, or start questioning things. If it is a matter of safety or they ask a specific question, then yes, I always tell them something. other than that, I just go along with what works for me. I dont tell parents when kids transition to cots or mats, unless for some reason it might affect what is happening at home. I also keep in a pnp if need be even if they are in a bed at home. whatever works for me is what i do and I don't go into every detail. You already addressed this issue in your contract and verbally and the transition is so far very smooth so I personally wouldnt even mention it to the parents.

This is how I run my business.

[AmyKidsCo]

One thing that I learned real quick in daycare is to tell the parents only when necessary or if they ask. Its like the more info. you share, the more they either get upset, get critical, or start questioning things....

No kidding! And the most unexpected things set them off sometimes too.

I wouldn't hide the changes but its your program and those are expected changes. I have let the parents know when changes occurred but more in passing "billy is doing great eating at the table with the other kids......billy loves his new cot". You don't need their approval to make the changes but I understand not wanting to upset them.

Ditto - small changes like that I mention in passing, and always in a positive light.

[Play Care]

One thing that I learned real quick in daycare is to tell the parents only when necessary or if they ask. Its like the more info. you share, the more they either get upset, get critical, or start questioning things. If it is a matter of safety or they ask a specific question, then yes, I always tell them something. other than that, I just go along with what works for me. I dont tell parents when kids transition to cots or mats, unless for some reason it might affect what is happening at home. I also keep in a pnp if need be even if they are in a bed at home. whatever works for me is what i do and I don't go into every detail. You already addressed this issue in your contract and verbally and the transition is so far very smooth so I personally wouldnt even mention it to the parents.

I would never be sneaky about it, but I have everything laid out in my contract. So if they really are concerned they could actually read it::

[Crazy8]

I tell a parent before I make a change from pnp to mat. But I do TELL them, not ASK them. I will just let them know next week we'll be giving the mat a try and I will let them know how it goes. I don't leave room for negotiating. If they show some hesitation I just reiterate that I will let them know how it goes. Of course they are always surprised when there are no problems.

[Lyss]

I tell a parent before I make a change from pnp to mat. But I do TELL them, not ASK them. I will just let them know next week we'll be giving the mat a try and I will let them know how it goes. I don't leave room for negotiating. If they show some hesitation I just reiterate that I will let them know how it goes. Of course they are always surprised when there are no problems.

After the table foods headache with this family (they didn't want her eating anything until 12mo and then wanted everything "squished" or "pureed", even things like peas ) I just started telling them after the fact or referring them to the contract/handbook. The were floored that DCG could chew food! "What?! She ate spaghetti? Like regular spaghetti?! Was she ok?!" She had 8 teeth and was getting 1st molars by 13mo, plus this kid LOVES to eat ::

I think it just depends on the family. I try to be upfront and open about things, and I'm not being sneaky about it (like blatantly lying and telling them she is in a pnp when she's not), but certain families could care less and others are stressballs ::

[allsmiles]

cheerfuldom.. i love ur advice

and Lyss..i have that parent too.. nothing but baby food and formula until she turns one.. smh

[jenn]

I tell a parent before I make a change from pnp to mat. But I do TELL them, not ASK them. I will just let them know next week we'll be giving the mat a try and I will let them know how it goes. I don't leave room for negotiating. If they show some hesitation I just reiterate that I will let them know how it goes. Of course they are always surprised when there are no problems.

This is exactly what I do. I inform them of the change that will be happening, but don't ask permission or approval to do it.