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Every policy that has come up, parent has questioned it. They question it in a way that I'm not sure if they just don't know the policy (as they claim) or if they're questioning it hoping I won't enforce it. In the last 2 days I've had this parent try to get out of following 4 different policies. Now parent is uncomfortable about outings they signed permissions for. How do you handle a parent that questions everything?
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Give or send them a copy of your policies, answer any questions but ultimately remain firm and proceed as usual. -
as willow said stand firm and remain your grounds.
I had a parent do this and it was shortly after they had started. I made her come early for drop off one day and said..
sally its seems like you are confused about some of our policies and I just want to make sure that we are both on the same page and that we both have the same understanding...Comment
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I generally don't have this issue because I go over every single policy in my handbook extremely thoroughly during the interview - and I clarify any questions during this time. Of course, I get the odd parent who plays dumb and tries to get out of following policies by either pretending they didn't know the policy to begin with or that they were confused. I will whip out their signed contract and remind them they did indeed know - and I simply clarfiy again any questions a parent may have. If it becomes a constant game with a parent (and it's happened to me once) I terminate. I guide children in life, not adults.
Ain't nobody got time for that!
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I generally don't have this issue because I go over every single policy in my handbook extremely thoroughly during the interview - and I clarify any questions during this time. Of course, I get the odd parent who plays dumb and tries to get out of following policies by either pretending they didn't know the policy to begin with or that they were confused. I will whip out their signed contract and remind them they did indeed know - and I simply clarfiy again any questions a parent may have. If it becomes a constant game with a parent (and it's happened to me once) I terminate. I guide children in life, not adults.
Ain't nobody got time for that!
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Or they don't really bother to read it at all and just sign it figuring that everything will turn out ok not thinking that they should probably read the paper with tiny letters with all of the rules they must follow.
THIS IS WHY I sit down and go over every part of my contract and handbook with them BEFORE I let them sign the contract. I've heard many a "Oh yes, I read it at home" only to see blank stares of confusion or
when I go over it before signing the contract. "WHAT?!? I didn't read that!" :
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you want to know something terrible?
I have my handbook online, and I don't even know for sure if all my parents have read it.
My contract is brief, addressing payment and holidays, etc., with a space for the parent to initial that they have read to policy manual.
The really odd thing is I rarely have an issue with policies! I am fairly flexible, partly because I have a small group, though.
Dang, now that I've said this you know someone will test me!
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I generally hand them another copy of their contract, the first time they challenge it, assuming they lost theirs.
From that point on, at each and every attempt to get over, I ask them if they are turning in their notice. If they say No, then we continue to follow the contract.
DCP "I am really not ok with the late payment policy. I was only late once this month and...."
Me "Oh, I am sorry to hear that. So will this week be the beginning of your notice? I sure hate to see you go, but I fully understand."- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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I had one tell me once that she couldn't abide by so-and-so policy because blah blah blah and that she didn't agree with so-and-so policy because blah blah blah and that so-and-so policy didn't work for her blah blah blah. I'm usually very reasonable and will explain why I do things the way that I do them but then she said those magical words that parents say to try to have you by the short-and-curly's ... "You know with all of these policies I'm not sure that I can stay any longer. I have to look out for what's in the best interest of me and my family and I might just have to go somewhere else" she all but crossed her arms and stomped her foot.
My response was much like yours:
"I understand completely to what you are saying (DCM nodding her head)
and just like you have to look out and do what is in the best interest of you and your family I have to do what is in the best interest of me, my family and my business. (DCM :confused
I completely understand if you have to go somewhere else. As a reminder I require a written 2 week notice. And don't worry, no hard feelings. I understand" (DCM ).
PS She DID NOT put in her 2 weeks notice and was on her best behavior after that.Comment
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I generally hand them another copy of their contract, the first time they challenge it, assuming they lost theirs.
From that point on, at each and every attempt to get over, I ask them if they are turning in their notice. If they say No, then we continue to follow the contract.
DCP "I am really not ok with the late payment policy. I was only late once this month and...."
Me "Oh, I am sorry to hear that. So will this week be the beginning of your notice? I sure hate to see you go, but I fully understand."
Some things are simply non-negotiable.
Funny how we can manage toddler behavior on a daily basis and parents still seem to think they can slip one by us now and then....
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Honestly, nobody has ever taken the bait. :: Even when I really hoped they would... 
I am not "mean", per se, but I put a lot of time and energy into explaining everything to them during the interview process and first 30 days.
I really don't have that many hot buttons or rules. I am a admitted stickler on payment, pick-up times and illness policy. Those are the things that effect my kids the most, so it should make sense to another parent, IMHO.
* Not one of my clients has been here less than 3 years at this point.. waiting THAT long to find an issue worth fighting over is just a tad bit silly.
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
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I go through mine page by page, as well. I require a signature after every section that even COULD be argued. They'll sign an "I" statement: I understand____and agree to_____. I will not_____.Or they don't really bother to read it at all and just sign it figuring that everything will turn out ok not thinking that they should probably read the paper with tiny letters with all of the rules they must follow.
THIS IS WHY I sit down and go over every part of my contract and handbook with them BEFORE I let them sign the contract. I've heard many a "Oh yes, I read it at home" only to see blank stares of confusion or when I go over it before signing the contract. "WHAT?!? I didn't read that!" ::
It really helps. It doesn't prevent parents (especially at the start) from TRYING to bend the rules that they don't agree with (like the mom that doesn't want her kid outdoors, and refused to bring a jacket. She signed an agreement that said her kid would participate in outdoor activities (that were also outlined for her). I asked every day for a week for that jacket-they kept bringing her wrapped up in a blanket. I told mom that she is getting cold outside with no jacket, and I had one the next day. I DID put a coat on the kid, but letting mom think she didn't have one on is what got mom to bring it.Comment
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