Hi Everyone
So I have been open a total of about 6 months now, serving ages 18 months to 4 years with Preschool. I have solid curriculum, I am legal, certified, etc. Minus the teaching degree (which I should finish up my Early Childhood Education Degree in 1 year).
Now I live in a small town (probably 1000 people total) and realize there is a missing gap in the market for childcare. I had a run-in with the secretary of the local elementary school today (they offer a Pre-K program). We were working a family yard sale together, and I was handing out business cards, no big deal. This mom came up whom I had talked to about enrolling her child in my program (had talked to her months ago!!) and her daughter is about to turn 4. Anyway, I handed her a card- explained I was official etc and offered her to come by and check out the house and curriculum.
When this mom left, I was lambasted by the secretary and accused me of "stealing her Pre-K kids". Explained that they were actually teaching Kindergarten skills and preparing them for Kindergarten, while I was only a "babysitting service". Said that if I wanted kids BEFORE they turned 4, that was fine to "prepare them for Pre-K" but that @ 4 she felt they needed to be in a "REAL" pre-school with "REAL" Teachers. This was really insulting, and she is a family member... I don't need the local parents getting mad at me, and I don't need my cousin being angry at me.
I also told her if a parent CHOOSES to send their child to me, that was not me stealing the kids- it was the parent choosing to send them elsewhere..........
Any thoughts on how to approach this situation??
So I have been open a total of about 6 months now, serving ages 18 months to 4 years with Preschool. I have solid curriculum, I am legal, certified, etc. Minus the teaching degree (which I should finish up my Early Childhood Education Degree in 1 year).
Now I live in a small town (probably 1000 people total) and realize there is a missing gap in the market for childcare. I had a run-in with the secretary of the local elementary school today (they offer a Pre-K program). We were working a family yard sale together, and I was handing out business cards, no big deal. This mom came up whom I had talked to about enrolling her child in my program (had talked to her months ago!!) and her daughter is about to turn 4. Anyway, I handed her a card- explained I was official etc and offered her to come by and check out the house and curriculum.
When this mom left, I was lambasted by the secretary and accused me of "stealing her Pre-K kids". Explained that they were actually teaching Kindergarten skills and preparing them for Kindergarten, while I was only a "babysitting service". Said that if I wanted kids BEFORE they turned 4, that was fine to "prepare them for Pre-K" but that @ 4 she felt they needed to be in a "REAL" pre-school with "REAL" Teachers. This was really insulting, and she is a family member... I don't need the local parents getting mad at me, and I don't need my cousin being angry at me.
I also told her if a parent CHOOSES to send their child to me, that was not me stealing the kids- it was the parent choosing to send them elsewhere..........
Any thoughts on how to approach this situation??
Comment