Really - What Are These People Thinking

[Angelsj]

I have many daycare parents that rarely ever come into my home or check on anything after that first interview. They dont ask questions, they trust way too much.

I have had short interviews, the shortest being 13 minutes, and then the parent drops the kid off and thats it.

Its very scary. They are lucky to have someone trustworthy like me but I could see how they and their kids would be taken advantage of.

In 6 years, I have never had a parent insist on a background check or driving record. They never ask to see anything even when I offer it. These are top notch parents too, one is a school principal!

Ditto. I have had kids dropped off here that had NEVER met me other than that day, and the parent stayed just long enough to fill out the paperwork.

Before I moved here and was fully licensed in this state, I had one mom meet me in the laundry mat across the street, and ask me to watch her two boys that evening so she and her hubby could go out to supper. I watched them off and on for 5 years after that.

We also did van pick ups for VBS and a church youth center for several years. Parents would send permission forms via the children (some as young as 3 years old) and we drove the kids 8 miles to another town, and home again 3 hours later...and we had NEVER met the parents! Some of those kids were with us for two or three years, and we could not have connected them with any adult. Sigh...

[cheerfuldom]

HOLY CRAP! My daycare parents all walk in AT LEAST 1x/week. My first client dh called 'nosey' (would come in, take shoes off and walk through the house to the back door when we were outside and show up at random times) I said to my dh, um, I HAVE HER KID, what would you do if she had yours?

I provide my clients with a copy of my (clean) driving record and background checks as well as references. I once had a client ask me for my credit score (LOL!) and I did give them a whited out copy (they really don't need to know my VS cc balance. ::

I have only had a handful of clients who seem less than cautious about the care their children receive, the rest have been VERY careful, multiple interviews, dropping in, calling my references. One recent client even called my registrar and asked her if she would leave her child with me (my registrar said yes, as I am her backup provider!)

I have never had anyone ask for a second interview. I do provide references and most of the parents do call those but again, they could be calling my mom for all they know, you know? I have very good references but still, parents should be more careful, always!

[Heidi]

If the parents were aware, they should bear some responsibility, BUT, how many times, just on this forum alone, have we heard that providers do not allow parents past the front door? Many, many providers on this forum don't allow it. If that were the case, then it is quite likely the parents had no idea of the deplorable conditions.

I was going to say the same thing...

[cheerfuldom]

If the parents were aware, they should bear some responsibility, BUT, how many times, just on this forum alone, have we heard that providers do not allow parents past the front door? Many, many providers on this forum don't allow it. If that were the case, then it is quite likely the parents had no idea of the deplorable conditions.

This is a good point! I do handle drop offs at the door almost all the time. but there are times where i make it a point to make the parents come in, come downstairs for pickup or even into the backyard so that they can have that confirmation that all is well here. Nobody ever seems to ask or need that but I create those opportunities so I know that they know all is well, if that makes sense. Parents should be coming in and be aware of how many kids are here and what is going on.

[Unregistered]

If the parents were aware, they should bear some responsibility, BUT, how many times, just on this forum alone, have we heard that providers do not allow parents past the front door? Many, many providers on this forum don't allow it. If that were the case, then it is quite likely the parents had no idea of the deplorable conditions.

As a parent it's their responsibility to ASK if they can come in. It doesn't have to be at drop off or pickup, but definitely it's their job to ask. If a provider told me NO when I asked? I'd find a new one. I get there are rules about coming into the house at drop off to prevent excessive crying or lingering at pickup too, but if I directly ask you there is no reason to say no to me unless shady stuff is going on.

[Cradle2crayons]

If the parents were aware, they should bear some responsibility, BUT, how many times, just on this forum alone, have we heard that providers do not allow parents past the front door? Many, many providers on this forum don't allow it. If that were the case, then it is quite likely the parents had no idea of the deplorable conditions.

I can kind of understand this point but I think I would have noticed there was no power??

[Heidi]

Ok...this is when I get pissed off!

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/08/15/la-crescenta-daycare-remains-shut-after-2-year-old-tests-positive-for-pot/

There are places like this in every state is in operation. WHY OH WHY does our state spend 10 MILLION dollars over 2 years on a quality initiative program, yet places like this STAY OPEN after NUMEROUS complaints and citations?

Umm...let me guess "lack of manpower" or "our hands our tied because of procedure".

Spend 5 million a year on that, people!:confused:

[Familycare71]

If the parents were aware, they should bear some responsibility, BUT, how many times, just on this forum alone, have we heard that providers do not allow parents past the front door? Many, many providers on this forum don't allow it. If that were the case, then it is quite likely the parents had no idea of the deplorable conditions.

I had the same thought!

[Crystal]

As a parent it's their responsibility to ASK if they can come in. It doesn't have to be at drop off or pickup, but definitely it's their job to ask. If a provider told me NO when I asked? I'd find a new one. I get there are rules about coming into the house at drop off to prevent excessive crying or lingering at pickup too, but if I directly ask you there is no reason to say no to me unless shady stuff is going on.

Oh, I agree, it is the parents responsibility, and I'd leave if I was told no when I asked too. I personally have a VERY open door policy and my families come in and visit daily. I just know there are MANY providers who don't allow them past the front door, EVER. Many provider, even here on this forum, have set up their entry way in such a way that parents cannot get past the front door. Personally I wouldn't leave my child in a program where I wasn't WELCOMED inside every day, but that's just me.

[sharlan]

Oh, I agree, it is the parents responsibility, and I'd leave if I was told no when I asked too. I personally have a VERY open door policy and my families come in and visit daily. I just know there are MANY providers who don't allow them past the front door, EVER. Many provider, even here on this forum, have set up their entry way in such a way that parents cannot get past the front door. Personally I wouldn't leave my child in a program where I wasn't WELCOMED inside every day, but that's just me.

Crystal, I totally agree with you. We have an automatic locking door with a keypad. I have given several of the parents the code, others no. I do open the door and allow all parents to come in and walk throughout my downstairs to track down their kids every single day. Upstairs is off limits, but the kids aren't allowed up there anyways.

I would not allow anyone to watch my kids who wouldn't allow me in their house. They could be the best providers in the world, but I want to see where my kids are.

[AmyLeigh]

Ok...this is when I get pissed off!

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/08/15/la-crescenta-daycare-remains-shut-after-2-year-old-tests-positive-for-pot/

There are places like this in every state is in operation. WHY OH WHY does our state spend 10 MILLION dollars over 2 years on a quality initiative program, yet places like this STAY OPEN after NUMEROUS complaints and citations?

Umm...let me guess "lack of manpower" or "our hands our tied because of procedure".

Spend 5 million a year on that, people!:confused:

Did anyone else notice in the article Heidi posted that the family liked her because she was "affordable?"

[Hunni Bee]

Ok...this is when I get pissed off!

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/08/15/la-crescenta-daycare-remains-shut-after-2-year-old-tests-positive-for-pot/

There are places like this in every state is in operation. WHY OH WHY does our state spend 10 MILLION dollars over 2 years on a quality initiative program, yet places like this STAY OPEN after NUMEROUS complaints and citations?

Umm...let me guess "lack of manpower" or "our hands our tied because of procedure".

Spend 5 million a year on that, people!:confused:

There is no effing way anyone came to that door and did not smell the stench of non-working toilets.

And if inspectors came and found her home that disgusting and out of compliance even once, was there nothing done?? That makes it even worse.