Visitors During Daycare Hours

[jenboo]

DO any of you let people come over to your house during daycare hours? Have any parents complained?

Yesterday my cousin, her 1.5 yr old son, grandma and aunt all came over while the daycare kids and I were outback. They just hung out enjoying the nice weather while I continued to do my regular job and watched the DCKs outside. All the parents saw my family while picking up. I also introduced them explaining they were visiting from out of town.

In December, my cousin is coming to visit and is staying with me. She is in the child development field as well and will be helping me in the daycare the friday she is here.

I would never leave a house guest alone with the children or have them watched the DCKs for me. I will always do just as good of a job while visitors are here.

No parents have complained and there is nothing about it in my handbook. Im just curious what every one does and has experienced.

[NeedaVaca]

I have never invited anyone over during daycare hours but there has been a time or two that someone shows up unexpectedly to maybe drop something off etc, without being rude I will chit chat for a few minutes and then tell them I have to get back to work. My mom or dad have come over several times to drop something off or maybe pick up my kids to take them somewhere.
They know I am busy and never stay long, my DCP's have seen them a time or two and don't care

[Blackcat31]

Sometimes a past client or a family member who lives out of town will occasionally stop by and visit.

My dad stops by whenever he is in town. My DCK's all call him Grandpa.

None of my families have ever complained or had an issue with it.

No one over stays or gets upset if I let them know that it's not a good time etc...

It doesn't happen often and I've never left any of the kids alone with anyone other than approved substitutes/back-ups.

[Heidi]

Yes!

Like you, I never leave anyone alone with the children (ok, I do go potty). I welcome guests or visitors (and in our state, it's a-ok).

1. It adds to the "family" feel of family daycare. Whether it's one of my own gf's, a relative, or the plumber, that's how families work.

2. My dc families are told this up front. It's part of the vibe I have here, and if someone had a problem with it, they'd have to choose another daycare.

3. It helps enormously with the isolation that I would otherwise feel.

4. It's good for the kids. They get to interact with other adults.

5. Even the plumber, in this case, is well known to us since we live in a rural area. My dh grew up here, and there's very few people he hasn't known for most of his life. Not that this is any guarantee, but nothing is.

[sharlan]

My sister used to stay with me for about a week, two or three times a year. I have a gf who used to bring her granddaughter over for a playdate with my granddaughter. None of my parents have ever complained. I never leave the kids with anyone besides those on my license.

[Familycare71]

I have had friends - in the past- come with their child during dc hours. They were never alone with the dck and I always had them sign in as visitors.
I have also had out of town family here visiting- again they sign in and are not alone with the kids.
I think as a parent the only reasoning would ever be upset was if I felt the kids weren't getting the attention they would be if the adults weren't there. For me- everyone who visits knows I'm working and it is where my focus is.
Also my mom (who is also my sub) comes over a few days per week to help SA with homework (retired teacher)or just visit for a bit. The kids call her grandma and no parent has ever complained.

[caregiver]

Sometimes a past client or a family member who lives out of town will occasionally stop by and visit.

My dad stops by whenever he is in town. My DCK's all call him Grandpa.

None of my families have ever complained or had an issue with it.

No one over stays or gets upset if I let them know that it's not a good time etc...

It doesn't happen often and I've never left any of the kids alone with anyone other than approved substitutes/back-ups.

Same here, very rarely does anyone stop by as they know I do daycare, but if someone unexpectedly shows up, they will sit in the daycare room with me to chat and so I am with the kids. None of my parents have gotten upset either. When my Mom used to stop by once in a blue moon when she was able, now in a senior living apt and doesn't drive anymore, the kids all called her Grandma and they loved when she would come. Otherwise no one stops by during daycare hours and I like it that way.

[Brooksie]

The only person that ever stops by on occasion is my mom. She's one of my subs though and I like that the kids can see her sometimes before just popping up to watch them if I have something come up. She generally only stays 15 min or so to bring us new books and read tothe kids, or pick up dd. Shes the Early Childcare Coordinator for a neighboring county and ran a daycare for 15 years so she knows how to interact with the kids. Ive had friends want to stop by with their kids but I don't allow it. Every one seems to understand.

[littlemissmuffet]

My mom pops in randomly all the time. My dcks call her grandma - the parents all think it's cute.

My sister and her kids come by on occasion.

My best friend and her daughter often stop by.

No parents have ever complained, and if they did I would let them know if their concern is strong enough they can find new childcare...

[Shell]

My mom pops in randomly all the time. My dcks call her grandma - the parents all think it's cute.

My sister and her kids come by on occasion.

My best friend and her daughter often stop by.

No parents have ever complained, and if they did I would let them know if their concern is strong enough they can find new childcare...

Same here.

[Scout]

My son's best friend and mom come by in the summer. She usually brings us pizza too! Her and I have become good friends so, I really enjoy it!

[Play Care]

It really depends on the situation but typically, no, I don't have visitors while I'm working. When I had my oldest DD we sent her to an in home dc in our town. Every day when I would pick up this woman's friend was at her house, hanging out. There were some other issues as well which probably exacerbated my annoyance with the visitor, but still.

When I decided to start my own DC I wanted to make it clear from the get go that this was WORK even though I was home. How often have providers complained about the fact that everyone seems to think they can do it all because they are home anyway? I am busy during the day so I don't want people popping in to visit, or to be someone's "I'm bored" at work call. This has worked well for me.

Now, have I had out of town visitors show up early on a Friday afternoon while kids were still here? Sure. Or my mom has popped in on an afternoon after work to see my kids for a little bit. If a dcp was annoyed by any of that, I'd probably tell them to hit the road. But I can completely respect why a DCP that would be annoyed by daily visitors.

[jenboo]

Thanks for all the responses!

I do not plan on having friends "hang out" with me regularly. I do want to keep my daycare professional.
I wont stress out about the occasional out of town guests who arrives on a week day

I love hearing everyone's different opinions!

[daycare]

I do allow for them to stop by, our garage is converted into a playroom.

I dont allow for them to be around the kids. I feel that if I allow my family to hang out, then I have to let theirs. I follow my own policies..............

I know this sounds bad, but I don't even trust some of my own family members...I didn't get to choose them.....

I do have most of my family back ground checked and cleared. Actually trying to get my parents through now, but it's been hectic, since they are not citizens and only here for the next 9 months......

[crazydaycarelady]

Yes, I have had my grandparents, my parents, and friends who have come over during dc hours. We once even had a male friend from out of town stay when he had surgery in our town. The kids are never alone with visitors. No one has ever complained. It is a HOME dc so I think clients have to take that into consideration. This is where trust comes in. They have to trust the provider in all situations.