Threatening To Pull For Formal Pre-k

[Play Care]

I have a 'real' prek around the corner from me. 5 yo Ds attended there 2 days/week to get him used to separating from me and the teacher being someone other than Mom. They taught colors and shapes in the 4's room with dittos. Im sure my clients would beg to come back if they started there. (It's almost double my rates as well and has numerous serious open violations like safety issues and ratio.)

That's too bad! I LOVE the preschool I transport to - I wouldn't offer the service otherwise. I used to knock myself out with my preschool program - but the reality is that parents are looking for that "school" setting - one that is NOT attached to a day care - this is to my benefit as I don't lose my kids to glorified day care centers...

[Moppetland]

It is disheartening to care for a child in your home since birth, then when they become preschool age, the parents all of a sudden don't think they'll learn anything from your home. A classic sign of "oh, she's just a babysitter".

Well, my DCKs all learned from my program. I don't even have a preschool program set up at all. They learned through play, and when they went to kindergarten, the teachers asked where they went to preschool. They knew everything from recognizing their alphabets, recognizing and counting the numbers 1 -20, recognizing their shapes and colors. They even recognized and spelled their first names. On top of that, they knew when to say "thank you", "please", "sorry" and "you're welcome". They knew how to pour their own milk and help themselves to a second helping of food. They knew how to stand in line patiently to wait their turn. I can go on, but you get the point.

The DCPs proudly tell them about my home child care, and people were calling me through them to get their child into my child care.

But it's a trend now to get children into these state and government ran preschools. Until parents realize that learning comes when their child is ready, they will always feel that they are doing something wrong if they don't put their child in an institutionalized school by 3-years-old.

[cheerfuldom]

It is disheartening to care for a child in your home since birth, then when they become preschool age, the parents all of a sudden don't think they'll learn anything from your home. A classic sign of "oh, she's just a babysitter".

Well, my DCKs all learned from my program. I don't even have a preschool program set up at all. They learned through play, and when they went to kindergarten, the teachers asked where they went to preschool. They knew everything from recognizing their alphabets, recognizing and counting the numbers 1 -20, recognizing their shapes and colors. They even recognized and spelled their first names. On top of that, they knew when to say "thank you", "please", "sorry" and "you're welcome". They knew how to pour their own milk and help themselves to a second helping of food. They knew how to stand in line patiently to wait their turn. I can go on, but you get the point.

The DCPs proudly tell them about my home child care, and people were calling me through them to get their child into my child care.

But it's a trend now to get children into these state and government ran preschools. Until parents realize that learning comes when their child is ready, they will always feel that they are doing something wrong if they don't put their child in an institutionalized school by 3-years-old.

there are more and more parents wanting preschool at 2 years old and a few that want preschool prep at one years old. its crazy.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

All I can say is ... stupid. Sorry, I know that isn't nice. Send me to time out. ::

[daycarediva]

All I can say is ... stupid. Sorry, I know that isn't nice. Send me to time out. ::

Mom said it again today. She is touring there on her lunch break. I just reminded her of my termination policy, asked if they would allow his therapist to come in or if she would have to handle that, and if it's considered special needs friendly.

The 'big issue' is that she really refuses to acknowledge that her son has a speech delay that qualifies him as special needs. He is behind in several other areas as well and the pediatrician even noted 'gross motor delays' on his physical but NOTHING is being done about that. I am just the lady who keeps bringing up reality-that she doesn't want to hear.

[julie]

Regardless of issue, I do not let anyone "threaten" to pull from my daycare. They make that statement or even infer it, then that is their first day of notice. Sorry. I don't play that and call their bluff immediately. I will not be held hostage by wondering when or if my clients will stay or go simply because I am not doing something they want or doing it differently.

"That's great DCM! I wish you well. Obviously I will miss DCB, but you as the parent know best as to what the next step should be! I will take this as your first day of paid notice as per our contract. Really excited for this next step for you and DCB. All the best! My waitlist will be delighted! " Smile, shut door.

[TwinKristi]

there are more and more parents wanting preschool at 2 years old and a few that want preschool prep at one years old. its crazy.

Yep! I'm losing a child at 22 months to go to "preschool"?!? It was bad enough losing the 3.5yr old I had here PT, but now an infant? For preschool? Basically my DCM is choosing to a) pay more b) provide food & c) lower the quality of his care and provider:child ratio to put him in what's essentially a daycare center at the preschool. He'll be there from 7:15 to 4:30!

OP- I hope she changes her mind but maybe it's best to just let her go!

[Blackcat31]

Regardless of issue, I do not let anyone "threaten" to pull from my daycare. They make that statement or even infer it, then that is their first day of notice. Sorry. I don't play that and call their bluff immediately. I will not be held hostage by wondering when or if my clients will stay or go simply because I am not doing something they want or doing it differently.

"That's great DCM! I wish you well. Obviously I will miss DCB, but you as the parent know best as to what the next step should be! I will take this as your first day of paid notice as per our contract. Really excited for this next step for you and DCB. All the best! My waitlist will be delighted! " Smile, shut door.

This is exactly how I feel too. I don't really care if parents want to enroll their infant in knitting classes... whatever... it's their child.

I just require my policies for enrollment AND withdrawing to be followed.

I also want to say that I also have a degree in Early Childhood and the single most important thing I learned while in college was that kids learn best through play.

Structured academics shoved down their throats at birth does NOT produce smarter kids. IMHO, it produces kids with anxiety issues, self-esteem issues and a whole bunch of other "side-effects" that parents, teachers, politicians and others refuse to acknowledge.

Can I drive that point home with parents? Nope. They are going to do what they feel is best for their child (or themselves) every.single.time so I let it be.

[daycarediva]

She hated it! ::

She said the "teachers" were rude when she asked questions* and there was no academic program. They won't do his ST or OT. She said for now, he is staying here.

She did NOT like my response. I pretty much told her that if she was unhappy with his care, she should continue to look elsewhere. She stuttered over 'not being unhappy' but 'wanting more of an education'. I just told her that if she found something she liked, to let me know because I was conducting interviews.

* walking through my program during lunch asking questions and I would be rude, too.

I got a call for a 19mo PT. Interview is tomorrow, and with my enhanced rates for younger kids and PT, it is the same amount of income for less days.

[daycare]

She hated it! ::

She said the "teachers" were rude when she asked questions* and there was no academic program. They won't do his ST or OT. She said for now, he is staying here.

She did NOT like my response. I pretty much told her that if she was unhappy with his care, she should continue to look elsewhere. She stuttered over 'not being unhappy' but 'wanting more of an education'. I just told her that if she found something she liked, to let me know because I was conducting interviews.

* walking through my program during lunch asking questions and I would be rude, too.

I got a call for a 19mo PT. Interview is tomorrow, and with my enhanced rates for younger kids and PT, it is the same amount of income for less days.

that is awesome news.... I had a parent pull this on me a few months ago. I wish I would have gotten the advise from others on here. Instead I dug myself a hole. Like saying.

Please keep in mind that the new school that you are looking at will follow the school district calendar closing on all holidays, 2.5 weeks for christams, spring break, winter break, summer and so on. I will not be able to guarantee a spot for you even though you plan to keep your other child here.

Long story short, I don't feel good about the family even though they stayed with me. I feel that obviously they must not be happy with my program, or they would not be looking at other places. I teach preschool and even teach a state approved program.

I wish I would have done what you are doing now by helping them to move on.....

I am counting the days....................which will be a long time from now

[Shell]

She hated it! ::

She said the "teachers" were rude when she asked questions* and there was no academic program. They won't do his ST or OT. She said for now, he is staying here.

She did NOT like my response. I pretty much told her that if she was unhappy with his care, she should continue to look elsewhere. She stuttered over 'not being unhappy' but 'wanting more of an education'. I just told her that if she found something she liked, to let me know because I was conducting interviews.

* walking through my program during lunch asking questions and I would be rude, too.

I got a call for a 19mo PT. Interview is tomorrow, and with my enhanced rates for younger kids and PT, it is the same amount of income for less days.

Well done!

[Familycare71]

This is exactly how I feel too. I don't really care if parents want to enroll their infant in knitting classes... whatever... it's their child.

I just require my policies for enrollment AND withdrawing to be followed.

I also want to say that I also have a degree in Early Childhood and the single most important thing I learned while in college was that kids learn best through play.

Structured academics shoved down their throats at birth does NOT produce smarter kids. IMHO, it produces kids with anxiety issues, self-esteem issues and a whole bunch of other "side-effects" that parents, teachers, politicians and others refuse to acknowledge.

Can I drive that point home with parents? Nope. They are going to do what they feel is best for their child (or themselves) every.single.time so I let it be.

[Familycare71]

She hated it! ::

She said the "teachers" were rude when she asked questions* and there was no academic program. They won't do his ST or OT. She said for now, he is staying here.

She did NOT like my response. I pretty much told her that if she was unhappy with his care, she should continue to look elsewhere. She stuttered over 'not being unhappy' but 'wanting more of an education'. I just told her that if she found something she liked, to let me know because I was conducting interviews.

* walking through my program during lunch asking questions and I would be rude, too.

I got a call for a 19mo PT. Interview is tomorrow, and with my enhanced rates for younger kids and PT, it is the same amount of income for less days.

happyface happyface. Good for you!!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I hope the interview goes well so this family can go bye-bye. Ridiculous.

[Jack Sprat]

Oh you touched a nerve! Why do parents all of a sudden think their 3 or 4 year old isn't learning unless they are in a "preschool?" Why do they think a ratio of 1:18 is suddenly better than 1:6? Why do ABC's and 123's become the only thing worth a child knowing? Why do desperately needed social/emotional skills like problem solving, conflict resolution, taking turns, manners, listening while others are talking, etc. become non-important? UGH. I have a BS in early childhood and am technically more qualified than many of these "preschool teachers" but because I run a family child care with mixed-aged groups, child-focused emergent curriculum it is not appropriate for a 3/4 y.o?????!!!!
Ok. Sorry. Had to get that off my chest.

YES!!!!