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Do you all let parents just stop by unannounced? I had one mom who used to stop by unannounced and it was so distracting to our schedule. Kids would start behaving differently and I felt distracted. It was really annoying. One time she showed up with a supposed co worker who wanted to check out my place. After that I have stopped allowing it completely. I have openings now and I had a parent who called and asked if I allow unannounced visits. How do you all handle this? Thanks so much!
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I allow it EXCEPT at breakfast, lunch and nap times. I tell parents that it disrupts EVERYTHING. I don't mind but, at these times its an absolute no-no. All my parents understand and agree. Also, unless I know the person they are not allowed in my house. So no interviews or stop by to check it outs. They can schedule that after hours. -
Parents have total access to my home from the time their child arrives until that child leaves.
That means that they are allowed to show up at any time to drop off or pick up. They are not invited to come for a "visit", hang out, and then leave without their child. There's no way I would allow them to bring a friend that I didn't know to come and hang out with the kids.Comment
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I allow it, by parents on the contract only. No aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, friends etc. And I ask not during nap time or transition periods.
I've never had a parent do it though. I guess because they both work an hour from here. It's not very convenient to just "stop by"Comment
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I allow enrolled families to stop by unannounced. It is their right to do.
However, when they leave they must take their child with them.
So stopping by unannounced is one thing but stopping by to "visit"? No.Comment
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I let them in and get their child ready to go.
If they brought a stranger into my home unannounced I would also box up their child's things.
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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I allow it other than meal times and naptimes. However, no one has ever done it yet! I would not let anyone other than a parent thoughComment
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That is my rule also. If you want to show up unannounced, be my guest - but your child has to leave with you. That is WAY to confusing for the child to just have mom or dad stop by and not take them with them.
I also do stipulate that while you are free to s top by anytime, I do greatly appreciate a heads up. If a parent arrives unannounced, I might be in the middle of painting with the big kids. That means I have to leave them, go wash up, gather the child's things and deal with that. If I know about you coming early, I can better plan. If you show up unannounced, you are on your own as far as getting the child's things. I am not going to turn the daycare into chaos, because a parent didn't want to give me notice.Comment
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This. We have to allow parents access to their children at all times and honestly encourage any parent with a child in daycare to do so. I feel it's within their rights to drop in unannounced for an early pickup. I wish I would have more with my last provider. I have heard stories of drop ins finding their baby being neglected, bottles propped in swings or not changed all day. It ****s for good providers who can be suspected but I'm sure one early drop in to find everything going well and baby properly cared for would alleviate the concern.
I've had one family who did this, showed up at random times maybe once a week, and looking back she was just kinda out there. First time mom who acted as if I'd never had kids or knew what to do. Insisted she take his bottles and cups every day, his linens every week, provided most (but not all... Weird?) of his food and only organic milk. The funniest part was how she tried to argue with me about the expiration date on a box of ultra-pasteurized organic milk that lasts a long time in the fridge unopened but only 7 days once opened. I tried to send it home with her because by Monday it would be open 8 days. She did NOT believe me and literally stood in my kitchen saying THIS is the expiration date and I had to actually show her where it says "keep refrigerated, use within 7 days of opening" and she finally took it but hello!? I can't believe I put up with so much of her crap looking back. She was very neurotic but for whatever reason she chose me after interviewing literally every daycare in town!Comment
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I allow parents and designated pick-up people to come by at any time, but they have the pleasure of taking their little one with them on the way out. If they do come at a random time, though, they have to understand that we tend to take a walk mid-morning so we may not be here. It's always best to let me know so we can make sure we're around.
I HAVE had parents swing by to drop something off, but that is done at the door where their child won't go through a second separation anxiety.Comment
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Thanks everyone for the good advice. I am just not into having a parent drop by unannounced and then having them stick around to babysit me while I am babysitting their child. I will put in my contract that if a parent drops by during the day to visit their child then they must take them home at that time. Thanks!Comment
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This has worked well for me, but make sure to tell them from day 1, and put it in your contract...and of course promptly stick by your rules. If they have a early pick up, they need to call you first in case you guys are outside, babies are sleeping, etc. That gives you time to get their child ready to leave for the day. Same for late drop-offs. Absolutely, do not allow unannounced visits especially since it's your home, and it's very disruptive to your routine. Like anything if you have a parent that keeps disrespecting you, and your home, then it's time for them to be terminated.
I also let them know right away, that I don't have any adults/strangers hanging out with the kids. And seriously I've had only 2 parents ask about visiting in the last 10 years, and I told them it's my home not a center..and of course all the above. Aside from common sense (some don't have), it's ensures the privacy, and space of the other occupants in the home.
Otherwise, as soon as a parent arrives I get their child and things, open the door so they have to leave promptly. They really have no choice, because I have other children to watch and can't talk to them too long. (worded in my contract)
If can gate your home this helps tremendously to keep the kids where they are suppose to be, and the parents. I've seen many centers now where the child is brought up to the front, so the parent can't disrupt the other children. And sorry to hear you had such a rude parent thinking they could tour your home with their co-worker,
. Now that's one I haven't heard, but I'd better knock on wood.
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