What Do Parents Say They Like About You?

[BumbleBee]

After thinking about it some more:

1. 2 parents have stated that they like that have degree(s) in this field. One was a parent of a special needs child who doesn't "look" special needs (mom's words, not mine) and had trouble with other daycare's expecting more out of her kid than the child was capable of.

2. My house 'looks like a daycare.' I've heard that one numerous times. Some potential parents are surprised that it's more daycare than home.

[KiddieCahoots]

I'm glad you like it
So how it's gone for me: In the dark ages when I began childcare:: every person who visited signed up, usually on the spot, that same day.

I have always had great feedback at the end of our years. I think that's because parents get super feedback at the pre-K assessment that is now required here. My kids are known to be well-prepared, and even during special ed evaluations, most evaluators comment that they know I run a quality program. I found that at one school teachers were placing informal bets on which children came from my house :: One child respectfully argued with an evaluator over the meaning of a "big word" ... and the child was right :: So that's all good. This year, both of my soon-to-be-K children's parents were asked where their children went to preschool, because they were found to be exceptionally well-prepared. (And for the record, I do not believe in teaching to any test/standard/etc. I believe in developmentally appropriate interactions with my children, which can be different for every child at every age. I believe in meeting a child "where they are at".)

happyface...... That is precious! I love working with the area schools!
The area schools that I gather helpful information from have a pool of providers they like. Especially one school in particular. The same school my own children have attended. They not only have had my own, but other children from the child care that were well prepared. Find referrals from them to be very nice, and helpful.
I believe the same, "where they are at". Among other things, we are extremely social here, and feel it jogs the brain, gearing them socially and emotionally. Plus...it's so fun to hear their perspective, makes me laugh
My sons K. teacher, in the beginning of the year had him get up in front of the class to explain the front and back cover of a book, and what information was on the title page. Even though it's on the frameworks for children to know, not many did. Simple things like this help me realize I'm doing right by my kids....kwim?
My problem is more that I accept the first client that comes along when an opening occurs. Sometimes, it will be the wrong fit, and instead of terminate, I tend to stick it out, even when I shouldn't. But fear of ruining my reputation will keep me at it, and it will make for an exhausting working relationship.
I'm learning a lot from this form though,.....Thank God! And have recently begun to weed out the bad apples, gently. The stress relief has been a God Send!

[SignMeUp]

happyface...... That is precious! I love working with the area schools!
The area schools that I gather helpful information from have a pool of providers they like. Especially one school in particular. The same school my own children have attended. They not only have had my own, but other children from the child care that were well prepared. Find referrals from them to be very nice, and helpful.

It is great, isn't it? And for many years I had lots of teachers' kids because of this too. Not as much now that younger teachers are laid off from our system.

I believe the same, "where they are at". Among other things, we are extremely social here, and feel it jogs the brain, gearing them socially and emotionally. Plus...it's so fun to hear their perspective, makes me laugh

I really think that social interactions are not given enough weight in recent years. I believe that if children can figure out the complicated subtleties of social skills (proper words, hands off, watch facial expression & body language, etc.) that they are prepared to learn almost everything Much as I think that pumping on a swing is a pre-literacy skill :: Right-left brain coordination, patterning, etc. Psst...spread the word ::::::

My sons K. teacher, in the beginning of the year had him get up in front of the class to explain the front and back cover of a book, and what information was on the title page. Even though it's on the frameworks for children to know, not many did. Simple things like this help me realize I'm doing right by my kids....kwim?

That is so cool! I made up a handout after a 20 hour pre-literacy course, for parents. It was easy for me to do these things, but I did them naturally, without realizing & didn't pass enough info along to parents. Of course, I did not agree with everything in the pre-literacy course, but I won't bore you with that today

My problem is more that I accept the first client that comes along when an opening occurs. Sometimes, it will be the wrong fit, and instead of terminate, I tend to stick it out, even when I shouldn't. But fear of ruining my reputation will keep me at it, and it will make for an exhausting working relationship.

I do this too, not all the time, but mostly. But I do have a different perspective on it. I like diversity in my group, in every way. I think it stems from believing in the mixed-age group and living in a racially diverse area. But I also found that I need to find people who don't always agree with me, or I start to feel like my group is too in-grown, if that makes sense.

I'm learning a lot from this form though,.....Thank God! And have recently begun to weed out the bad apples, gently. The stress relief has been a God Send!

I had one self-weed recently :::::: though I had to toss her out after she pulled herself out of the ground

[KiddieCahoots]

It is great, isn't it? And for many years I had lots of teachers' kids because of this too. Not as much now that younger teachers are laid off from our system.

Yes! I have a teacher, and a relative of a teacher from that school, asking about my opening that will occur in August.

I really think that social interactions are not given enough weight in recent years. I believe that if children can figure out the complicated subtleties of social skills (proper words, hands off, watch facial expression & body language, etc.) that they are prepared to learn almost everything Much as I think that pumping on a swing is a pre-literacy skill :: Right-left brain coordination, patterning, etc. Psst...spread the word ::::::

I am totally on board with you! I like to use American Sign Language with the children and babies, to help them understand using more sensory. My moms usually take the time to learn the signs too. One day, my babies mom came to me, showed me the sign her baby used, and asked what her baby was saying. I told her, she was signing that she was happy

Jeanine Fitzgerald, behavioral specialist, supports this theory too! I go to her trainings whenever possible, and just her book. She lives in my area, but if you ever get the chance to see her, I highly recommend it. She's fantastic!

[KiddieCahoots]

Oopps! Sorry about that, messed up on he multi quote.
Still learning.......me and technology

[Meeko]

Parents like the fact that I have designated space for their kids and yet it is still very homey. Most do not want their kids in "school". But they also don't want their kids crammed in one end only of somebody's living room either.

I have been told they chose me because of experience and referrals from ex-clients and the fact that I am very well organized.

But one reason is always the same! They all appreciate various things... my experience, the space, referrals etc etc......but they all say the same thing. CLEANLINESS!!

I haven't been in any other daycare homes around here, but it freaks me out to hear some of the stories from parents I am interviewing. It seems many are put off by dirty homes and smells. On MANY occasions they have told me about going for SCHEDULED appointments at various homes and seeing dirty diapers on changing tables, dirty dishes on tables, laundry on floors etc....

I couldn't live like that in a PRIVATE home, let alone knowing people were going to be visiting.

I don't see myself as a neat freak, but I do like to be clean and organized. I couldn't function any other way.

[cheerfuldom]

A couple of things I have heard through the years....

Parents like that I am a mom of four, so lots of experience just in general. I am established now (going on 7 years) and have GREAT references of current and past families. I have a fenced yard (is that hard to find? several of people have commented about that....) that is super kid friendly. We have a separate and large play area. I am almost 100% reliable (only 2 sick days ever!) and my rates are fair. I keep a small number of children. I have had several people comment that they felt comfortable with me right away and I am glad to know that people feel that I am honest and down-to-earth because I really do try to be that.

I don't have anything fancy, no curriculum, no degree (I am two classes away from one....), nothing that just screams uniqueness BUT I am on good friendly terms with all my daycare parents (except one DCD, see other posts....) and it seems like the parents I work with just want somewhere clean/safe/reliable with caregiver that they like as a person and apparently that is hard to find.

I have been to a number of local providers places and several are scary, smell like pets, large number of kids, rooms packed floor to ceiling with school stuff (not a homey environment) and while these may be licensed places with providers that have degrees, it still is uncomfortable for the parents. All the moms I work with are my age, fairly outgoing, most are teachers or work with the public and so it is like I attract a certain kind of mom and that is who keeps coming.

[misslori50]

That we are like family. That we LOVE their kids like our own

[SignMeUp]

That we are like family. That we LOVE their kids like our own

lovethis this. It must be nice to be going out of child care knowing that your families feel this way about you. lovethis

I'm still trying to figure out what the original draw is. I know what people love after they are here, but I am often puzzled by what the deciding factor is -- or isn't -- :confused:

It seems that many of us have had those families interview with us that "felt" like a click, but then they didn't enroll. So what is it that those people were looking for? What did they see somewhere else and not see at our child care homes?

I've decided that I do not want to ask families who did not enroll -- maybe some day I will though. But I am going to make it a point to ask people who do enroll, what they saw here that made them make the choice.

[KidGrind]

1. I am funny.

2. I have an area dedicated to daycare.

3. I do crafts, sing, feed… Basically I am serious about my career.