New dad......????

[MissAnn]

OK, so I have a new dad. Every day when he picks up his kid he asks me how many kids I have. Usually it's 6 or under. I have no idea why this is important to him. He was a little intense at the interview about curriculum which surprises me because his child is 4 and knows no letters, numbers and cannot even begin to write his name.

Today he came in and the kids were all eating at the table. He counted and said....why do you have 7? I told him I have 7 until one goes to kindergarten. I remind him I can have 7. Then he says....I thought you would have 6 through the school year. I tell him that if the right child comes along I will have 7 but never more.

What do you think of this? Does he think 6 is fine but 7 is too many? The kids are always acting fine when he gets picked up. Never pandemonium.

Honestly....he makes me nervous...like I'm being judged. I have a very good reputation for getting kids ready for kindergarten. It's not like he won't get what he needs.....even though I have a ways to go with him.

[KidGrind]

OK, so I have a new dad. Every day when he picks up his kid he asks me how many kids I have. Usually it's 6 or under. I have no idea why this is important to him. He was a little intense at the interview about curriculum which surprises me because his child is 4 and knows no letters, numbers and cannot even begin to write his name.

Today he came in and the kids were all eating at the table. He counted and said....why do you have 7? I told him I have 7 until one goes to kindergarten. I remind him I can have 7. Then he says....I thought you would have 6 through the school year. I tell him that if the right child comes along I will have 7 but never more.

What do you think of this? Does he think 6 is fine but 7 is too many? The kids are always acting fine when he gets picked up. Never pandemonium.

Honestly....he makes me nervous...like I'm being judged. I have a very good reputation for getting kids ready for kindergarten. It's not like he won't get what he needs.....even though I have a ways to go with him.

I don’t get why he is so concerned with your numbers. I’d stop answering with a specific number. My next answer would be, “Within the state regulations.” If he asked again, “What is your concern?”

He wants you to get his kid ready for kindergarten. I don’t know your situation. Frankly if you can let this one go, I would.

[nannyde]

Just tell him to ask your director.

[Cat Herder]

He could be one of those who is calculating the tuition increase for you.

I had one in the past ask when their rates would go down since I added two more slots when my kids went back to public school.

[Thriftylady]

If he asked me again, I would flat out ask him if he has an issue with my numbers. If no, I would say "ok this is settled", if yes, I would likely tell him if he didn't trust me he needs to find a new provider.

[MissAnn]

If he asked me again, I would flat out ask him if he has an issue with my numbers. If no, I would say "ok this is settled", if yes, I would likely tell him if he didn't trust me he needs to find a new provider.

I could send him to the provider across town. All the kids run outside whenever a parent arrives. The kids get up and down while eating and they do no learning activities. That might be just the kind of structure he needs.

[AmyKidsCo]

I'd ask him why he keeps asking how many children you have. Maybe he heard horror stories about providers being over ratio or a friend told him to watch out for too many kids.

[MissAnn]

The boy came in extra early today. He seemed OK when dad left but another boy who also came in extra early was crying. I went to go comfort him. The other boy apparently went back to the door and was starting to open it when another dad came in! I usually have my door alarm on but I didn't put it on yet. OK.....so this is now very serious business! I sat the boy down at the little table as I said I would.....as I lectured all the kids about yesterday. He cried his eyes out.....fine with me. I want to keep him safe! I will not back down with this. I will also remember to put the alarm on every morning BEFORE any parent comes! Parents better respect my policies or they can find a new place for their child.

[Unregistered]

I'm confused? What happened yesterday that you were lecturing all the kids about? Whatvdoes that have to do with the dad questioning your ratio?

[MissAnn]

I'm confused? What happened yesterday that you were lecturing all the kids about? Whatvdoes that have to do with the dad questioning your ratio?

OOPS...my bad....this should have gone on another post. Just disregard....LOL

[cheerfuldom]

I always tell a parent at interview what the max number of children I will have here. It is a bad idea to tell them what you currently have because they get attached to that number, to that combo of kids, to particular kids and get upset if anything changes even if you are still within regulations. I would remind them that the max you are allowed to have while staying in state regulations is X number of kids between the ages of Y and Z. Again, don't let them get attached to the current kids because things change.

[hope]

When parents ask how many children are in your care it is best to state how many you can have but let them know it can vary from day to day. The same parent that wants you to only watch 6 kids bc they think 7 is too much will also be concerned when there are only 2 kids on a particular day bc they will feel their child is not getting enough social interaction. They will soon start analyzing the ages of each child to see if your hands are full with so many Littles or that there are not enough role models for their child. They will analyze the gender ratio or just about anything so be aware and ask why they are asking.

[daycarediva]

When parents ask how many children are in your care it is best to state how many you can have but let them know it can vary from day to day. The same parent that wants you to only watch 6 kids bc they think 7 is too much will also be concerned when there are only 2 kids on a particular day bc they will feel their child is not getting enough social interaction. They will soon start analyzing the ages of each child to see if your hands are full with so many Littles or that there are not enough role models for their child. They will analyze the gender ratio or just about anything so be aware and ask why they are asking.

Yup.

I would address it the very next time he asks.

"Today I have 6. I am licensed for ____, in the age range of _____. (pointing out license on the wall) Do you have a specific concern about the ratio that I can help you with?"

If he ever asked again, I'd just point to my license. (It lists my ratio)