Letter help please

[Baby Beluga]

Help!

I am having an issue with one parent who will stand on the front porch during drop off and pick up time...for some reason this parent refuses to actually come inside. He wants to stand on the front porch while I talk to him. This is creating a few issues for me.

1) His children like to play with my door. His child actually put a whole in my wall the other day from slamming my door. I have a "no children may touch the door policy" and I have to constantly enforce this during pick up with these children.

2) my AC will be running soon - I am not going to stand with an open door and cool the outside.

3) he is letting his children play in my rocks, with pots on the front porch, etc.

How can I word to parents in a letter that during drop off and pick up times they need to enter the playroom and have their children by the hand when leaving so they do not play with rocks/pots/etc?

[Baby Beluga]

Dear Parents,

As you know drop-off and pick-up transitions are a very exciting time during a child’s day. In order to help this transition be as smooth as possible I would like to go over a few ground rules:

*The parent or person responsible for drop-off and pick-up must fully enter the playroom during these transition times. I am no longer able to discuss your child’s day on the front porch.

*Children are not permitted to touch doors.

*Children may not be on the black rug unless they are entering or leaving the playroom.

*For your child’s safety, please do not let your child play with rocks or other landscape items in the front yard or porch. Although my home is sprayed monthly by a pest control service, insects like scorpions and centipedes are still a risk when living in ***** Many of these insects live in rocks and little ones can potentially have serious health consequences if stung.

That is what I have so far. Is it okay? Anything you would change? I am terrible at writing letters to parents! I have tried talking to the parent and inviting them in....but nothing is working!

[daycare]

I find that sending these emails out for these types of issues does not resolve much. You just have to tell them to their face.

I used to send out emails for these kind of things all the time and would see results from maybe one family.

I would just tell dcp directly and even maybe follow it up with an email. that way it is documented.

DCD,
I need for you to come in at drop off and pick up, sign your kids in/out, hug and a kiss goo-bye and be on your way.

Then I would probably follow up with an email that said. I just wanted to follow up with our conversation on Friday about coming in at drop off and pick up. I really appreciate you following all policies of the daycare to help continue to keep our children safe.

[Baby Beluga]

Thanks Daycare

Unfortunately this parent and I have had discussions about this before and nothing has changed. Aside from a letter I am not sure what to do. This parent is often distracted at pick up time (when the majority of the issues happen) I was hoping a letter would allow him to truly understand that these things need to change/happen.

[MarinaVanessa]

I agree with Daycare, these are all issues that should be handled personally and if you have done that already and nothing has change then you need to come to the realization that he is not taking you seriously.

So now you have to make a choice. How serious is this issue? Is it an issue that you are willing to live with for the sake of the income or is the issue important enough that you are willing to term over it? IMO if this was happening to me and I had talked to him about it I would see it as non-compliance and a disregard for my rules, time and overhead.

So you can talk to him one more time and have a letter prepared for him TO SIGN. Put in the letter what the issues are and what your expectations are but talk to him verbally. Then pull out the letter briefly go over it and have him sign a copy to put in his file.

Hopefully he'll see it as an agreement to stick to. You may not need it but considering that parents act a little wacky sometimes I would have a generic 2 week notice ready for him as well. If things get heated or if he completely brushes you off I would had him the 2 week notice to let him know that this is not negotiable.

The letter could say something like:

Date

Dear DCP,

As you know drop-off and pick-up transitions are a very busy time in my daycare. In order to help transitions be as smooth as possible for myself and everyone else I would like to go over a few concerns:

* All adults are required to fully enter the playroom during drop-offs and pick-ups if you wish to discuss your child's day or other matters with me. If you do not fully enter then I will assume that you wish for a speedy drop-off and pick-up and so will send your child quickly out the door so that I can go back to supervising the other children. If there are matters you wish to discuss or you wish to discuss your child's day please enter fully into the playroom.

* I maintain the temperature of my home at a comfortable level for the children and leaving the front door open during the pick-up and drop-off process allows heat/cool air to exit the home. It is my goal to keep daycare costs low and since heating/cooling are a large portion of my daycare expenses the front door is to be closed quickly behind you when entering and leaving my home.

* For safety reasons children are not permitted to touch doors. As the parent it is your responsibility to make sure that your child does not play with or around the doors when you are present.

* Children may not be on the black rug unless they are entering or leaving the playroom. Once again, it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure that your child follows this rule when you are present.

* For your child’s safety and for the safety of other children and adults, no one is allowed to pick up or play with the rocks and other landscape items in the front yard or porch. Have complete control of your child during drop-offs and pick-ups and do not let your child play with these. My home is sprayed monthly by a pest control service, however insects like scorpions and centipedes are still a risk when living in *****. My family and I take time to keep my property looking pleasant and when children are allowed to throw, move and scatter rocks and other landscaping I must then take the time to put these all back. Scattered rocks and landscaping also create a tripping hazard and thrown rocks can cause damage to property, cars or other people. Please eliminate the risk of you having to pay for damages that your child may cause by no longer allowing him to play with these.

I would like to remind you that I have rules in place that benefit everyone as a whole. These rules help keep the daycare running smoothly and ensure that there is a respectful and pleasant relationship between myself, my family and my clients. Understand that these rules are requirements and are non-negotiable in order to maintain our provider/parent relationship.

I appreciate you taking the time and effort to make sure that the above are corrected. Thank You.

Your Provider


Parent Signature: ______

[Second Home]

I always make sure to get the parents signature on letters like this , I give them a copy and I keep one . That way they can not say I never told them or spoke to them about the issue.

[Baby Beluga]

Thank you everyone!

I spoke with this parent again last night - hopefully this will be the past time! If not, then I will write and have hi sign a letter with the policies on it.