Parent Wants to Provide Cot?

[Thriftylady]

I wouldn't want the parent to provide this. IF you were going to do cots, it should be for everyone and YOU should get to pick what cots you want to use.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I recently switched to those cots and love them. But I chose them, not the parents. And first I gave thought to the cleaning and storage issues. That's also why I provide linens--I don't want big huge sleeping bags covered in commercial characters taking over my home. If someone wanted to bring one, I'd say no. The parents of the first infant I taught brought his bed for me to use. I preferred it to the pack-and-plays I had, so I said yes. A storage nightmare, but it was worth it to me, because he slept so easily. Again--my decision. Sounds like you've given your reasons for your choices good thought. Stick with your policies.

[Controlled Chaos]

I have these cots and love them! Accidents have never gone through and I have been able to wash sheets and scrub cot with carpet cleaner.

But as others have said I wouldn't ever allow parents to bring in equipment. Huge liability. I think you will need to tell these parents NO a lot for a while before they are properly trained ::

[Play Care]

That is exactly why I am bristling at the request. These parents have already proved to be hard to work with (would not give me holding fee for the two weeks). I think I will send her a nicely worded letter and hold my ground.

Hold up, they refused to give you a required holding fee?

Why are you still taking them on?

If I require something per my contract and a parent refuses, that's when I say "it's clear that my child care is not able to meet your needs. Good luck in your search"

We wouldn't even be having a cot discussion. They'd be gone.

[NillaWafers]

Hold up, they refused to give you a required holding fee?

Why are you still taking them on?

If I require something per my contract and a parent refuses, that's when I say "it's clear that my child care is not able to meet your needs. Good luck in your search"

We wouldn't even be having a cot discussion. They'd be gone.

Their argument was that they were going to sign up earlier, but the spots filled so quickly (I got a part timer and a full timer (that was a no show)) that they couldn't when they needed to (only a few days later). So they made other plans. It is was a two week holding fee, so 100 each.

I took their deposits immediately though, so that balanced it out. Two weeks isn't that long to me, but if it were like a month or two I would definitely have turned them away.

ETA: I did tell them the cot wouldn't work and she said "No problem, thanks for considering it". So it went over smoothly.

[renodeb]

I would have to tell them that those cots don't meet the safety and sanitation requirements. I have never had a parent ask to provide cots/pnp. I have mats to, they get folded and stowed on top on my shelf in dc area. They work great for my limited space. I would love to know what happens when you tell them you can't use those. Good luck.
Deb

[Mom o Col]

I think it's fine for you to tell them it won't work for you. Just wanted to say I have three of these cots and we've used them for years with no trouble at all. I love them. Having said that, I agree that all the kids need to have the same which in your case is nap mats.