Kids with No Shoes... Advice??

[Thriftylady]

liability? Flip flops in a grassy yard? Jeez! I've been in business for 27 years. Never had a child even require stitches on my watch-so they must not be too freaking dangerous. Also, OP never stated anything about a policy including the child's expected dress for the day.

Have you tried to run and climb in flip flops? They are an accident looking for a place to happen IMHO. Then you have the factor with a lot of kids who just won't leave them on. The OP says she has asked the mom more than once for shoes. When you are asking for them, that constitutes a policy. If she didn't want the shoes she wouldn't be asking for them. Making sure a child is prepared for the day is the responsibility of the parent. One that many of us refuse to take on. The point is, the OP wants the parent to bring shoes, so she needs to make sure the parent understands and does it. Daycare is not like a menu from a restaurant where you pick and choose what your provider provides as goods and services, the provider decides that.

[permanentvacation]

The child should not be coming to daycare dressed for bed. Yes, he/she's arriving early, but he is arriving for the DAY. You need to require that the parent get the child up, dressed for the day, have his teeth brushed, and hair brushed and new diaper/pull-up (if applies) on for the morning. And of course, when a child is dressed and ready to leave their house, they have shoes on!

If he/she is still tired in the morning and you want to lay him/her down until the other children arrive, the child can take a morning nap while completely dressed just like he/she can in the afternoon.

[Snowmom]

You could be a real hard ass and insist she take her son with her to buy shoes at 5 am some morning, but is that the bridge you want to die on? Sometimes parents forget. Sometimes shoes at 5 am is the last thing on their mind. Sometimes parents are just unconcerned. Whatever the reason...to me the fight isn't worth it. I have a couple pair of kids flip flops. They are .97 at Walmart. Problem solved for under $2

IMHO, I don't consider holding parents accountable for what their child needs being "a hard ass".
If they were just forgetful maybe once or twice, it most likely wouldn't be an issue to seek out advice on. Forgetting them nearly everyday = a problem.

I don't allow flip flops as well. We are an active bunch and the kids need to come prepared to play hard every single day. That requires sturdy, comfortable, well fitting shoes. But, that's my own policy... if you're comfortable with the .99 flip flops, then charge the parents .99 cents and go buy flip flops. Or write up an invoice for sturdy shoes you will buy to keep at daycare, have the parent sign it and charge them the $ for it.

If I had a parent ignoring my policy on supplying their child with the tools they need here, they would be sent home to retrieve the items. I just don't have the space to supply 10+ pairs of shoes/coats/boots/mittens, etc. Although I know many providers who DO go that route.

[Pepperth]

I'd probably ask her to buy a cheap pair of shoes to leave at your house.

[MunchkinWrangler]

I'm sorry but what responsible parent takes their kid out of the house without shoes? Would dcm forget her shoes? Doubt it. To me "forgetting " shoes for your child is neglect. And anything else they need for that matter. Does she "forget" to feed him, change him, bathe him? I wouldn't doubt it, she can't even get him out of pj's. SMH!

[Blackcat31]

I AM a hard a$$ (if that's what some want to call it) and I do NOT enable parents by supplying items I require for them.

Forgetting shoes once in a while at 5 am is completely understandable but forgetting on a daily basis IS lazy and not something I would be okay with.

ALL parents have the same 24 hours in a day and if they can't remember to have their child's basic needs met, then perhaps it's time for a realignment of priorities.

As for flip flops and other open toed type shoes being a liability......ABSOLUTELY they are! Kids now days don't spend nearly the same amount of time outside as in the past so their running, climbing and jumping skills are definitely lessor or below average so I prefer they all have well fitting, closed toe shoes on that do not hinder them or cause them to trip and fall on MY watch. So yes, a HUGE liability.

I would either send mom a reminder text the night before or I would buy shoes myself and charge her for them.

I would be more inclined to have mom buy a pair of shoes and LEAVE them at care.

[nannyde]

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64320&highlight=shoes

[rosieteddy]

At 3 years old I would require the child dressed and ready for the day.I would send a note today Friday and insist on fully dressed shoes ect every morning.If he is laying down on arrival take shoes off just like nap. This way you do not have to deal with it.

[KTsKids]

So it sounds like the consensus is that I should let her know that from now on if he arrives without proper shoes she will be sent to the store/home, with dcb, to get a pair. That's kind of what I was leaning towards but wanted to make sure I wasn't being to harsh. Knowing so many of you agree makes me feel a lot better about having the conversation with her, thank you!! I like the rental idea too... Money certainly does speak so after charging her a few times she's probably get the idea! It's just one more thing for me to keep up with though. Bringing shoes just seems like such a basic thing to remember!

As for the PJ's, he does go back to bed soon as he arrives so I've always let it slide. I also offer overnight care so when my overnighters wake up I've got to get them dressed and ready for the day anyway. Otherwise I can see it being more of an issue.

[MotherNature]

The child should not be coming to daycare dressed for bed. Yes, he/she's arriving early, but he is arriving for the DAY. You need to require that the parent get the child up, dressed for the day, have his teeth brushed, and hair brushed and new diaper/pull-up (if applies) on for the morning. And of course, when a child is dressed and ready to leave their house, they have shoes on!

If he/she is still tired in the morning and you want to lay him/her down until the other children arrive, the child can take a morning nap while completely dressed just like he/she can in the afternoon.

All of this. No PJs at daycare, unless it's a special pajama day or something. Put it all back on mom.

[daycarediva]

Send home a note with a checklist, you could do it for just him or ALL kids in care. On the checklist I would state that I REQUIRE that the items be brought IN by X day and LEFT in his cubby (or brought in daily). Put a warning on there that not having the supplies every day would be X consequence (turning away at the door, call for pickup, charge of X).

I supply almost everything and require that parents pay for it. In fall they send in $50/child and I get snowboots, snow pants, hats and gloves. In summer they send in $50 and I get a bathing suit, towel, water bottle and water shoes. I JUST added spring to this- another $50, raincoat and rain boots!

I also supply sunscreen- covered in my annual supply fee.

I also supply nap items- covered in my registration fee.

Everybody has the same (except I color coordinate). Everybody has good quality items (no $1 store gloves, dress boots, water bottles that melt in the dishwasher, too small bathing suits, etc).

I got sick of asking, getting annoyed without supplies. I was sick of turning people away. I was annoyed with cheap supplies when they FINALLY brought them in. I was annoyed at having to explain what appropriate winter clothing was needed for outdoor play to parents.

Now I just charge 'em, and the kids get what they need.

*eta* everything I can buy neutral, I do. I do NOT buy characters. I buy off season and on sale. I buy many in multiple sizes. I no longer have to buy snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, towels. I just prestocked up on spring boots and rain coats. I am at the point where I make money off of this and only buy what is worn or something I don't have that size of.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I would require mom to bring me in a pair of tennis shoes by Monday to remain at my house. If an item cannot be remembered (coat etc) I need a second here at my house to stay here.
Now, I do keep rainboots here and kido would have been in those in the meantime.
I require winter boots, snowpants etc be here at my house all winter and generally parents just pass them on. So one year I may have boots for little suzi and the next year mom needs to supply and then they leave them for someone else.

[renodeb]

I have a clause in my contract that says if I have to buy any of the required items (and there listed in the contract) then I will attach the cost to the next bill. It's a great deterrent and trust me they wont do it more than once. I have a very small back bone to but this could turn into a long standing issue. I would change your contract or add that you have the right to turn a child away if they proper supplies aren't present.

[Hunni Bee]

Send home a note with a checklist, you could do it for just him or ALL kids in care. On the checklist I would state that I REQUIRE that the items be brought IN by X day and LEFT in his cubby (or brought in daily). Put a warning on there that not having the supplies every day would be X consequence (turning away at the door, call for pickup, charge of X).

I supply almost everything and require that parents pay for it. In fall they send in $50/child and I get snowboots, snow pants, hats and gloves. In summer they send in $50 and I get a bathing suit, towel, water bottle and water shoes. I JUST added spring to this- another $50, raincoat and rain boots!

I also supply sunscreen- covered in my annual supply fee.

I also supply nap items- covered in my registration fee.

Everybody has the same (except I color coordinate). Everybody has good quality items (no $1 store gloves, dress boots, water bottles that melt in the dishwasher, too small bathing suits, etc).

I got sick of asking, getting annoyed without supplies. I was sick of turning people away. I was annoyed with cheap supplies when they FINALLY brought them in. I was annoyed at having to explain what appropriate winter clothing was needed for outdoor play to parents.

Now I just charge 'em, and the kids get what they need.

*eta* everything I can buy neutral, I do. I do NOT buy characters. I buy off season and on sale. I buy many in multiple sizes. I no longer have to buy snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, towels. I just prestocked up on spring boots and rain coats. I am at the point where I make money off of this and only buy what is worn or something I don't have that size of.

This is how I want to be set up. . Zero hassle.

I had something similar to this at my old job. I went to yard sales, thrift stores, trolled for donations, etc. I go to my extras box and pull anything I needed most times. Until people started considering it donations to their child's wardrobe instead of sending them back.

[Thriftylady]

I so wish I had the space to require parents to leave a set of everything, or pay a fee and I buy it. But I just don't have the space for that. I would love, love, love it though!