Parents in Play Area

[Unregistered]

Hi. I have a new family that has been here two days for trial care, and will be here this week two day-then 4 days part time beginning next week.
My play are is in a separate part of my home from the drop off area. When parents come to me for interview I meet during times when I don't have children so that I can show them out play area, etc. This mom didn't ask to see play area, and be use I was doing a Sunday morning interview I was rushed, trying to get done so I could still make it to late morning services. She never asked. I totally forgot to show her as we had company staying here that weekend and things were hectic I do not allow parents in the play area while I have children in there that don't belong to them. If their children were the only ones in there I wouldn't have a problem.
So today, previous mom I spoke about dropped in (she had dropped her boys at school. They are 4 and 6). She stood at the front door. I had two children dropped of during this time. She commented on the one child who had two different shoes on. (He is strong willed and his mom didn't feel like fighting him). She commented "oh wow" that I had two kids being dropped off that would be transported to school when preschool starts. Asked how many kids I transport to school (3). Asked when she could see the playroom when kids weren't here. I told her (since I offer second shift care) that it I have kids till 11 during the week. Another "oh wow". So I said it would need to be this Saturday or Sunday. Another "oh wow". Her suspicious nature and attitude just really made me nervous and kinda sent red flags that she would be a troublesome person. She left her last provider because her boys didn't think she played with them enough.
What are your feeling and take on this mom?

[Unregistered]

Edit to parents in play room

Let me state that she was highly annoyed when I wouldn't let her see the play area because I had children in there. Eye roll and acting as if my reasons were very silly and suspicious. My reasons stem from an incident where a parent used a racial slur toward a child in my care who was running through the room after I had told him not to.

[Blackcat31]

Hi. I have a new family that has been here two days for trial care, and will be here this week two day-then 4 days part time beginning next week.
My play are is in a separate part of my home from the drop off area. When parents come to me for interview I meet during times when I don't have children so that I can show them out play area, etc. This mom didn't ask to see play area, and be use I was doing a Sunday morning interview I was rushed, trying to get done so I could still make it to late morning services. She never asked. I totally forgot to show her as we had company staying here that weekend and things were hectic I do not allow parents in the play area while I have children in there that don't belong to them. If their children were the only ones in there I wouldn't have a problem.
So today, previous mom I spoke about dropped in (she had dropped her boys at school. They are 4 and 6). She stood at the front door. I had two children dropped of during this time. She commented on the one child who had two different shoes on. (He is strong willed and his mom didn't feel like fighting him). She commented "oh wow" that I had two kids being dropped off that would be transported to school when preschool starts. Asked how many kids I transport to school (3). Asked when she could see the playroom when kids weren't here. I told her (since I offer second shift care) that it I have kids till 11 during the week. Another "oh wow". So I said it would need to be this Saturday or Sunday. Another "oh wow". Her suspicious nature and attitude just really made me nervous and kinda sent red flags that she would be a troublesome person. She left her last provider because her boys didn't think she played with them enough.
What are your feeling and take on this mom?

The bolded above would have made me say NO.

I do NOT entertain the children.

I am wondering why you didn't offer her to see the play area during the interview? I understand that you were rushed but honestly I feel the interview is the gateway to my program and is THE most important part of the client-provider relationship.

The interview needs to be thorough or you find yourself in this type of situation. The mom seemed surprised about several KEY POINTS (you transport/you offer second shift care) to your program so even if rushed those things should have been discussed or at the very least mentioned.

I understand her inquisitive behavior......I'd have asked too.


It almost sounds like you need to re-interview this family and see if they really are a good fit for your program

[Unregistered]

The fact she seemed so surprised was confusing,as her boys will be transported by me (the only reason I haven't transported yet is because mom takes the first week off school to make sure the boys are comfortable at the beginning of the school year) and at our interview we discussed it. The only thing I think is that she thought her boys would be the ONLY children I transport.

[Blackcat31]

The fact she seemed so surprised was confusing,as her boys will be transported by me (the only reason I haven't transported yet is because mom takes the first week off school to make sure the boys are comfortable at the beginning of the school year) and at our interview we discussed it. The only thing I think is that she thought her boys would be the ONLY children I transport.

Honestly, I'd cut and run....

She left her previous provider because the boys (ages 4 and 6) said the provider didn't play with them enough

and

She thought her boys would be the only ones...

Did she know she was interviewing a GROUP daycare provider? Sounds like she thinks she hired a nanny.

If you can afford it, I'd just get out now. If this parent seriously switched care providers because of something her children told her, I would NOT be willing to work with a parent like that. Simply because how could you?

She wants individual or special for just her boys.
Unless you can do that, this will not end well.

[Unregistered]

Thank you! I can afford to and will do just that!

[Leigh]

The bolded above would have made me say NO.

I do NOT entertain the children.

I am wondering why you didn't offer her to see the play area during the interview? I understand that you were rushed but honestly I feel the interview is the gateway to my program and is THE most important part of the client-provider relationship.

The interview needs to be thorough or you find yourself in this type of situation. The mom seemed surprised about several KEY POINTS (you transport/you offer second shift care) to your program so even if rushed those things should have been discussed or at the very least mentioned.

I understand her inquisitive behavior......I'd have asked too.


It almost sounds like you need to re-interview this family and see if they really are a good fit for your program

Absolutely. If you want someone to play with your children all day, you need a $15/hr babysitter, not a $3/hr daycare.

[Mike]

Absolutely. If you want someone to play with your children all day, you need a $15/hr babysitter, not a $3/hr daycare.

Like bc said, she sounds like she wants special attention, so good choice to move on.

[Rockgirl]

Personally, I wouldn't enroll my child in a daycare where I wasn't allowed to see where they will be spending their day. Why should the mom have to ask to see it during the interview, or just not see it at all?

[happymom]

Personally, I wouldn't enroll my child in a daycare where I wasn't allowed to see where they will be spending their day. Why should the mom have to ask to see it during the interview, or just not see it at all?

I agree. While this mom sounds like trouble, I don't understand why you can't make an exception for her to see the play area while kids are there. The daycare my kids attend allows tours of all areas regardless of whether kids are there or not. No area my kids have access to is off limits to me.

[Play Care]

I agree. While this mom sounds like trouble, I don't understand why you can't make an exception for her to see the play area while kids are there. The daycare my kids attend allows tours of all areas regardless of whether kids are there or not. No area my kids have access to is off limits to me.

This. Yes, you had a bad experience but I assume you handled it. It's not as if she was asking to be left alone with the other children to play for hours.

[Denali]

Except that if this mom wants special she'll see this as an opening to more special. If op bends on this big rule then why not others?

If it was such a big must for mom, then she should have asked during the interview. Now it just sounds like a way for her to be bossy.

[Blackcat31]

Personally, I wouldn't enroll my child in a daycare where I wasn't allowed to see where they will be spending their day. Why should the mom have to ask to see it during the interview, or just not see it at all?

I don't think the mom was not allowed, I think the OP said the mom never asked.

I agree. While this mom sounds like trouble, I don't understand why you can't make an exception for her to see the play area while kids are there. The daycare my kids attend allows tours of all areas regardless of whether kids are there or not. No area my kids have access to is off limits to me.

Some providers are really strict about other parents not having access to the playroom or other daycare kids for various reasons so it isn't as uncommon as you'd think.

NannyDe is one I can think of off the top of my head that does NOT anyone access to her playroom. ever.

Except that if this mom wants special she'll see this as an opening to more special. If op bends on this big rule then why not others?

If it was such a big must for mom, then she should have asked during the interview. Now it just sounds like a way for her to be bossy.

I agree... the wanting "special" is what stuck out to me too.

[happymom]

I don't think the mom was not allowed, I think the OP said the mom never asked.

Some providers are really strict about other parents not having access to the playroom or other daycare kids for various reasons so it isn't as uncommon as you'd think.

NannyDe is one I can think of off the top of my head that does NOT anyone access to her playroom. ever.

I agree... the wanting "special" is what stuck out to me too.

As a parent, I can not understand this. Why wouldn't a provider not allow a parent to see the play area? I would assume they have something to hide.

[Blackcat31]

As a parent, I can not understand this. Why wouldn't a provider not allow a parent to see the play area? I would assume they have something to hide.

Its not access to the physical space that isn't allowed.
It's access to the other children.

In the OP's situation, I gather that she (OP) was willing to show mom the playroom at the time of interview but the parent didn't ask. When she did ask, there were other kids there so the OP said no.