Parents in Play Area

[Mike]

I used to allow parents to come and hang out in the playroom. I figured they could meet their children's friends etc. All sweet and fun right???

Until one Dad used to come and visit a lot. While here, he was chatty and friendly and seemed like a really nice guy. The kids sat on his lap and played with him. I was right there.

Then I checked........he was a prior convicted child rapist. He had done time in another state and got out on "good behavior" Omitted to tell his new wife about his past. Somehow managed to keep it from her he was on the sex offenders list.

He was coming over on a regular basis to get his jollies with the kids in my care. We found out later he was abusing his own daughter. Just because he wasn't creepy and wearing a dirty raincoat, didn't mean he wasn't a monster. He appeared to be a respectable businessman in a suit.

He is back in prison now.

My daycare parents never blamed me for letting this creep around their children, but I vowed it would NEVER happen again

.....

I learned the hard way that you can NEVER be too cautious about who has access to the kids. It's our job to keep them safe. A daycare is a wonderful buffet for a pedophile.

My daycare parents LOVE the idea that their kids are not on display or hanging out with an untold number of adults they do not know.

But I DO have something to hide!!

I want to hide the fact that little John (and several others) has his bare behind in the air during a diaper change.

I want to hide the fact that Sue has a lisp she's self conscious about and doesn't need an adult making snide comments about it.

I want to hide the fact that James is telling me about his parents having a big fight last night and how it scared him. He's not going to confide in me with a stranger in the room.

I want to hide the fact that Sara needs the bathroom a lot and is shy about it.

Nobody needs to see and hear these things. These kids are not zoo animals on display and are entitled to some privacy and to feel secure.

Exactly why you don't give a tour while watching children, or even let parents in for more than a few minutes at drop off or pick up.

[happymom]

Reasonable enough answers. Thanks guys!