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On Monday evening I had the WORST interview I have had in a long time. They arrived 20 minutes early (I had a child here still), so I told them that they would have to wait in their car until our appointment time, since I do not do interviews with children in care.
They brought the infant sibling along, that's fine. BUT they didn't WATCH the crawling infant at all, and I kept awkwardly removing small items from her hands (eg. brother was playing with a Lego center I have on the table, dropped a Lego, baby picked it up and parents did nothing). When I did remove the item, she screamed/yelled in protest and the mother PICKED UP A LEGO and HANDED IT TO HER INFANT TO CHEW. I had to speak up and say that I was concerned it was a choking hazard.
Mom is a SAHM with a mothers helper 3 days/week. They were interested in my drop in/1 day/week space. She wants brother to come on one of the days her helper is there. The helper would do drop off/pick ups. I would never see either parent. The Mom kept saying the available day wrong. I kept correcting her. She said "Oh but my helper isn't scheduled on that day. I can't POSSIBLY drop off son with daughter, too." Dad suggests they switch the mothers helper days around when I said I could not change my entire schedule. Mom agrees that COULD work.
Child had some obvious speech delay and I suspect a gross motor delay as well. At 4, he couldn't manage going DOWN the three small steps off my porch.
Everything was posed to him as a question. "Would you like to leave now?" when I wrapped up the interview, for instance. "Would you like to wear your jacket?" (it was cold and raining). Of course, NO was the answer so the parents tried to STAY and let him play "You can chose one more activity." and I had to say "Unfortunately I have obligations and need to close for the evening."
I say I'm conducting interviews, I'll let you know when I make a decision.
Last night, the emails started.
The Mom writes "child'sweirdname has some concerns. Child likes to chose his meals for the day. Can you make substitutions for him? If not, we will bring his meals, they will just need to be warmed. Child would like a couch for himself to rest and relax in. Will child have his own couch? (I have two, they fit three kids). Child would prefer a morning snack as we have at home, can you change your meals to accomodate? Child does not nap, so he would like some special time with his new teacher while the other children nap."
I reply, and we go back and forth, ad nauseam
I finally said that I didn't think it would be a good fit, that I appreciated their interest in my program and gave them some 1/2 day, 2 day week program options in our area. Thank you, best of luck, nice meeting you.
Mom replies just now with
"Thank you for those suggestions. We would like child to start next week, my helper will be coming with him for the first few weeks to acclimate him to your colorful space, and to help you understand child's quiet yet advanced speech. We will pack his meals and I will write directions in his bag."
My next email.
I have already filled the space with another child. Best of luck to you in finding child care that better meets child's needs.
I REALLY need to get away from this area. To top if off, this mom is friends with another of my moms. This mom told current dcm that the child was coming here. Awkward conversation last night about how I haven't made a decision yet.
And no, I don't have the space filled yet.
They brought the infant sibling along, that's fine. BUT they didn't WATCH the crawling infant at all, and I kept awkwardly removing small items from her hands (eg. brother was playing with a Lego center I have on the table, dropped a Lego, baby picked it up and parents did nothing). When I did remove the item, she screamed/yelled in protest and the mother PICKED UP A LEGO and HANDED IT TO HER INFANT TO CHEW. I had to speak up and say that I was concerned it was a choking hazard.
Mom is a SAHM with a mothers helper 3 days/week. They were interested in my drop in/1 day/week space. She wants brother to come on one of the days her helper is there. The helper would do drop off/pick ups. I would never see either parent. The Mom kept saying the available day wrong. I kept correcting her. She said "Oh but my helper isn't scheduled on that day. I can't POSSIBLY drop off son with daughter, too." Dad suggests they switch the mothers helper days around when I said I could not change my entire schedule. Mom agrees that COULD work.
Child had some obvious speech delay and I suspect a gross motor delay as well. At 4, he couldn't manage going DOWN the three small steps off my porch.
Everything was posed to him as a question. "Would you like to leave now?" when I wrapped up the interview, for instance. "Would you like to wear your jacket?" (it was cold and raining). Of course, NO was the answer so the parents tried to STAY and let him play "You can chose one more activity." and I had to say "Unfortunately I have obligations and need to close for the evening."
I say I'm conducting interviews, I'll let you know when I make a decision.
Last night, the emails started.
The Mom writes "child'sweirdname has some concerns. Child likes to chose his meals for the day. Can you make substitutions for him? If not, we will bring his meals, they will just need to be warmed. Child would like a couch for himself to rest and relax in. Will child have his own couch? (I have two, they fit three kids). Child would prefer a morning snack as we have at home, can you change your meals to accomodate? Child does not nap, so he would like some special time with his new teacher while the other children nap."
I reply, and we go back and forth, ad nauseam
I finally said that I didn't think it would be a good fit, that I appreciated their interest in my program and gave them some 1/2 day, 2 day week program options in our area. Thank you, best of luck, nice meeting you.
Mom replies just now with
"Thank you for those suggestions. We would like child to start next week, my helper will be coming with him for the first few weeks to acclimate him to your colorful space, and to help you understand child's quiet yet advanced speech. We will pack his meals and I will write directions in his bag."
My next email.
I have already filled the space with another child. Best of luck to you in finding child care that better meets child's needs.
I REALLY need to get away from this area. To top if off, this mom is friends with another of my moms. This mom told current dcm that the child was coming here. Awkward conversation last night about how I haven't made a decision yet.
And no, I don't have the space filled yet.
"acclimate him to your colorful space"???? "Can he have his own couch"????
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