Reference Calling Former Daycare Provider

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • LeslieG
    Daycare.com Member
    • Feb 2013
    • 217

    Reference Calling Former Daycare Provider

    Have any of you called a child's former daycare provider before decided to enroll them in your daycare? I'll be doing this for the first time with a family that I met with recently. The parents seemed great, but the 2 year old boy seemed very hyper and all over the place (I'm not sure if that's how he is or if he was just excited to be in a new place).

    What questions would you ask his former daycare provider?

    **Also, the parents told me they are looking for a new daycare because his current provider is overwhelmed with the amount of children she is caring for, so has decided to let them go (because they are part-time).
  • Blackcat31
    • Oct 2010
    • 36124

    #2
    Originally posted by LeslieG
    Have any of you called a child's former daycare provider before decided to enroll them in your daycare? I'll be doing this for the first time with a family that I met with recently. The parents seemed great, but the 2 year old boy seemed very hyper and all over the place (I'm not sure if that's how he is or if he was just excited to be in a new place).

    What questions would you ask his former daycare provider?

    **Also, the parents told me they are looking for a new daycare because his current provider is overwhelmed with the amount of children she is caring for, so has decided to let them go (because they are part-time).
    I have. But I wouldn't do it again and here is my reasons why....

    I have a 2 week trial policy. ANY issues usually appear within the first two weeks. I can "cure" "curb" or "cut" anything I choose to at that point.

    I also have policies in place that protect me and my business. Anything a parent did or said etc with a previous provider is not my issue/concern. I set up policies that work for me, protect my business and my income. My policies also outline what things I expect and what parents should expect. That's unique to each relationship....

    Which brings me to the last thing... the relationship I have with a family is mine and mine alone. No two people/families have the same relationship and how I manage or don't manage certain behaviors is on me, not based on how the past or previous provider did it, saw it or managed it.

    I don't care if they paid on time, scheduled on time or followed the providers rules or not. NOT my concern or my business.

    I ONLY care about how they do those thing when enrolled in my program. My policies will show me that within the first two weeks and if not, I have policies that allow me to term immediately so again...nothing to do with the previous provider.

    So no, I would not call. Personally, I view it as unprofessional and just not something I think should be common practice for providers. Just MY two cents....

    Comment

    • Fiddlesticks
      Daycare.com Member
      • Apr 2015
      • 162

      #3
      I don't. For the reasons Blackcat said, but also because when I was a teacher I did not want to have preconceived notions about a child's behavior. Every year should be a fresh start, I didn't want to be prejudiced about their behavior. It is only natural when you know a child has been a problem in the past to keep a closer watch on little behaviors that you would let slide with another child. Let the boy have a blank slate with you.

      Comment

      • midaycare
        Daycare.com Member
        • Jan 2014
        • 5658

        #4
        I haven't called and wouldn't. There is just a weird factor to it. Plus everyone has a different style. I've had a few kids who I could tell during interviews wouldn't work out here, but they would do great somewhere else.

        Comment

        • laundrymom
          Advanced Daycare.com Member
          • Nov 2010
          • 4177

          #5
          I don't call. But I do send my teen daughters into cyber world to creep on people sometimes. I don't instachat and they are better recon than a PI. Lol

          Comment

          • Gemma
            Childcare Provider
            • Mar 2015
            • 1277

            #6
            Originally posted by Blackcat31
            I set up policies that work for me, protect my business and my income. My policies also outline what things I expect and what parents should expect. That's unique to each relationship....
            I would never call because of that^
            ...besides ...when people part ways there are always 2 sides of the story..I could I be sure who's telling the truth ?

            Comment

            • daycarediva
              Daycare.com Member
              • Jul 2012
              • 11698

              #7
              Originally posted by Fiddlesticks
              I don't. For the reasons Blackcat said, but also because when I was a teacher I did not want to have preconceived notions about a child's behavior. Every year should be a fresh start, I didn't want to be prejudiced about their behavior. It is only natural when you know a child has been a problem in the past to keep a closer watch on little behaviors that you would let slide with another child. Let the boy have a blank slate with you.
              Yes. I have been known to take the kids who haven't done well/been kicked out of other places. They do well here. Most issues are environment/teacher, imho.

              Comment

              • Unregistered

                #8
                I would, because every time I've had a child from another provider it's been a problem. Also, I want to know if they're really leaving or being kicked out. I also do it to give the provider, center or private, a heads up. I'll never forget I had one parent who happy happy joy joy. I was totally blindsided when a center called me for a reference.

                Comment

                • Unregistered

                  #9
                  Originally posted by daycarediva
                  Yes. I have been known to take the kids who haven't done well/been kicked out of other places. They do well here. Most issues are environment/teacher, imho.
                  I don't really like this as a solution, though. What are they going to do when they get older and realize you can't always pick your boss and/or location?

                  Comment

                  • AmyKidsCo
                    Daycare.com Member
                    • Mar 2013
                    • 3786

                    #10
                    I have a place on my Enrollment Application for previous child care center and contact person's info. I put it there in case I got a weird vibe, and to remind parents that they're applying for an opening - it's not automatic if they decide they want to enroll. But so far I've never called anyone.

                    Comment

                    • Blackcat31
                      • Oct 2010
                      • 36124

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered
                      I would, because every time I've had a child from another provider it's been a problem. Also, I want to know if they're really leaving or being kicked out. I also do it to give the provider, center or private, a heads up. I'll never forget I had one parent who happy happy joy joy. I was totally blindsided when a center called me for a reference.
                      So if you called and found out a child was kicked out of their previous daycare you would not enroll them then?
                      What is the reason you tell parents?

                      I am also not understanding how the issues or problems other providers had with a child help or influence your ability to manage a child?

                      I think that reflects on your ability or inability to manage behavior issues.

                      As for giving or getting a "head's up" that a family is leaving, don't you have a withdrawal or termination notice policy? If so, that should address that issue without having to discuss anything with a previous provider.

                      Comment

                      • laundrymom
                        Advanced Daycare.com Member
                        • Nov 2010
                        • 4177

                        #12
                        I agree w BC.
                        I am less concerned w a child's behavior (which I can normally modify if needed) than a parents personality. Which is why I send the teens into insta gram and twitt er and FB for recon if I have any red flags.
                        Originally posted by Blackcat31
                        So if you called and found out a child was kicked out of their previous daycare you would not enroll them then?
                        What is the reason you tell parents?

                        I am also not understanding how the issues or problems other providers had with a child help or influence your ability to manage a child?

                        I think that reflects on your ability or inability to manage behavior issues.

                        As for giving or getting a "head's up" that a family is leaving, don't you have a withdrawal or termination notice policy? If so, that should address that issue without having to discuss anything with a previous provider.

                        Comment

                        • Cat Herder
                          Advanced Daycare.com Member
                          • Dec 2010
                          • 13744

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered
                          I don't really like this as a solution, though. What are they going to do when they get older and realize you can't always pick your boss and/or location?
                          I have never found that to be true in life. Most parents I know made a few sacrifices to find a good educational fit for their kids into young adulthood.

                          Young people are no longer taught that they are anchored to locations, their futures are not bound to borders. I love that.

                          I, myself, have changed career paths to meet my familys changing needs. Life is dynamic, I teach the kids that.
                          - Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.

                          Comment

                          • Cat Herder
                            Advanced Daycare.com Member
                            • Dec 2010
                            • 13744

                            #14
                            Originally posted by LeslieG
                            Have any of you called a child's former daycare provider before decided to enroll them in your daycare?

                            What questions would you ask his former daycare provider?
                            Yes I have.

                            I ask about parents payment and compliance history.

                            I ask if they would be willing to provide back-up care.

                            I ask if they would like for me to give out their info to callers when I have no openings.
                            - Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.

                            Comment

                            • Ariana
                              Advanced Daycare.com Member
                              • Jun 2011
                              • 8969

                              #15
                              I don't because like BlackCat said this is a clean slate for me and any behavioral issues are going to come up in my 6 week trial period anyway. Other providers are just different than I am and I know some of them personally. Some of their issues are not even on my radar as being issues so I don't necessarily trust another providers perspective for my business.

                              I also feel that when I involve another provider it now becomes their business and if I keep the family it can create animosity with that other provider. I once had a provider warn me about a family because they saw me respond to a FB ad. When they came I felt like my judgment was coloured by their remarks and I also felt like I couldn't take them.

                              Comment

                              Working...