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So I interviewed a couple weeks ago for an infant and thought things went well. A couple days later the mom informed me that they decided to go with another daycare, but would like to keep us as an option when there daughter got older. I told her she was more than welcome to check back in the future to see if we had availability. Well yesterday she messaged me saying that she would feel more comfortable leaving her daughter in our care, but the only problem she had was with our car seat policy. She said sometimes her husband may want to pickup and would need it. She asked if we were set on it and could we work something out. I told her we don't allow them to be left for liability reasons and don't have room to store them. I was just surprised that she would let something like that from keeping her from putting her child in a daycare she felt more comfortable with. We charge on average $30-$50 less for infant care in our area. The amount she is saving she could easily go out and buy another one. Her and her husband earn a decent living so I don't think money is an issue. I offered to let her keep it on the front porch and put a bag over it to protect it, but may have her sign something to say we won't be held liable for any damages or loss. This was yesterday morning, and I haven't heard back. Have any of you with a similar policy had anyone decide not to use your daycare because of it???
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IMO if that little policy which shouldnt be a big deal, is a big deal for them...how many other policies of yours are they going to have a problem with someday?
New carseat at walmart is $50. You shouldnt have to accomodate, they can figure it out. Even on the porch it is still a liability- someone could easily take it. -
I feel like even offering for her to keep it on the porch broke your own policy and you should not have even offered that.. signed form or not. Either have the policy or don’t. Now if they accept they see that whining about things can get you to bend policy and I’m sure they will have push back on other things. Just my opinion.Comment
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Waivers won't protect you.
I have a no car seats on property rule because should the parent install the seat incorrectly from my house and have an accident, I do not want to be held liable in ANY way so the car seat getting wet or dirty while sitting on the front step is the least of my worries.
I tell parents I don't take the car seat training class and therefore have NOTHING to do with car seats. This includes storage and exchanging. I want NOTHING to do with the car seats.
If this parent truly wants to enroll in your care she'll figure it out. If not, don't bend or waive a policy for her in the beginning as you'll end up having to waive, alter or amend them all every time she doesn't like one of them.Comment
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You both have made some good points. I kind of regretted it after I offered to let her keep it on the porch. It's a new policy I put in place just a few months ago, and this is the first time I've had anyone have a problem with it. I agree she could end up asking me to bend other policies we have in place too. Thanks for the advice.Comment
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Yes, parents remove the child from the seat while AT the car.
Seats are never brought into my facility and remain in the car.
I've never had a single parent have issues with this. Including those with infants. All my parents seem to understand my reasoning and have never complained or said anything about that being difficult to manage or do.
I would just email this mom back and let her know you did some research and you are finding that for liability reasons and to protect yourself you simply cannot allow the car seat to be left on site. period.
You don't really have to explain other than saying it's a liability thing that is for YOUR (the provider's) protection.
Parents don't ever get to expect me to risk myself or my business for their best interests.
I am the only one looking out for me so that rule is non-negotiable.Comment
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There is only one valid reason I’ve ever hear for parents not wanting a seat in their car, thus not having two.
My ex husband was a correctional officer. All of the officers kept the interiors of their car as sparse as possible because inmates who were released walked through that parking lot to leave. They didn’t want to advertise that they had children, or anything that an inmate might use.
I never got it really, because our community is so small that you can’t go grocery shopping without running into an ex inmate and being recognized so it’s not like they weren’t going to know he had kids after seeing him out and about...and most of them were repeat offenders. :P
I supposed if he drives a company car that could be an issue as well.
However, that was the thinking....
That does NOT mean that you should change your policies. It just might mean, should have have a valid reason for not having one in his car, that you aren’t the place for them.Comment
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Beyond what was already stated, which is all awesome advice, I wanted to say that with any new client, you want to set the stage of what's expected.
You have policies for a reason. When you compromise with a new client within the first few months (or before enrolling), then you have now set the precedence for them to think they are in control. They will push every policy that doesn't suit them.Comment
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After my lice invasion last spring I don't allow any car seats/ diaper bags etc in my house. I have been trying to find a case where a daycare provider was liable if a child was not put in a seat properly. Not arguing the fact, but was just curious. I mean even if they don't take the seat out, they could put them in and not restrain them properly, wouldn't that be the same thing? I totally understand if 'we' put them in the seat, but there are alot of ways to improperly have a child in a seat.Comment
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My liability insurance doesn't want them on my property. Mainly because the children could damage the chair while it's in my house, then posing a danger to the owner's child when reinstalled. So, in my case, it's not so much that they wouldn't be reinstalled properly but damaged and deemed unsafe while on my property.Comment
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I had a parent willing to pay me extra for extra time needed to exchange cars before pickup. They could have taken the money they paid me and bought 20 car seats. So dumb but it’s mostly about control.
Why else would they make these stupid decisions!!Comment
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You all have given me a lot to consider if this happens again. I only have one infant right now that uses a car seat that the mom brings in at pickup and drop off, and then takes with her when she leaves. I don't have a policy against this. I asked her a couple weeks ago if it would be easier if she took him out or put him in it while still in the car, and she said no it's easier to do it in the house. Now I'm wondering if I should have it in my policy that car seats remain in the vehicle. On one hand if they do it in my house I can make sure the child is restrained properly, but on the other hand what if it's not inserted back in properly and she gets in a wreck? Can I actually be held liable if it's not installed back in the right way? Maybe I can just say my insurance does not allow them in the house at all, even at drop off and pickup?Comment
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