Socks and Shoes

[KayB]

I have had the policy that shoes and socks must be worn for daycare whenever they are here. It's been my policy for the 25 years I have had daycare. I do it for safety and sanitary reasons.
I had a new family start about a month ago and she wore shoes without socks a couple of weeks ago. I reminded dad that socks were required, his responds was ok. Well today her mom texted me and asked if wearing socks was required and I said yes. Than she reply so in the summer she can't wear socks? I replied back she could if she had socks on. Her reply back was Hmm.... well I'm not sure how I feel about that. I replied that it's been my policy for the 25 years I have had a daycare and have actually never had a parent say they didn't like it ...
This was 3 hours ago and I have yet to hear anything back from her. My question is should I say anything more about it or just let her bring it up?
This mother is very dry, never smiles never has any excitement in her voice or attitude so that's why I am having a hard time reading her and knowing what to say and not to say! Any suggestions!?

[Cat Herder]

She may be curious about outdoor sandals and water play for spring and summer.

I have them send in closed toed sneakers and socks and I provide water shoes (crocs) to make this confusion easier for parents to relate. ::

[Snowmom]

Ask her what her concerns are.

I have the same policy and I've had people question it too. My response is that I require socks in all seasons to protect your child. I don't do sandals or crocs here, only closed toe running shoes. There are also many viruses that thrive on little toes. Socks help to keep feet healthy within the group.

[Cat Herder]

What do you have the kids wear for playing in sprinklers, puddles or with water/sand tables?

[KayB]

Ask her what her concerns are.

I have the same policy and I've had people question it too. My response is that I require socks in all seasons to protect your child. I don't do sandals or crocs here, only closed toe running shoes. There are also many viruses that thrive on little toes. Socks help to keep feet healthy within the group.

Exactly my reasons!

[KayB]

What do you have the kids wear for playing in sprinklers, puddles or with water/sand tables?

When we do water days they can wear water shoes or crocs.

[Cat Herder]

When we do water days they can wear water shoes or crocs.

My guess is that is what she may be asking, just poorly.

[KayB]

My guess is that is what she may be asking, just poorly.

Should I text her back after 4 hours and say that or let it go?

[Cat Herder]

Should I text her back after 4 hours and say that or let it go?

I'd probably email it "Hey DCM, Just finished getting everyone down for nap and wanted to quickly touch base about shoes... "

The longer you wait the longer her co-workers will have to voice their opinions "armchair quarterback style". ::

"I'm not sure how I feel about that" from an otherwise good client is code for a quick resolution to me.

[sharlan]

If that's your policy, then she needs to follow it.

My kids are almost always barefoot. My little guy comes in carrying his shoes. He takes dcg's shoes and socks off asap. I put them back on just before pick up time.

[KayB]

I'd probably email it "Hey DCM, Just finished getting everyone down for nap and wanted to quickly touch base about shoes... "

The longer you wait the longer her co-workers will have to voice their opinions "armchair quarterback style". ::

"I'm not sure how I feel about that" from an otherwise good client is code for a quick resolution to me.

Ok I texted her back and asked her what her concerns might be?

Mom: Do you take off their shoes at all during the day> Except for maybe diaper changes?

Me: Yes, when we are doing certain activities we do.

Mom: Is it for naps or something?

Me: We take them off when we play certain games or do an art activity, May I ask why you're concerned about this?

Mom: It just bothered me a little bit because we've never experienced that from a daycare or anything.

Me: We do it for safety and sanitary reasons. Those little toes can pick up the yuckiest stuff and can get hurt outside running. Each daycare have their own policy and procedures along with what the state requires us to do. Is this something that is a major concern for you? We do this to protect your child and nothing else.

Mom:

Did I handle this right!? Should I have said something different? I haven't gotten a responds yet :confused:

[KayB]

If that's your policy, then she needs to follow it.

My kids are almost always barefoot. My little guy comes in carrying his shoes. He takes dcg's shoes and socks off asap. I put them back on just before pick up time.

[Cat Herder]

I'd mention the spread of foot fungus from child to child, she may not get what you are saying. I have one DCM I practically have to give a photo menu to about everything. :: :hug:

She may be more concerned with sweaty feet causing odor and discomfort rather than cotton socks reducing the spread of the fungus from person to person. She is maybe wanting the childs feet to air dry during nap. Some also believe that wearing shoes damages children's feet.

Not enough people seem to know that wearing the same pair of shoes everyday is a bad idea (they should be allowed to dry 24 hours, alternated) and socks minimize the risk.

[storybookending]

I’ve also found that taking off your shoes in the house or keeping them on seems to be a regional thing. No one where I’m from keeps shoes on in the house but when a friend of mine and I went on vacation I’m colllege we took our shoes off in the home we were staying at and we got laughed at.

[Meeko]

All these parents who expect the exact same policies at every place

My kids all take their shoes off and leave them in the entry. I would rather they kept them on, honestly (it's a pain in the afternoons)... but I do it because I have carpet and we live in Utah. I don't want wet, muddy, snowy footprints throughout my house! My kids need to play on clean floors. If I had wood floors, I wouldn't bother so much.