I Strongly Dislike Starting New Families :|

[Pandaluver21]

New families first day today. Parents did not follow a single rule. Kid was rough, but that I can work with, and was actually better by the end of class. (4hr morning preschool class)
Parent came for drop off 10 minutes early. Continually knocked and rang bell until I finally went and opened the door and explained why I wasn't answering. (My current procedures say you arrive AT 8:30 and wait until the door is open for kids to enter, no knocking or ringing necessary)
Supply list states FULL change of clothing, as well as a backpack big enough for their weekly folder. I got a shirt and pants in a walmart bag :|
All paperwork states snack and lunch is provided, and NO outside food allowed. I was asked multiple times if they were needing to bring snack.
My Covid policy's state nobody is allowed inside and masks are required at drop off/pick up. Both parents at both drop off and pickup did not wear a mask, and dad tried to come in at drop off after I asked child to take her shoes off (He was going to do it for her :|)
Mom came to pick up about 10 minutes early. Neither parent had the Daily connect app on their phones (I have this as my touch-less check in. They can scan QR code and all covid questions are answered on the phone instead of my tablet) They had to put in 4 digit pin, click sign in, answer covid questions and then sign. They were annoyed with how long this took...

So I need opinions. Do I keep going with this family or is it doomed from the beginning? Like I said, I can deal with the kid not following rules, but the parents are harder to deal with

[Gemma]

If they're so disrespectful already on their first day, there is little to no chance that they will turn around completely and become a great fit.
You could address your issues with them and give them a warning, personally I would tell them it is not working out before things get any worse.

[Gemma]

, I can deal with the kid not following rules, but the parents are harder to deal with

I can work with just about any behavior problem a kid might have, but if the parents are not onboard, I'm done!

[Cat Herder]

I would charge the $10 early drop-off fee and tell them they have one more day to get it together. They needed to go home and read their contract. If they felt it would not work for them, they needed to find another provider.

I don't do the masks, book bags, early pick-up (unless during nap) or COVID questions, so have no advice on those. :hug:

Go with your gut, if they are not on board by Friday I'd let them go.

[Blackcat31]

I would tell them the issues in regards to the first day and then give them the second day to fix the issues.

If they ignore and you have to repeat what you said yesterday, then I'd be out.
But if they are quick to correct, there is potential.

I feel ya, I just had to have a convo with a DCM about stuffies and toys from home for the 3rd time. She corrected the issue the first week, then second week it was one day and a gentle reminder and now the third week we are on the third day of bringing a different stuffie. Nope.

I agree.....I dislike starting new families too!

[Cat Herder]

I have one long term client that is like living 50 First Dates.

Been here three years yet every No is met with "I did not know that.", "This is new." or "but last time." In messages only, never to my face.

I literally just resend the previous emails/messages to include her comments each time. She retreats. DCD laughs and shakes his head at pick-ups. Life goes on.

[Blackcat31]

I have one long term client that is like living 50 First Dates.

Been here three years yet every No is met with "I did not know that.", "This is new." or "but last time." In messages only, never to my face.

I literally just resend the previous emails/messages to include her comments each time. She retreats. DCD laughs and shakes his head at pick-ups. Life goes on.

I am pretty sure I have her sister.

I always follow up with screen shots of the previous texts or emails and still I hear "oh, is this new?" at least once per month. ::

Sooooo lucky I love their kid!

[Cat Herder]

I am pretty sure I have her sister.

I always follow up with screen shots of the previous texts or emails and still I hear "oh, is this new?" at least once per month. ::

Sooooo lucky I love their kid!

Same. That and you can tell she genuinely does not remember. She is always apologetic and quick to step back in line.

[Rockgirl]

I am pretty sure I have her sister.

I always follow up with screen shots of the previous texts or emails and still I hear "oh, is this new?" at least once per month. ::

Sooooo lucky I love their kid!

I have a dcd just like this! It mostly involves my holidays. I’ve given him 3 separate copies of my holiday schedule, and they’ve been here two years, so should know by now. Nope....Friday of Labor Day weekend, I said, “See you Tuesday!” He stopped in his tracks and said, “You’re closed Monday?” I said, “Yes, for Labor Day.” He put his hands up and said, “Didn’t know.”

[springv]

Oh my gosh, That's totally disrespectful and very uncalled for. If I were the provider I would terminate

[Pandaluver21]

I can work with just about any behavior problem a kid might have, but if the parents are not onboard, I'm done!

Yes exactly! The kid wasn't perfect and I literally had to be on her ALL day, but she is turning 3 this month and has never been in any structured setting. (plus is the youngest with two brothers quite a bit older than her) HOWEVER, by the end of the class we were already making progress!

I would charge the $10 early drop-off fee

I have a late pickup fee, but not early drop off... I have never had to add it because I just don't open the door until 8:30...

I would tell them the issues in regards to the first day and then give them the second day to fix the issues.

I feel ya, I just had to have a convo with a DCM about stuffies and toys from home for the 3rd time. She corrected the issue the first week, then second week it was one day and a gentle reminder and now the third week we are on the third day of bringing a different stuffie. Nope.

I agree.....I dislike starting new families too!

Yes, what is the deal?!? It's like they think if they keep asking we'll change our mind. Oh.. .THAT's where their kids get it ...

I have one long term client that is like living 50 First Dates.

:: Yep, this parent asked "do I bring snack" I responded saying that information is in the welcome packet. I handed her the welcome packet the next day, about an hour later she messages me and asks "do I bring snack?" ... :confused:

Oh my gosh, That's totally disrespectful and very uncalled for. If I were the provider I would terminate

They very much do the "you're our babysitter" type attitude


*A little more back story. We are a preschool only program, this child attends 4hours a day two days a week. They started Tuesday and will be here again on Thursday.
I addressed Early drop to dad
I addressed the lack of backpack
I addressed Covid procedures (with a letter to sign and return)
I stated several times that clocking in/out would be MUCH smoother if they downloaded that app, and that that was the ONLY way I would be communicating with them from now on.
I did not address early pick up because I was happy to let said child leave a little early :P
I guess we'll see how Thursday goes
I have felt a little weird about this family from the get go. They are a "friend of a friend" kind of thing. I usually can tell if a famly will last, hopefully they prove me wrong :P

[AmyKidsCo]

I'd give them a couple of weeks, since it's just 2 days/week. If they don't make any effort then terminate.

[Alwaysgreener]

New families first day today. Parents did not follow a single rule. Kid was rough, but that I can work with, and was actually better by the end of class. (4hr morning preschool class)
Parent came for drop off 10 minutes early. Continually knocked and rang bell until I finally went and opened the door and explained why I wasn't answering. (My current procedures say you arrive AT 8:30 and wait until the door is open for kids to enter, no knocking or ringing necessary)
Supply list states FULL change of clothing, as well as a backpack big enough for their weekly folder. I got a shirt and pants in a walmart bag :|
All paperwork states snack and lunch is provided, and NO outside food allowed. I was asked multiple times if they were needing to bring snack.
My Covid policy's state nobody is allowed inside and masks are required at drop off/pick up. Both parents at both drop off and pickup did not wear a mask, and dad tried to come in at drop off after I asked child to take her shoes off (He was going to do it for her :|)
Mom came to pick up about 10 minutes early. Neither parent had the Daily connect app on their phones (I have this as my touch-less check in. They can scan QR code and all covid questions are answered on the phone instead of my tablet) They had to put in 4 digit pin, click sign in, answer covid questions and then sign. They were annoyed with how long this took...

So I need opinions. Do I keep going with this family or is it doomed from the beginning? Like I said, I can deal with the kid not following rules, but the parents are harder to deal with

Wow - I think I had their relative last year.
They said they needed care at 7:30, but since dcm had not found a job she did not bring the child until 9, came to my front door vs dc entrance. We discussed that when she needed 7:30 I would be available but until then I would not expect them until 9. When they arrived, I asked for supplies and dcm went out to the car and brought in a bag of Junk. Proceed to pull everything out until she found a complete spare outfit for DCG. Insisted that DCG needed x toy and even when dcg was off playing, she proceeds to set the toy down when I was not looking. (Even after I
said, DCM, I have x toy, she can just play with mine.)

Then one day out of the blue DCD drops off at 7:30, I was still in bed up because my other family was not coming that day. DCM had just gotten a job and never let me know.

FFW-- DCM comments that they should know soon if she will get into preschool, since she did not say any more to me about the preschool schedule, one could assume that preschool would be on days that she did not attend dc. (But I knew better) So I was not shocked when the first day of preschool rolled around and they did not show. I was shocked to get an angry call from dcd claiming it was my fault dcg was sick (and sent home from DC) when I had been on vacation for 2 weeks before preschool had started and no kids in my care were sick.

I knew it would not be a long relationship but at the time I was short on enrollments after having DS, so I keep them. Looking back, I should have followed up with them about preschool and asked for an end date.

So you could give it a week and if you are not feeling it, term sooner than later.

[Pandaluver21]

Well today drop off was no better. No mask, no backpack, and did not return the weekly folder that I sent home on Tuesday. (it literally says on it, bring back Thursday and mom said "oh this is our back and fourth" when I handed it to her...)
At least he did get here at the right time today, so I guess that's a step in the right direction.
I'm feeling like they have no intention of following our policy's, which is a bummer. I am writing a note to send home that asks to re-read over our papers and to follow all procedures. Should I re write the specific ones they are breaking, or just ask them to read over it again? I feel like writing them all out AGAIN is just babying them... I teach kids, I shouldn't have to be teaching the adults...

This is what I have so far. Should I say "follow them or you will not be allowed back"
Also, they have paid through the end of the month. I did let them know if with-in the first week they wanted to leave for any reason, they would be refunded, but said nothing about if I had to ask them to leave...

We are happy to have _________ join us, and she is already learning our routine and doing great! We want to make sure we are all on the same page, as to make everything go smoothly.
Please read over our handbook, Covid policy’s and welcome packet and make sure you are familiar with our routines and requirements. I ask that all policies and procedures be followed, please feel free to ask any questions if there is something you may not understand. I am happy to make copies of any paperwork you hand in as well.

[Cat Herder]

Did you discuss it face to face at drop-off and make it clear that today was their last chance? Verbally?