Parents Observing Before Enrolling...

[SunflowerMama]

Does anyone allow this? I know there were earlier threads that discussed this but can't seem to find them.

To be honest I don't even know if licensing would allow it during operating hours because the adult wouldn't be cleared as a 2nd provider (background check, etc.).

I'm not big on it because the kids never act themselves with other adults around but just wondering what you tell families that ask to do it.

[MN Day Mom]

I don't allow it because of just that reason, they haven't been cleared and any adult that will be spending any time around the children needs to go through the proper channels.

[MsMe]

I allow it as a second interview for up to 1.5 hours excluding lunch/snack times. I would not send my child (if I had one) to a daycare I had not observed w/children present. Children do tend to show off when outsiders come in, but we have a very solid routine and it is never more than asking the new person a lot of questions or wanting to show them all of their favorite things.

[mac60]

I have never been asked, but I would never do allow it because of many of the reasons mentioned above. They are welcome to bring their child for a short 30 minute evening visit with me first.

[nannyde]

No

I don't host visits in the playroom. My dc parents wouldn't like it and my kids would act up the whole time.

I couldn't manage it so I don't offer it.

[cheerfuldom]

no. Once they like what they have seen so far, they are welcome to drop off kiddo for one or two part time days just to see how the kid does. I have even done this for free in the past for a select few families. I don't allow parents to hang around for long periods of time, either they trust me or they don't. My initial trial period is 2 weeks and the parents or I can cancel at any time for any reason. After the two weeks, everything in my contract is firm including termination notice. I am all about routine here so it just doesn't work for me to have people in and out trying on the daycare for size. Plus I know my DC families wouldn't appreciate me interviewing or allowing strangers in the house during DC hours. I know I wouldn't want that either.

[MarinaVanessa]

The responses that say that they wouldn't allow it are intersting to me because I don't think I've ever had a parent not ask me if they could come by and observe. I actually really like to do it. All of the other parents know that I do this (since they have all done it) so that's not a problem.

Of course I hold an initial phone interview (when they call for information), a 1st interview with the parent and the child (I want to see what the family dynamic is like and how the child acts with the parent). This also lets them meet my family. Lastly I hold a short 15-30 minute 3rd interview during daycare hours so that I can see how the child interacts with the other kids. If both the family and I feel that it's right then I start the application paperwork process.

Maybe it's different here in CA but our licensing states that people that are here around the kids on a regular basis need to have background checks. I mean it's not like any of the other parents get background checks either and they're here everyday at least twice . I just make sure to let the potential client know that kids always act up when their parents or new faces are around and so they should expect it.

[mac60]

In 12 years I have never been asked to come observe.

[MissAnn]

Does anyone allow this? I know there were earlier threads that discussed this but can't seem to find them.

To be honest I don't even know if licensing would allow it during operating hours because the adult wouldn't be cleared as a 2nd provider (background check, etc.).

I'm not big on it because the kids never act themselves with other adults around but just wondering what you tell families that ask to do it.

I don't allow it for the first visit, but I allow it for the 2nd visit.....15 mnutes tops. It's hard to supervise when a potention parents has a lot of questions. Also potential kid doesn't know the rules and may have never been in childcare....may take toys and throw them all over the place (yes...speaking form experience)

[MsMe]

The responses that say that they wouldn't allow it are intersting to me because I don't think I've ever had a parent not ask me if they could come by and observe. I actually really like to do it. All of the other parents know that I do this (since they have all done it) so that's not a problem.

Of course I hold an initial phone interview (when they call for information), a 1st interview with the parent and the child (I want to see what the family dynamic is like and how the child acts with the parent). This also lets them meet my family. Lastly I hold a short 15-30 minute 3rd interview during daycare hours so that I can see how the child interacts with the other kids. If both the family and I feel that it's right then I start the application paperwork process.

Maybe it's different here in CA but our licensing states that people that are here around the kids on a regular basis need to have background checks. I mean it's not like any of the other parents get background checks either and they're here everyday at least twice . I just make sure to let the potential client know that kids always act up when their parents or new faces are around and so they should expect it.

I have also always been asked if they are allowed to come and observe. If a parent doesnt ask it is a red flag to me. I have found a pattern of the more questions families ask in the interview the better I get along with the family. I have my first interview after hours on a week night. I make it clear this is the time for questions and the observation interview is not. I would be more than happy to have another phone call or short visit if they wanted to discuss more after the visit.

[daycare]

I have not allowed it, but am starting to think that I will allow for it once enrolled. I have had 3 interviews that went great. All of the families had asked if they could come bring their child to observe my teaching program and to see how their child got along with the other children.

I denied all of the families and none of them enrolled. Only one told me that they will not just leave their child withsome they hardly know, even if it is for an hour. (I offered the family to bring the child for a free hour, before enrolling)

So now I am thinking that if I can get them to enroll at least for a trial period, and stress the NO COMMITMENT for that time frame, I may allow for them to come observe. Our entire realtionship is built on trust and I think that it is normal for some people to not trust a provider right away. Builing the right foundation from the start will build a healtnhy stable realtionship between the family and provider.

After all, this is their child we are talking about. I think that I would want to do the same thing with my child.

[littlemissmuffet]

Nope. Parents never cross my entrance way after the interview process. ::

[MsMe]

Nope. Parents never cross my entrance way after the interview process. ::

are they not allowed or do they just not care to? I only ask because many of my parentst that have 4:00 or before pick up stick around for long periods of time letting their children finish an activity or play outside if it is a nice day. We chat sometimes about their child but mostly just friendly chit chat. I love showing my program off to parents and would be sad if they never saw it.

[littlemissmuffet]

They can come in passed the entry way, they just never do - they know the kids go crazy when an outsider is around and they don't want to create that extra stress. However, I would stop them before they ever got to the daycare room, that's for sure.

[nannyde]

I have also always been asked if they are allowed to come and observe. If a parent doesnt ask it is a red flag to me.

Red flag for what?

I have clients that I have worked for for 3-7 years and they have never asked. I haven't had any problems with them for that long of a time. If not asking to visit the other kids is an indicator of problems... what problems would that be?