Parents Observing Before Enrolling...

[MsMe]

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.

I find this kinda odd why would visiting the daycare room not be allowed? Kids do get a little excited but the daycare parents really are not strangers anymore and are generaly ignored.

I have visited all of the area preschool for my CDA work. One preschool has a parent provided snack each day. The parent(s) stay for the whole three hours are involved and interact wtih each activity. This was by far the best run program and after a couple of "who are you" "what are you writting" they moved on and left me alone.

[Blackcat31]

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

Same way here too.

Mine come in and check the place out and ask whatever questions they have but after they enroll, they come into the coat room and hand their child over the gate (if still held) or the child comes through the gate themselves, but after interview, no one ever goes past the gate....well, every once in a blue moon a parent will ask to use the rest room but it has only happened a few times in 16+ years so.....

In my case, I think it is just the way the entry is set up and the fact that I do NOT allow shoes beyond that area either. I also have a small house so I think it is just simply easier to take the child's stuff off, hang it in the cubby space and kiss them goodbye and go...and at pick up the reverse.

[MsMe]

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?

When I first opened my program parents that did not ask to come and observe were the ones who didn't return paperwork ontime, late payments, forgot to send snowplay/swimming clothes, ignored supply requests, hard to communicate with, and generaly not involved with their childs care. I have had observation interviews with all of my current parents and I rarely have troubles with parents. I am not saying it is a rule set in stone and I am sure your families are wonderful. This is just what works for me.

[MsMe]

Same way here too.

Mine come in and check the place out and ask whatever questions they have but after they enroll, they come into the coat room and hand their child over the gate (if still held) or the child comes through the gate themselves, but after interview, no one ever goes past the gate....well, every once in a blue moon a parent will ask to use the rest room but it has only happened a few times in 16+ years so.....

In my case, I think it is just the way the entry is set up and the fact that I do NOT allow shoes beyond that area either. I also have a small house so I think it is just simply easier to take the child's stuff off, hang it in the cubby space and kiss them goodbye and go...and at pick up the reverse.

If we are in the house at the end of the day we go on about what we are doing and Mom/Dad come to us. I continue activies untill the last child is gone and if I stoppped everytime a parent came to the door I would have 10 kids running around with nothing to do. They come in and remove their child from storytime/musical chairs/play-doh. Most times we chat a few minutes about the childs day while they finish what they are doing.

[Blackcat31]

If we are in the house at the end of the day we go on about what we are doing and Mom/Dad come to us. I continue activies untill the last child is gone and if I stoppped everytime a parent came to the door I would have 10 kids running around with nothing to do. They come in and remove their child from storytime/musical chairs/play-doh. Most times we chat a few minutes about the childs day while they finish what they are doing.

That is a good example of how set-up plays a big role in the behaviors of your kids and your parents. I am starting to really appreciate how my house is laid out after reading all these posts because my main kitchen/eating area is the center of the house with the entryway off to one side and all three other play rooms directly off the main area so I can supervise all the activities all from one central area while saying hello to each parent. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24391 I can stand right inside the white 1/2 door and see every room clearly.

I also wrap up any activites that are too complex before 4:00 since no one starts picking up until then and if we are in the middle of something then a kid never wants to leave and I hate having to go through the whole routine of convincing a child that it is time to go.....

[nannyde]

When I first opened my program parents that did not ask to come and observe were the ones who didn't return paperwork ontime, late payments, forgot to send snowplay/swimming clothes, ignored supply requests, hard to communicate with, and generaly not involved with their childs care. I have had observation interviews with all of my current parents and I rarely have troubles with parents. I am not saying it is a rule set in stone and I am sure your families are wonderful. This is just what works for me.

Wow I've never seen that. I've never heard it before either. That's interesting.

[Lucy]

Here is a previous thread on the subject.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27472

[MsMe]

I too love the layout of my home. I choose simple activities that do not require clean up for the end of the day. Just something that keeps us all together and entertained. The parents love coming in and seeing their child hard at work on a clay sculpture, or showing off their favorite dance moves. End of the day story times also give me the perfect oppertunity to let a parent see me reading a book they that have donated or gifted to the daycare

[littlemissmuffet]

I find this kinda odd why would visiting the daycare room not be allowed? Kids do get a little excited but the daycare parents really are not strangers anymore and are generaly ignored.

I have visited all of the area preschool for my CDA work. One preschool has a parent provided snack each day. The parent(s) stay for the whole three hours are involved and interact wtih each activity. This was by far the best run program and after a couple of "who are you" "what are you writting" they moved on and left me alone.

Because, there is absolutely no reason for a parent to come into the daycare room. Their children's coats, shoes, cubbies and any paperwork that needs to be seen/go home is in the entrance. Their welcome to use the washroom, as that is in the entrance way as well, are welcome to grab some water, a tissue, whatever from the kicthen - but they're not coming into the playroom while other children are there... there is no reason for it. That's just how it is here, and all my parents are totally fine with that... I've never even had a parent attempt to enter the playroom.

[littlemissmuffet]

If we are in the house at the end of the day we go on about what we are doing and Mom/Dad come to us. I continue activies untill the last child is gone and if I stoppped everytime a parent came to the door I would have 10 kids running around with nothing to do. They come in and remove their child from storytime/musical chairs/play-doh. Most times we chat a few minutes about the childs day while they finish what they are doing.

My parents all pick up between 4:30 and 5:30 - and that time period here is either outdoor play or free play, so I don't have the issue of parents arriving during structured activities. I assist with getting the kids ready to go and chat with the parents at this time while the other children remain in the playroom... playing If we're outside, they just grab their kid and go.

[MsMe]

My parents all pick up between 4:30 and 5:30 - and that time period here is either outdoor play or free play, so I don't have the issue of parents arriving during structured activities. I assist with getting the kids ready to go and chat with the parents at this time while the other children remain in the playroom... playing If we're outside, they just grab their kid and go.

I love that I found this site and can talk with other providers. I think it is interesting that we prefer to end our days so differently. I do not like the childtren to have free play at the end of the day (too much going on) and prefer the parents to see me interacting with the kids in a structured activity. I also do not help with coats/ shoes at the end of the day. Weather permitting We have outdoor free play at the end of the day...so this really only applies on cold/hot/rainy days.

[Live and Learn]

My clients are all people I know or referred to me by friends or past clients. In seven years I have never been asked to be observed. My dc parents are all "pre-sold" before they come for my interview.

Interesting how widely our experiences vary.

[PitterPatter]

I have never been asked to allow an observation.

I don't think I would allow it simply because there are a lot of weidros out there. If a parent actually enrolls, signs the contract and hands over the notarized Auth form then they are more than welcome to hang out for a hour or so. They can always pull their child out if I don't meet their expectations, that's what the trial period is for.

[ammama]

I allow a second interview during dayhome hours. As a parent, I don't think I would feel comfortable without it, so I always offer it. Only a few families have actually done it, but all of them felt better for it, I know. I don't mind them - my routine is so strong that my kids rarely act up when another adult is here, and I always have a few activities on stand-by to occupy them if they do.

[MsMe]

I have never been asked to allow an observation.

I don't think I would allow it simply because there are a lot of weidros out there. If a parent actually enrolls, signs the contract and hands over the notarized Auth form then they are more than welcome to hang out for a hour or so. They can always pull their child out if I don't meet their expectations, that's what the trial period is for.

I only do observation interviews for families I have met with and would feel comfertable allowing into my program. I am interviewing them as much as they are me. If i felt like they were a 'weirdo' or otherwise unsafe I would not continue the interview process after the first interview that is held after hours.