Email Response From Parent that Wants to Tour during DC Hours

[daycare]

Oh, I just interviewed a lady like that 2 months ago! Everything was great at the interview. I thought she might be a good fit until she cancelled our 2nd interview with less than a half hour notice and said she needed more references on top of the 4 I had already given her. Right then I knew it wasn't going to be a good fit! LOL

One of the previous DCP's that she called as a reference was on the phone with her for over an hour and she said she finally asked her what she was looking for in a provider and she couldn't answer the question so the previous DCP said, " If you are looking for Doctor Suess or Mary Poppins, that's probably not the place but if you are looking for a dependable, reliable, inexpensive daycare that your kid will be safe, happy, play, learn, do fun activities and have a structured routine, take them there."::::::

I'd have to say that is a pretty awesome referral in my opinion. Especially after getting torking her off and wasting an hour of her time! ::

I didn't even wait to hear back from her. I filled 1 of the 2 spots I had and told her "Buh, bye". I don't need no crazy mama freako on my hands. I could just see her screaming at me for every little thing I do differently than her. No thanks! ::

Sounds to me like you are better off filling your opening with anyone but them! ::::::

oh wow...just when you think you hear it all..... some people never seem to amaze me... want to pay nothing and have the world. this aint burger king...

Yes I am better off with anyone but this one...........I actually had a voicemail on my cell that some lady called this morning looking for care...I hope its not her.... I have to listen to it again....

[kimsdaycare]

What I would want to say is this:

I have no doubt that yes, you've toured several daycares during open hours, so many that you cannot remember that one of them was mine, and the reason I have revamped my policies to correct my mistake of allowing them any longer.

What I would probably say is this:

In the past my policies would have allowed for what you are requesting but for the safety of myself and the children I care for I now only conduct daytime interviews of the daycare after I have completed reference checks on current and past providers of prospective families that are interested. In a home environment with one caregiver present, there is a much larger liability than there is in a center, where other caregivers are present and available. I have a responsibility to my current clients that their child's safety and well being is my priority.

Should you change your mind, please feel free to e-mail me your list of references and if the space is still available I will contact you to set up a mutually convenient time for a tour when any required checks have been completed.

It certainly sounds like you have looked into many options for childcare, I wish you the best of luck in finally finding the perfect fit for your family.


I know it sounds like I would be entertaining the thought of taking them, but you won't hear from her again. Reference checks scare off all the crazy ones and reference checks are VERY professional

[CdnMumof4]

I have had interviews/tours during daycare hours here, so everyone can get a general feel for each other. I also plan during nap times- simply because we all know that if we actually want to TALK to someone...you can't do that with a room full of babies/toddlers/preschoolers. The second I even pick up a phone I'm "needed" by 3 kids ...at once. So I try to schedule our first meeting while the kids aren't around, and then the parents can get a feel for ME , and then they come and see us in action, they usually come over for a playdate to see how everyone is together, and how I manage the little ones.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Are you a home daycare? Are you there by yourself? If so, I would say that giving tours while you have children in care is not possible, as you would not be able to talk much or answer questions, as the children in your care need your full attention. A tour would divert your attention from the children and this is not safe. Preschools usually have extra staff to watch children as Directors give tours, and since you have no extra staff or a Director, it creates an unsafe situation.

[daycare]

Are you a home daycare? Are you there by yourself? If so, I would say that giving tours while you have children in care is not possible, as you would not be able to talk much or answer questions, as the children in your care need your full attention. A tour would divert your attention from the children and this is not safe. Preschools usually have extra staff to watch children as Directors give tours, and since you have no extra staff or a Director, it creates an unsafe situation.

Sugar.....I did tell her all of those things and that is the reply she gave me...

[Sugar Magnolia]

Sugar.....I did tell her all of those things and that is the reply she gave me...

That's too bad. I run a small center and we do tours while children are here, but only in late afternoons after most children have left. Maybe if you offered to let her observe for a half hour period (of your choosing), and let her know you will not be able to discuss policy, requirements, contracts, etc. Any and all discussions would have to be after hours. But it sounds like she's just not interested. That's so unfortunate. I'm sorry this happened to you

[Country Kids]

If everyone doesn't do interviews during childcare hours how in the world do you do food inspections/state inspections and such? To me I see no difference in the two-both are needing your attention while you have children. I actually had a nice talking to because I had a inspection (unnanounced) one time and had no children here. All my children were running late that day but they wanted to see me in action with an annanounced visit. I tried to explain that everyone was running late but that didn't matter my hours showed I should have children there.

Even when you take parents you don't know who they really are. You could be letting anyone back and forth into your house everyday. Since background checks aren't required how do you know that the sweetest parents in the world aren't really casing your house, the children, etc.

I would rather schedule during the day and have evenings calm for my family.

[daycare]

If everyone doesn't do interviews during childcare hours how in the world do you do food inspections/state inspections and such? To me I see no difference in the two-both are needing your attention while you have children. I actually had a nice talking to because I had a inspection (unnanounced) one time and had no children here. All my children were running late that day but they wanted to see me in action with an annanounced visit. I tried to explain that everyone was running late but that didn't matter my hours showed I should have children there.

Even when you take parents you don't know who they really are. You could be letting anyone back and forth into your house everyday. Since background checks aren't required how do you know that the sweetest parents in the world aren't really casing your house, the children, etc.

I would rather schedule during the day and have evenings calm for my family.

I think thats a huge difference.... people who come to inspect have been cleared by the state with all of the required TB test, fingerprints and etc.

Let me ask you this question....

This situation right here....this lady, from craigslist emails me and wants to come to my house while I have kids here. I don't know her, her REAL intentions, or anything about this person. I don't have an assistant and lord only knows what could go wrong, but trust me I am not going to take any chances. Would you be willing to let a complete stranger into your home that answered an add off of craigs list, especially while you are caring for children?

Just yesterday my food lady came, we ate lunch early and the kids went down early. They were just getting on their mats when she came and knew that i was trying to put the kids down, so she made it quick. She checked what she had to and go out. All of the kids were up, off their mats, trying to see why someone was here. None of them went down for nap until she left.

I get paid to keep these children safe, to watch them and give them my attention. My parents don't pay me to do tours. I think that doing it after hours is only fair. If someone wants to come for 15 min and observe while my husband is home go for it, but they won't get the true feeling of how my program runs. the kids will all be out of crontorl and the parent will see me do nothing but correct the kids a million times. BTDT. Won't do it again

[Country Kids]

Then what do you do with repairmen. I have had times where I need to have repair men/women come in to fix things in my home. Washer/dryer, pipes that backed up, and then oh yes, the heating unit that went out. None of these people will come in the evenings so what do you do then?

[Christian Mother]

I very much like your last post Daycare!! So very true. That is why I won't conduct any interviews to prospective parents until I've first talked to them on the phone and gotten a first feel of needs. Then if they are interested I will set up a time for interviewing at my home daycare after hrs. I have had a couple people ask to observe me while I'm with children and I will have first cleared with all my families and also arranging for my husband to also be home as a extra pair of eyes. I will not conduct interviews early in the day or during nap time. They are always to be done right about pick up time. My parents are generally 15 min late each day. My home is gated so I never have to worry about anyone stopping by unannounced. Each parent has there own keys to get in the gate. Safety is my main priority here. I don't bend my roles. I understand that daycare facilities have diff. rules but this is my biz. and parents are going to have to understand that I place my own rules for everyone's safety they don't have to like it but if they want my care there going to have to understand and except it. Things just run diff. when your at a home daycare or if your at a facility.

[daycare]

that is a great way to word it. This is exactly what I was thinking, but I am not good with words at all. I have a hard time putting them in order. thank you for sharing that. i think that I will steal some of it if its ok. I have made a generic rejection letter for parents asking to tour during DC hours becuase its been happening a lot lately...

[daycare]

Then what do you do with repairmen. I have had times where I need to have repair men/women come in to fix things in my home. Washer/dryer, pipes that backed up, and then oh yes, the heating unit that went out. None of these people will come in the evenings so what do you do then?

I take the kids out to the backyard to play. I have home owners insurance if the person decides to rip me off, or I wait until my husband is home so that he can be there to help me. I also have people come on weekends. If the weather is bad, i will go to the library once the person arrives.

To this day I have NEVER had an adult person step foot in my house while conducting DC. Not saying that I won't ever allow a parent to come and view, but viewing is different than touring and even then it won't happen unless I have a second pair of eyes to help me.

[Unregistered]

She's a good parent

This was my thought too. Preschool and home DC two different worlds. I was also a litle taken back taht someone would actually expect me to conduct a tour with kids around without ever talking to them or meeting them in person first............Sounded creepy to me too.


The red flags for me what Someone else said why touring so many DC??
I sent the reply that littlemissmuffet suggested
Thank you all for your help

Why does she tour so many daycares? From my prespective, she's doing her homework, which makes her a good parent and teacher. In my city, I toured every center here when I was pregnant. I continued to tour every new center that came up to compare and will continue to do so. It's called doing homework and staying up to date. Also, in my area, daycare preschool teachers regularly tour other daycares to share ideas and curriculums, so I'm not surprised if she did that while teaching.