Calling Past Daycare For References...After Starting??

[SunflowerMama]

So I just started a new dck and I've had a few minor red flags already (not with dck though...he's a sweetheart).

Paperwork came back incomplete, had to ask for immunizations, paid deposit late, drop off/pick up time different from what they wrote...haven't met mom yet:confused:.

So anyway I have a 10 day trial period in my contract and I'd love to get info from them on their past childcare to call and just get a quick idea of the family and how things went there.

I have since added it to my paperwork but how do I go back now after the fact and justify calling the past daycare? I want to word it to them to make it sound like it's typical procedure in the 10 day trial period but how do I word it?

Any help would be great. Thanks!!

[Cat Herder]

Paperwork came back incomplete, had to hound for immunizations, paid deposit late, drop off/pick up time different from what they wrote...haven't met mom yet:confused:.!

I would not bother to call at this point. It opens you up for slander since you have already enrolled them.

I would not allow drop-off until I had completed paperwork and all fees due in hand. Enforce your policies and times. If you don't respect you, why should they????

Starting off allowing them to walk on you will only get worse.

Get your backbone quick.

[SuperNinjaMommy]

If I were you I would. There is a reason they were looking for a new daycare and if they are already this wishy washy it probably won't get any better

[SunflowerMama]

I would not bother to call at this point. It opens you up for slander since you have already enrolled them.

I would not allow drop-off until I had completed paperwork and all fees due in hand. Enforce your policies and times. If you don't respect you, why should they????

Starting off allowing them to walk on you will only get worse.

Get your backbone quick.

I was firm with them and made sure I had all completed paperwork before yesterday. It was all due last Friday but took until Sunday to get it and they had asked to extend it to Wednesday. I said no I needed it before he started. So I'm enforcing policy and staying firm but to have to do this from the start makes me a bit concerned.

[SunflowerMama]

If I were you I would. There is a reason they were looking for a new daycare and if they are already this wishy washy it probably won't get any better

They just moved to the area which is why they switched childcares.

[Cat Herder]

I was firm with them and made sure I had all completed paperwork before yesterday. It was all due last Friday but took until Sunday to get it and they had asked to extend it to Wednesday. I said no I needed it before he started. So I'm enforcing policy and staying firm but to have to do this from the start makes me a bit concerned.

THAT is when you have to do it. Same as with their children. Kudos to you for sticking it out. Keep it up.

The human animal has to challenge to come to terms with who is dominant and in charge. ::

Once that is established, life becomes much less stress free for all involved. Only partly kidding.

Simply put, they had their choice of many providers, they chose you.

If they wanted things you do not offer, they should have gone elsewhere.

Trying to force someone to bend to your will is a power thing, not realistic in our field.

[Mom_of_two]

Good job for staying firm!! I would think really hard before the 10 days are up if you want to keep them! I might not. I guess you could always term with notice if such problems keep arising.

I don't see anything wrong with calling the past DC. Asking appropriate questions is not slander. You are protecting yourself. Of course, I would not share any info about the family, just ask past provider and if they decline to share, fine.

[Blackcat31]

Good job for staying firm!! I would think really hard before the 10 days are up if you want to keep them! I might not. I guess you could always term with notice if such problems keep arising.

I don't see anything wrong with calling the past DC. Asking appropriate questions is not slander. You are protecting yourself. Of course, I would not share any info about the family, just ask past provider and if they decline to share, fine.

I've called previous providers before (a long time ago...before backbone ) and found that I never really needed any of their info because sometimes they would tell me a family is horrible and yet the family turned out great for me. I've also had past providers tell me a family was great and everything and then turn out to be a nightmare for me. :confused:

I think in theory, calling could be helpful but I don't do it anymore. I just make a habit now of doing what needs to be done for MY business. I make sure every family is a good fit for me and that I am a good fit for them. I no longer care what issues a past provider had and what issues a parent had with a past provider. I only care about our relationship and how well it works between myself and the family.