I'm Pretty Sure This Isn't True....

[youretooloud]

But, I had a new mom come today, and she tried my door. I had locked it, since they were very late, and I assumed she was a no show.

I always keep the door unlocked during drop off and pick up. But, after 9:00, I lock it.

She tried to tell me "I have been working with licensing for years, and open door means you leave the door open at all times". I actually laughed at her.

I told her "open door" means you can come over and see your child when ever you like, but I'll open the door FOR you. It doesn't mean I leave my door unlocked at all times.

She was extremely rude to me in front of the kids, so I termed her on the spot, and they left.

I bet she was one of those moms who wants to stay home, and now she can go home and say to her husband "I tried, but the lady is crazy and wouldn't even let me in! So, I'm just going to be a stay at home mom".

She didn't even seem like she was remotely serious when she was arguing with me... it was like she wanted to pick any fight she could so I'd tell her to leave.

[Cat Herder]

Are you ready for a visit?

[Michelle]

Are you ready for a visit?

Exactly what I was thinking.... these kind of moms are very vindictive
The way I deal with this kind of situation is, I just tell the mom, Yes, I always keep the door locked for the protection of the kids and myself.
Hopefully she will just go home and chill out and not call.

[Meeko]

You are right. Open door policy means parents can come visit any time they wish. But you do NOT have to have your doors unlocked.

I would call your licensing dept. and tell them what happened and that you termed her.

That way...when she calls them to tell them you bit her child four times, hit him with a belt and hung him up by his toes from a tree in the back yard and threw rocks at him.......they will know the truth. My licensor told me she has heard some real doozies of stories over the years. She told me that only a handful of the complaints they receive are legit..... sadly, about 90% of the complaint calls are not truthful and they are made because the parent has been termed over non-payment, behavior etc.

[youretooloud]

Are you ready for a visit?

I'm not licensed and it's not illegal. So, she can send anyone she wants, but they can't do anything.

[AnneCordelia]

My policy is the same as yours....come anytime your child is in care and I'll be happy to open the door for you. I always explain this in full at the interview.

She sounds like a particularly fun case of crazy...how did she get by the screening? LOL!

[AnythingsPossible]

In my state open door policy requires that doors remain unlocked at all times. Fire code requires this as well. I don't like it, but it is the way our rules read.

[sharlan]

I have never heard that you have to have your door unlocked, not here anyways.

Once less crazy parent to deal with.

[Cat Herder]

I'm not licensed and it's not illegal. So, she can send anyone she wants, but they can't do anything.

I agree you are WELL within your rights.....

Remember, I keep my doors locked, have a driveway alarm and one way glass....::::

I am just saying..."Be ready.."

These types of women are vindictive.

[CheekyChick]

In my state open door policy requires that doors remain unlocked at all times. Fire code requires this as well. I don't like it, but it is the way our rules read.

It's the same in Oregon. I have to have one door unlocked at all times. They say it's a matter of allowing emergency personnel (fire/police) access to the house if needed. I don't keep the front or side door open (I have crafty two year olds), but I leave the back door open.

[sharlan]

It's the same in Oregon. I have to have one door unlocked at all times. They say it's a matter of allowing emergency personnel (fire/police) access to the house if needed. I don't keep the front or side door open (I have crafty two year olds), but I leave the back door open.

IMHO, that's silly BECAUSE, in a true emergency, they aren't going to hunt for an unlocked door, they're going to bust in through the first one they come to.

[CheekyChick]

IMHO, that's silly BECAUSE, in a true emergency, they aren't going to hunt for an unlocked door, they're going to bust in through the first one they come to.

I totally agree. I think that's a silly rule. PLUS, I live on a busy street and had to convince my licensor to allow me to keep the back door unlocked, instead of the front door. There is NO way I would feel safe having my front door unlocked with 2 and 3 year olds.

[Cat Herder]

IMHO, that's silly BECAUSE, in a true emergency, they aren't going to hunt for an unlocked door, they're going to bust in through the first one they come to.

True.... I have seen me do it. ::::

[youretooloud]

The dad just called and said "She was there at 7:30 and you wouldn't let her in".

I said "the door was unlocked at 7:30, and I had a whole group coming in between 7:15 and 8:00....so, she wasn't here until after 9:30".

He claims she's done this before, apologized to me, and said "we'll just leave things the way they are, I'm sorry it didn't work out".

Like I was going to say "Oh, sure, let's try this again". LOL.

[youretooloud]

WOW! Apparently, this same woman just called my best friend who does childcare in my neighborhood. SHe asked what she charges, and if she had any openings, and told her she just had a bad experience with a lady in the neighborhood.

Of course I'd already told my friend all about it, so she wasn't falling for it.

Too bad too, she has two openings, and this boy would fit into the group if mom wasn't kinda psycho.