Extra people during interviews

I always ask for the parents and potential daycare child to attend interview together, so I can meet the family. Lately I have had people show up with 2 or 3 extra siblings(not needing care) or extra relatives such as grandparents, aunts/uncles etc. Here I am running a 3 ring circus as I try to go over my policies and the kids/relatives are racing around my house, through my personal bedrooms/basement etc. I find this so intrusive and I can't focus properly to even get a sense of the family or get all of my questions out. How do you feel about extra siblings or extended family attending interviews as well? Is there a way to politely ask for the parents and daycare child only? Thanks.

I've never had extended family at the interview....that's just weird, there is no reason for them to be there.
From now on I would try to work it in the initial emails or phone calls something along the lines of "I look forward to meeting you and your child" or something like that. I'm not sure is there is a tactful way of saying that anyone else is not welcome.

Definitely, if they mention anything about bringing extra people, I would politely let them know that the parents and dck is welcome at the interview, but anyone else will have to refrain from coming, as it is just too distracting to the interview itself.

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Originally Posted by Busy ECE mommy

....... politely ask for the parents and daycare child only? Thanks.

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You answered your own question, you have a perfect right to ask this! I've had parents bring their older child for an interview and I ask that they bring something to keep that child occupied because we have a lot to discuss during our business meeting. If you stress that your interview is for business purposes it helps them to realize it will be professionally run, not a free-for-all.

With grandparents and aunts and uncles coming to first interviews I would assume the parents are not confident in their own ability to choose a daycare. Not sure I'd want to deal with such parents on a daily basis. I get that close extended families have other family members that are curious where the child spends so much of their week and wanting to see the daycare...but not at the initial interview. I do wonder if this is more likely to happen with certain cultures? Where they live with grandparents etc.

I have a family in care and the grandma was in town for the week and after the 3rd day of dad doing pick up and saying "grandma is in the car waiting for you" to his 1 yr old I asked him if Grandma would like to come in for pick up the next day to see the daycare. The dad was very happy and said grandma would be thrilled. They knew that bringing her in would be a disruption for the daycare and grandma had been waiting outside. I was very impressed with this...I have no problem with them coming in for a quick peek at pick up...but the fact they didn't just barge in was very much appreciated (they could have asked me themselves though, instead of waiting for me to ask).

Anyways...I've never had more than mom dad and the kids looking for care come and I would find it very distracting and unnecessary. Hopefully I don't run into this but I suppose it is worthwhile to mention it. I do insist that the kids come for the first interviews (and I am happy to have them for the contract reading which is done at a second interview, not the first). I have to work with the child all week...if I can't get through a contract reading with them present then I probably don't want them in my daycare.

I've had one family come with the older sibling and a friend who was the interpreter because the mom didn't speak english and the dad was working. She ended up not coming here because I was too high of a fee for them.

I've had another family that came with mom, child, sister in law, her child and the grandma! It was busy because I do my interviews during the day but it was totally manageable! I tend to be quite bossy though and take charge LOL The grandma and sister in law were very nice and it was a good interview. I'm not sure why they all came but it worked out fine and they are a great family to care for.

If you don't want to meet with a lot of people (which is understandable, I prefer it that way too!) I would just put "I am looking forward to meeting you, your husband/wife and child."

I ask for both parents and the child to be present. Having said that, one mom wanted to bring the grandmother and an aunt, too. I never responded back. NO thank you! This is my home, not a centre.

I don't see the issue with the other children coming to the interview who do not require care. They are part of the same family so should the parent's get a babysitter?? Not something I would be happy having to do. As for grandparents attending, I have had this happen and don't see it as a big problem. It just tells me that the parent either appreciates another perspective and respects their opinion, or they are nervous and overwhelmed at searching for daycare. I don't think it is a reflection of their ability to parent, and I don't think there's anything wrong with dealing with a family on a day to day basis who may have low confidence issues. They need reassurance and guidance, not discarding as to much trouble to bother with.

The running around through your home though, that's another matter all together and unfortunately and I mean no offence by this, but that is up to you to take control of. The minute a child starts to act up, or family members start roaming your personal space, you really should stop things from escalating at that point. A firm but polite, please do not allow your child to leave this daycare room. How they respond to you then would be a good indication of the type of people they are. A lot of parents don't like to discipline in front of other people for fear of being harshly judged although I think most of us would respect that and see it as a positive thing. If you don't want them to run riot then don't let them and if after one request it doesn't get sorted by the adults present, then it's "interview time is over" as I don't want to deal with any family who doesn't teach their children respect and who don't discipline their children either.