Visitors=Chaos! Anyone else?

First off; I have a fabulous group. The other day as a mom arrived for pick-up I was lounging in my chair simply supervising the kids...and I remarked how I almost feel guilty for having the easiest job in the world some days. Her response was beautiful and really made me think "think of how much time you have put into these children to be able to simply supervise". It's true!
So anyway, lately I have had several friends either just pop in, or ask to pop in with their own children who they feel need socialization...on the premise that they will be happy to help me out (it honestly is never a help).
I do say no, when I can because when they do visit it it complete chaos...new children not aware at all of our routines, rules etc....existing daycare children on guard with the newcomers.
My questions:
Should I lighten up?
We are blessed with a shaded, dead end street play space in the mornings...how do I handle the unwanted pop ins? Today, after the pop-in's child whacked one of my DCKs for the 6th time with a children's rake (each time unnoticed by Mom)...I finally started cleaning up, said a goodbye to 'friend' and brought them in (2 hours earlier than usual).

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Originally Posted by Dreamalittledream

First off; I have a fabulous group. The other day as a mom arrived for pick-up I was lounging in my chair simply supervising the kids...and I remarked how I almost feel guilty for having the easiest job in the world some days. Her response was beautiful and really made me think "think of how much time you have put into these children to be able to simply supervise". It's true!
So anyway, lately I have had several friends either just pop in, or ask to pop in with their own children who they feel need socialization...on the premise that they will be happy to help me out (it honestly is never a help).
I do say no, when I can because when they do visit it it complete chaos...new children not aware at all of our routines, rules etc....existing daycare children on guard with the newcomers.
My questions:
Should I lighten up?
We are blessed with a shaded, dead end street play space in the mornings...how do I handle the unwanted pop ins? Today, after the pop-in's child whacked one of my DCKs for the 6th time with a children's rake (each time unnoticed by Mom)...I finally started cleaning up, said a goodbye to 'friend' and brought them in (2 hours earlier than usual).

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I think if you are okay with the friends popping in then so be it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't say anything to them when their child is physically harming one of your daycare kids. If you don't discipline them, then it sends the wrong message to your daycare kids and suddenly all your hard work is undone as they start to test the boundaries with you. For goodness sakes don't be passive about it like you were, say something to your friend or just outright confront the misbehaving child if their mother isn't bothering to do it.

The other thing to consider is how happy your daycare parents would be about someone they do not know spending time with their child. Most of my daycare families over the years have asked who else will be spending time with their child and I think it is a valid concern if it is someone on a regular basis. I understand this is outside of your control when they show up unannounced but I would either be saying no to visitors or informing the parents of what's going on. If a parent shows up unannounced and sees another adult in the company of their child, they may start to ask questions and wonder what else is going on that they don't know about.

I've had friends/family pop by for a visit. My fiancé works evenings so sometimes they pop in to see him too. Thankfully, they all know when it gets chaotic that they have to leave or that they will have to entertain themselves for a bit while I deal with the kids and their behaviour. For the most part, my group has always been pretty well behaved but of course the odd time some feel they need to "put on a show." The only really chaotic time I find is when visitors are here over the lunch period. I just ask that they go upstairs or stay in the playroom while they are eating.

During the day, my home is a business and I have a job to do. I also don't think most parents would appreciate me visiting regularly. Most of my friends live out of town and/or work during the day so it's not an issue usually.

I do interviews during the day with potential new clients when possible so I'm sometimes used to the chaos! Lol

Do what you need to do to keep your business enjoyable and professional :) your friends and family will understand

I hate visitors! Family members (adults) are one thing but friends with kids would be an absolute NO! I also have had parents who are leaving ask if they can come for a playdate. NO sorry. I am working and don't want the distraction. It is bad enough when family members pop in to say hello, the kids always act up and get out of hand.

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Originally Posted by mickyc

I hate visitors! Family members (adults) are one thing but friends with kids would be an absolute NO! I also have had parents who are leaving ask if they can come for a playdate. NO sorry. I am working and don't want the distraction. It is bad enough when family members pop in to say hello, the kids always act up and get out of hand.

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I agree! The aftermath can be awful and just isn't worth it. My closest friend, who is my back up care, comes very rarely almost only a couple times a year on a work day and if she does, it is always during naptime for a quick cuppa and the daycare parents know about it and know her.

This is my worst pet peeve. I hate unannounced visits during daycare hours. It throws your scheduled routine off and disrupts everyone. I had one dcg that would cry when she saw strangers. She bawled when my MIL dropped in. MIL took great offence. :laugh: She still talks about that "strange and unsociable child" LOL! Come to think of it, I don't think she's come unannounced since then.

I have family and friends with their kids come visit very occasionally, but it is never unannounced. I always try to make the visits with my friends with kids be outside, as I find the visiting kids tear my house apart in a way that the daycare kids never do. I always find it amazing how 2 of my friend's kids can make more mess than 6 daycare kids.

But I don't mind the visits (which aren't very often), even with the visiting kids not knowing the daycare rules, there usually isn't too much distruption and the kids all mostly play well. If this wasn't the case, I wouldn't ever have visitors.

As it is never unannounced, I let the daycare parents know that I have visitors coming.

"...find the visiting kids tear my house apart in a way that the daycare kids never do. I always find it amazing how 2 of my friend's kids can make more mess than 6 daycare kids."
So true!!