Trouble with a Mom

[sunnydays]

I don't have appointments during daycare hours. If it is something that can't be scheduled in the evening, then I book off the time well in advance and close the daycare early that day (it hasn't happened to me yet, but I would if I had to). I let parents know in my interviews that I do sometimes drive the kids in my van, but only when I have kids away so numbers are down and then it is for the purposes of a fun outing such as a museum for a special treat. I don't run errands or do anything of that sort during daycare hours. I have to drop-off and pick-up my son at the bus stop for school, but parents know about that and we walk. Other than that, my husband takes the kids to appointments etc. When my kids are older and if I feel I need to take them to activities etc, I will either make my daycare closing time earlier or check with parents during interviews about this. Perhaps they are upset because it seems it is becoming a regular thing rather than a once in awhile and that is not what they understood when they signed on with you?

[cfred]

I always make sure parents are aware at the initial interview that I take the children on outings in the car. Sometimes it's frequent, sometimes it's not, but we do it. If parents aren't comfortable with that, then they can look elsewhere. The kids and I enjoy trips to restaurants, provincial parks, conservation areas, reptile exhibits.....tonnes of stuff. I'd never take on a client who would deprive all the other kids of those experiences.

[Mamma_Mia]

I'm confused. Did you already have agreement from the parents about taking their baby in your vehicle?

This is where I'm confused too

I tell all my parents that I drive with their children to playgroups, parks, library etc. They all sign an agreement. If I have to go get my daughter at 5pm and knew for SURE I'd be back before the parents are due to arrive I would NOT text them. The child is in my care from x?am to 5:30pm so if I am out and about until 5:29 that's part of MY business that they agreed to.....there should be NO issues.

[kidlove]

no sunny days, only transported her three times so far. two where picking up my kids and one was a chiro appt. I really don't want to transport, especially that age. I have had her for almost 4 months, thats less than once a month.

[kidlove]

Thanks Guys! After a lot of thought. I have decided to meet in the middle. I have asked my Father in law to "play Mommy" and pick my daughter up most days, but about 4 days through the month I have decided to close at 5pm and have them pick their daughter up 30 minutes early so I can support my daughter on those days. I do completely understand the issue of not wanting their daughter transported and hope this agreement will work with them. I refuse to take a child in my vehicle that a parent is uneasy about....I have NEVER had this be an issue before, for years I have been trusted and parents have had no worries. I hope the "trust" doesn't become more of an issue. Thanks for all your input.

[Sandbox Sally]

Haven't read the replies, but it is TOTALLY within your rights and you are absolutely morally correct to insist that if she has a problem with you transporting her kid, she MUST be available for pickup before 5.

WTF???

[Sandbox Sally]

Also, now that I live in the suburbs, there is no way that I could get around transporting daycare kids, unless we stayed in my yard all day every day, and oh, didn't pick the kids up from school. LOL

[kidlove]

We have worked everything out, this Mom I think was more "worried" than anything. This is her first baby and she seemed very edgy and questioning the first 3 or 4 months. It has been about a month since this post and she has mellowed dramatically.....I no longer transport or ask her to transport her child. Just as she was "new" with the whole daycare thing, and "trusting someone else" issue, I was also trying to get used to my kids new school and just my kids going back to school. Now we have a routine, my husband is home for the winter, and the schedule is worked out so she will pick up early on the days my daughter has basketball games. This Mom has become very friendly and seems to have much more "trust" in me. Things are good. Thanks ladies

[Spixie33]

I may be totally crazy - probably am....but I don't think it is unreasonable that a parent expects us to stay home with the daycare children until the daycare closes.

I consider that I am WORKING during the daycare hours and just like I could not do personal things during an office job - I can't do them during my daycare. I have to treat it professionally unless it is something I have special permission for or it is an emergency.

If the parent has never discussed the arrangement with you or been made aware that there could be days for dropoffs etc then it may have been the first they are hearing of it.

I have my kids in activities 3-4 days a week but I make sure everything is after daycare hours. I would NEVER take a daycare child to drop off for ballet or swimming or want them there. THat is my time to focus on my kids. I wouldn't want it and I doubt parents would want it. That is why I made my daycare have an early close at 5 and I pick activity times very carefully.

I have never heard of a provider taking daycare kids with them in my area.

YOu asked about personal days where you have appts....for days like dentist appts, doctors etc - I book those usually weeks in advance and notify parents that I am closing for the day or a half day. Again...those are personal things and there is no way I would want to drag a daycare child plus my own kids around for those.

Now if something happened at school - like I had a all home that one of my kids was hurt or sick then I might have to drive with a daycare child but I have authorization ahead of time and it gets discussed during the interview process but I would not like to. I would probably have my husband come from work and go to the school rather than me do it with daycare kids....especially since I don't have a van.

I think that providers just have to think of what they think they would/could do in every situation, what the options are and then discuss this with parents in the interview or face to face at drop off at pick up time if it is a new thing.

I hope everything went well with the mom though and everything is good between you

[treeholm]

My parents do not permit me to drive their children anywhere, and I don't have car seats or extra car insurance anyway. In case of an emergency, I would call 911 and let an ambulance transport the child. The parent would be notified to meet the ambulance at the hospital. I agree with Spixie that I am at work when the daycare is open. If I need to go somewhere, I would get backup or close the daycare. I use a quad stroller for outings to the park and early learning centre. I am not comfortable driving other people's children around, and I don't want the expense of the extra car insurance. I'm sure it must be very high since it turns your vehicle into a commercial vehicle with added liability responsibilities.