Same rules for casual kids as for regulars?

[SevenwatersDaughter]

Hi everyone! Another question here for you.

I have one part-time boy and two full-time girls. I am trying to fill my spaces up (I can have no more than five toddler/preschool children, including my own daughter) and right now I provide back-up care for a lady that goes to my church for her daughter. Usually this is rare that she comes to my day care, maybe just a few times a year (she is here today, tomorrow and the next because her current provider had to get some minor surgery done).

I love this little DCG and wish she was a full-time one! The only issue I have is that she brings this little suitcase every day filled with little toys, and she doesn't like other kids playing with them. She also brought this bigger toy today too and didn't really like the other kids playing with it either.

I'm wondering if I should just bite my tongue and just put the toys away after mom drops her off, since I look after her so infrequently, or whether I should give her the Parent's Handbook and contract and have her read it so she knows my rules and regulations and sign it. I'll be getting her to fill out a child information paper anyways because I need to know her daughter's health info in case of an emergency.

What do you all think?

[mickyc]

Yes exact same rules apply for everyone. This is sending mixed signals to your current children as to why the new girl is allowed to bring toys and they are not. You can either do 2 things - show mom your contract, get her to sign it or put toys away after mom leaves and tell the child that no toys allowed at daycare.

[AmandaKDT]

With being licensed you probably need a contract signed anyway, might be a good way to broach the subject with the parent. Your coordinator will likely want to see that you have appropriate paperwork for all children in your care.

It is my policy too that no outside toys are allowed, and if they come then they go into the backpack immediately. I don't always wait for the parent to leave either, as soon as the child is undressed I get them to say good bye to their toy and have them put it in their backpack themselves.

[CrazyEight]

I have an older casual girl that brings toys every time she comes here. I tell her the moment she walks in that if toys go down to the playroom, she needs to share and let everyone have a turn. If she'd rather not share, then that's fine, but I will put them away until she leaves. Most of the time it works, but they all know there's a no-strike rule. If they fight over them, they get taken away.

Frankly, I wish she didn't bring them, as none of the other kids do, but I'm in the same boat as you - she's so infrequent that it's usually a non-issue, so I don't really want to get into it. Honestly, I have bigger issues to fry with this family, such as paying on time, so the toys are pretty minor at the moment!