Question new to this

[mickyc]

What does your contract say? In mine consistent late pick ups are grounds for termination. I would give them notice that you are placing them on probation. Spell out exactly what you expect from them (in writing) - need to pick up on time, send appropriate clothing and leave an extra set at your home, to help you work through the behavioural issues and give them a time frame that they have to cooperate. If they are late once then it is immediate termination, if after the probation period the child is still having behavioural issues and you are having issues with the parents bringing the appropriate clothing then terminate.

As for eating, my contract states that I will try my best to serve something all kids like but in the event we have something the child refuses to eat they will NOT be given any alternative. I do try and give options on certain things. For example when we have raw vegies (often) I will make sure and serve something that I know each child likes. Some like carrots, others like celery, broccoli etc. I serve the little ones who don't eat the hard vegies tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers and small pieces of orange peppers.

Be strict with the child regarding biting and scratching - instant timeout!

Hope this helps

[Lee-Bee]

So frustrating!

My contract does not have any late fees (that's permission to be late, with a penalty). If late once, verbal warning, second time it`s a verbal and written notice that the next time late will be end of contract. Basically 3 strikes you`re out.

Now, in the last 6 months I`ve had 2 families that have been late, once each. They gave text notice as to why (car accident blocking traffic etc) and were only a few minutes late. That doesn`t bother me in the least. Neither would bad weather slowing traffic or just a work emergency. The point is, they call/text to explain, they apologize (noting that they overstayed their time here) and that it is infrequent. Life happens...I get it. BUT if they do it often and do not text ahead or apologize is just rude and shows that they think they are running the show not you.

I would, as mickyc said, give notice of probation.

As for the clothes...I have 2 families that keep sending their child is pants (thick pants). I find it odd...but I just assume it's because we have central a/c and perhaps they don't so they find it cool. Frankly I wear a sweater inside as I find it cool (we don't even keep the house cool at 25c but the daycare is in the basement). We aren't outside long enough for me to worry and we don't go out in extreme heat. Once I sent a child home in diaper telling mom he was over heating. She started sending shorts in his bag just in case.

Sometimes parents just see things differently and if it doesn't impact anyone other than their child I go with it. Now if the child was complaining of being hot and was being miserable then it would be impacting others and I'd be insisting on shorts.

Is there a chance they haven't sent clothes, as requested, because they only come 2x a week and the time in between the request and their next visit is so long they just forget? I can see this happening since life is busy. Maybe send an email/text the night before his next day requesting clothes?

As for the food...tough. you offer the child chooses whether or not to eat. I don't make special meals for picky eaters. I do offer one 'safe' food per meal (bread usually) for my child that eats next to nothing...I figure a bit of bread and some milk will be enough to not be miserable until snack time. My picky eater learned very quickly not to whine or request special food and just sits and waits for everyone to finish. I hope that someday she will eat more...but it's been 6 months now and we've really made no progress!

Anyways...being late is an issue that needs to be dealt with asap. The other issues are just minor things that wouldn't so much bother me on their own...but all piled together could be enough to look for a more suitable family. Giving notice of probation with clear expectations is a good start...they will either pull their act together to keep their space or they will move on to other care.