How to say no to parents

[mayanna]

Hello, wondering what everyones feedback will be for this but I'm fairly new to the home daycare thing and just wondered...how do you say no to a preant if you are currenlty in the interviewing process and 1) you dont particularly like the parent, 2)you dont like their required care schedule??? I interviewed a parent who just seems a bit 'too much" for me. I can already sense that I will encounter some issues with this parent over very silly things and would just prefer a simple transaction instead!!! Hope Im not being too picky but at the same time, I have a lot of interest and at the end of the day, I have a pool of prefered parents/children so how do I say this to the ones I dont want in my care??? wish I could say "sorry" but feel as though they need a better explanation. At the same time, Im entering into a contract with these people so technically I have final say, just not sure what is considered rude and whats fair.

Also, anyone set any 'house rules' for parents?? ie, 3 strikes and your out" I have house rules for children but feel I need to setup a few for parents as well...something easy to remember so I never have to deal with explanation or having them second guess.

Thanks in advance and very curious to hear your feedback!!!

[playfelt]

Yes it is your call at the end of the day and you need to pick families that are on the same page as you are. You could be honest and just say thank you for expressing interest in my home daycare. I have chosen families that I think will best fit into my daycare group. I am sorry to say that all of my spaces are now filled. Good luck with your childcare search. Most of my families contact me by email so it is a lot easier to send an email back when I am filled.

If there was something specific you could do the parents and future caregivers a service by bringing it to the parents attention since you aren't taking them anyways doesn't matter if you offend really. But to tell them that their demands are outside the bounds of normal daycare or whatever might help them to temper their requests and actually find a caregiver.

I don't have specific rules for parents but within your contract you will have expectations set out that any one of them if broken is a breach of the contract and grounds for dismissal. It will be up to you to determine how serious the infraction is. I have had parents make excuses and pay late - as long as they pay I am ok with a day late once I get to know them, parents forget to bring stuff you ask for it happens, will be up to you to determine what your limits are. Parent having a tirade tantrum at the door leaves and doesn't return no questions asked.