Absolutely for it!!!! ......with boundaries though

We are a home based business. They are trusting us with the most important thing in their life and they're just supposed to take our word that were a nice, normal, caring, fair, gentle person?? I think not lol. Would you feel comfortable if roles were reversed? Trust takes time and it will come but until then, it is part of our job to help create that trust.

If a parent wants to bring their child for an hour or so as a play date in the beginning, I allow that. Usually from 10-11 as it doesn't disrupt morning snack or lunch or they can join us outside from 330-430 at end of day for play date. These occur before the child starts with me as the parent stays with them. Once the child starts, I ask drop off to be 1-3 mins and we can chat longer at pickup if needed/wanted.

I also encourage parents to take the first month and pick up unexpectedly. They can "catch" me off guard and see that I am a nice normal person lol. After the month, I like to be told if times will be different though so I can plan my days and activities.

Honestly, I haven't had a lot take up the hour play date opportunity but a few have and it goes okay. Sure there might be some kids that take this time to "show off" or test boundaries but again, part of the job IMO. It also allows the new family to see me in action so to speak lol. Very very few show up unexpectedly.

I think parents just want to know that the option is there and that were being transparent with how we do things. They take that as a good sign instead of a red flag if I were just to say no, you need to trust me from the get go.