Arrrggg !!

[TinyTwigs]

that is awful!!! How can they do that it's so rude not to mention they waste their own time...good grief! The family ended up showing up BUT they were late and I had three interviews yesterday back to back so they cut into their own time. I sign a family on today and I have another out of the three who is interested but they wanted too see the daycare in action. I am not comfortable with so I just wanted to know if anyone else allows this or not?

I did have a mom complain once that she wouldn't feel comfortable if I allowed strangers in the daycare since she didn't know them and wasn't comfortable, which I totally understand.

[Lee-Bee]

that is awful!!! How can they do that it's so rude not to mention they waste their own time...good grief! The family ended up showing up BUT they were late and I had three interviews yesterday back to back so they cut into their own time. I sign a family on today and I have another out of the three who is interested but they wanted too see the daycare in action. I am not comfortable with so I just wanted to know if anyone else allows this or not?

I did have a mom complain once that she wouldn't feel comfortable if I allowed strangers in the daycare since she didn't know them and wasn't comfortable, which I totally understand.

Just explain it in a way that is reassuring. Mention you prefer not to invite strangers in while you are working with the children and that you need to be focussed on the children not on a perspective family. Note that you recognize that they want to see you in action with their children and offer up another opportunity for their child to come and play with you for 20-30minutes where you can focus on interacting with their child.

Every provider has their own way of doing this...some are quite comfortable having families in to watch for 30-60mintues others are not. Just spin your preference to their benefit. Personally I find that the children do not act the same when extra adults are in the room and having the parents come to watch you isn't really that useful as it doesn't reflect your normal day. If the parent isn't comfortable with that then unfortunately they will have to go elsewhere. In these situations either the parent isn't comfortable or you are not comfortable. It is your business so there is no reason you need to be placed outside your comfort zone for their benefit. It just sets the tone that you will bend your preferences for them in the future.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

... who is interested but they wanted too see the daycare in action. I am not comfortable with so I just wanted to know if anyone else allows this or not?

I did have a mom complain once that she wouldn't feel comfortable if I allowed strangers in the daycare since she didn't know them and wasn't comfortable, which I totally understand.

I tend to avoid potential client coming in day care hours if possible because my attention must be on the children in my care. But, I do allow it if they ask. However, I am firm about what it will entail and the timing. I not allow meals and naps to be disrupted. Because we already covered questions and because it only be permitted once serious inquiry and from someone I'd want in my business, it does not need be long appointment. 30 mins max, at time which fit day care routine and at least 48 hour notice so I can tell client another adult will be in house, when and why. My client know that I not normally have people in house during business hours but they do understand potential client sometime wants to see how their child interacts with the group.