A Providers Expectations. . .
While expectations differ somewhat, depending on whether your child is cared for in your home, in the home of a family day care provider or in a child care center, your provider or providers should be able to expect certain things from you.
1) Open communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about how your child will be cared for. Also provide updates on problems and progress that your child is making. Give the provider information about your child's routine, activities and preferences. Good communication helps parents and providers work together in the best interest of children.
2) Agreement on terms and arrangements. You should fully understand the expectations of the provider and what you as a parent are agreeing to.
3) Honesty and trust. This includes being honest about how you believe the arrangement is working, whether your child is happy with the provider and whether you are. Although you need to be vigilant in order to safeguard your child, you should still trust your child care provider to do the best for your child. Show your trust by asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions when apparent problems develop.
4) Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Providers have to earn a living, too, so they deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services. And, if you expect three to six weeks notice in case the provider can no longer care for your child, you owe the provider similar notice.
5) Pick up on time and follow through on all agreements. Providers have personal lives, too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick up your child at the agreed upon time. If it takes you 15 minutes a night longer to get home than you expected or, if you find it more convenient to stop at the grocery store before picking up your child which makes you 30 minutes late three times a week you need to work out a new agreement with the provider or find a way to abide by the original one. If you agree to provide diapers, formula or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed.
6) Not to send sick, or overly tired kids. Agree with your child care provider in advance about when you can send and cannot bring a sick child. Never bring a child whom you know is not feeling well enough to be away from home and family. Likewise you shouldn't expect your child care provider to cope with a child who went to bed four hours late last night.
7) Payment on time. Child care providers have to pay the mortgage and buy food, too, so make arrangements to see that they get their pay on time.
8) Respect. Realize that taking care of children is a job and the child care provider is a worker, often a working parent, just as you are. Recognize also that this is not an easy job. A child care provider is not "just a baby sitter". She is one of the most important people in your child's life and in yours, too.
9) No jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your child's attachment to child care providers. Children who spend hours every day with a day care worker come to care for that person. That caring, though, doesn't diminish the love the child feels for you. Don't feel that you have to compete with your child care provider for your child's affection.
10) No surprises. The provider's schedule for activities is based on the amount of children she will have, and their ages. Your family day care provider doesn't like surprises any better than parents do.
· Parent Policies - All families are required to adhere to the policies set forth in the parent handbook and contract.
· Required Forms - All families are required to maintain up to date forms designated by the state. I will no longer be offering my handbook/contract on the web site. Potential clients can email me for the full version in Word format.
· Provider Responsibilities - Open communication, maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for each child, being reliable, and supplying receipts and end of year tax information. My goal is to provide all of the children in my care, a clean, safe, comfortable, loving, home-like environment, where they can play and learn. Respect toward self, others and the environment will be emphasized. I believe in the value of both structured and flexible schedules. Structured activities will include the use of regular reading times, arts and crafts, and musical activities. Out-door play, free play, birthday parties, children's videos and favorite children's television programs, are some of the more flexible activities we have. The most important priority is to have FUN! Please don't expect my home or your child to be perfectly clean at pickup time. We may do messy activities, but will do our best to maintain cleanliness and order. The fun and the well-being of the children will always take precedence over cleanliness.
If you have any questions feel free to Email Me!
1) Open communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about how your child will be cared for. Also provide updates on problems and progress that your child is making. Give the provider information about your child's routine, activities and preferences. Good communication helps parents and providers work together in the best interest of children.
2) Agreement on terms and arrangements. You should fully understand the expectations of the provider and what you as a parent are agreeing to.
3) Honesty and trust. This includes being honest about how you believe the arrangement is working, whether your child is happy with the provider and whether you are. Although you need to be vigilant in order to safeguard your child, you should still trust your child care provider to do the best for your child. Show your trust by asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions when apparent problems develop.
4) Advance notice of and agreement to any changes. Providers have to earn a living, too, so they deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services. And, if you expect three to six weeks notice in case the provider can no longer care for your child, you owe the provider similar notice.
5) Pick up on time and follow through on all agreements. Providers have personal lives, too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick up your child at the agreed upon time. If it takes you 15 minutes a night longer to get home than you expected or, if you find it more convenient to stop at the grocery store before picking up your child which makes you 30 minutes late three times a week you need to work out a new agreement with the provider or find a way to abide by the original one. If you agree to provide diapers, formula or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed.
6) Not to send sick, or overly tired kids. Agree with your child care provider in advance about when you can send and cannot bring a sick child. Never bring a child whom you know is not feeling well enough to be away from home and family. Likewise you shouldn't expect your child care provider to cope with a child who went to bed four hours late last night.
7) Payment on time. Child care providers have to pay the mortgage and buy food, too, so make arrangements to see that they get their pay on time.
8) Respect. Realize that taking care of children is a job and the child care provider is a worker, often a working parent, just as you are. Recognize also that this is not an easy job. A child care provider is not "just a baby sitter". She is one of the most important people in your child's life and in yours, too.
9) No jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your child's attachment to child care providers. Children who spend hours every day with a day care worker come to care for that person. That caring, though, doesn't diminish the love the child feels for you. Don't feel that you have to compete with your child care provider for your child's affection.
10) No surprises. The provider's schedule for activities is based on the amount of children she will have, and their ages. Your family day care provider doesn't like surprises any better than parents do.
· Parent Policies - All families are required to adhere to the policies set forth in the parent handbook and contract.
· Required Forms - All families are required to maintain up to date forms designated by the state. I will no longer be offering my handbook/contract on the web site. Potential clients can email me for the full version in Word format.
· Provider Responsibilities - Open communication, maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for each child, being reliable, and supplying receipts and end of year tax information. My goal is to provide all of the children in my care, a clean, safe, comfortable, loving, home-like environment, where they can play and learn. Respect toward self, others and the environment will be emphasized. I believe in the value of both structured and flexible schedules. Structured activities will include the use of regular reading times, arts and crafts, and musical activities. Out-door play, free play, birthday parties, children's videos and favorite children's television programs, are some of the more flexible activities we have. The most important priority is to have FUN! Please don't expect my home or your child to be perfectly clean at pickup time. We may do messy activities, but will do our best to maintain cleanliness and order. The fun and the well-being of the children will always take precedence over cleanliness.
If you have any questions feel free to Email Me!