Jack & Jill Dayhome - Riverbend

When you come to view my dayhome, I am interviewing you and your child while you are interviewing me.  We usually have a short time to assess each other and we both must make the decision that my dayhome will be the best place for your child, or that this is not the place for your child.

Depending on the age of the child, these are some things I am observing:

• Does your child obey mom or dad while visiting me?
• Is your child "wild"? Are they running around my house, pulling everything off the shelves, or are they respectful and cautious of things that don't belong to them?
• Is your child unusually fearful and clingy? What are you doing to remedy this? Has your child been left in someone's care before and given an opportunity to know you will return?
• Does your child speak respectfully to you? Do they demand your attention when you are speaking to me? If your child is mouthy to you, they will be mouthy to me.
• Does your child have temper tantrums? How do you respond if they do?
• Is your child really overweight? A very young child still needs to be lifted and carried - I have had some back problems in the past, so I have to be careful.
• Is your child's behaviour age-appropriate?
• How are they doing developmentally?  If they are potty training age - how are they doing? 
• Do you use baby sign language?  While I understand a few signs I do not use it. I try to teach children to learn to use words instead of signs.
• Is your child spoiled?  Is she used to being carried all the time? I cannot give all my attention to one child who is demanding. My time must be divided between all the children I care for.

 I am observing while interviewing a parent:

• How do you speak to your child? Is it age appropriate - are you babying him, or expecting him to understand adult conversation?
• How do you respond to interruptions your child makes while we are speaking?
• How do you correct your child?
• Do you request diet restrictions for your child? (Aside from allergies.)
• Are you open and at ease talking with me, or are you interrogating me? (If  you don't trust me, chances are I won't trust you either).
• Do we seem to have the same views about child care? Are your expectations unreasonable? Do you think mine are?
• Can you afford me? Will you feel free to discuss rates with me?  (I don't want money to be an issue between us.)
• Do you seem sensitive to my situation and viewpoint, and are you willing to discuss things you don't agree with?
• Will you be able to fit into my drop off/pick up times?  If it seems tight to you now, it will not likely work out.
• Do you have a support system within the city?  (Family or friends who can help you out in a pinch.)

It is not necessary that we agree on all things, but we need to see eye to eye on important matters.  If I say things that do not sit right with you..please discuss them with me in advance. I may not be comfortable with you if you say things which I feel might be a problem between us later. Rely on that gut feeling you get when we get together - that is more important than an "ideal situation". There is no perfect dayhome - and I am not looking for "perfect" children.  I am looking for the best fit possible for both of us. 

There are a few things which will prepare your child for care in my dayhome, or any other dayhome.

• Leave your child with other people!  This is the kindest thing you can do for your child before she must be left all day with me.  She needs to understand that you leave and always return for her.  Even if she cries, reassure her and then LEAVE.  
• Don't baby him. I know you love him, and he knows that too.  But if he is babied and spoiled before leaving him in a dayhome, he will really be shocked and stressed with the reality of being without you.
• Say No. Your child will need to understand and obey your caregiver when she says "No".  If he is used to getting his own way, this will be a difficult time for him.
• Pay attention to other children in her presence. Get her used to sharing you.  Pick up other children and insist that she behaves while you do. She will never have all my attention while she's in my home either, so if she's used to sharing an adult with other children, it will make things easier for her.  This is also a benefit if you should decide to have another child!
• Teach him to use an "indoor voice".  In the house, I encourage children not to scream, yell or talk in a really loud voice. With multiple children the noise level would be out of control if they are allowed to be as loud as they might want to be. This wouldn't be comfortable for me or most other children. Outdoors, they can be louder and let off steam, but screaming is never acceptable unless they are hurt or in danger.
• Teach her manners.  We sit nicely at the table (or in a high chair), and don't play around until you are excused.  Even little ones learn to wait their turn until they are served, cleaned off etc.  
• Teach him age appropriate independence. If he needs a bottle - he must be able to hold it himself.  If he is 12 months old, he is old enough to pick up toys and put them in the toy box. 

These are just a few of the key things which will help your child make an easy transition into a dayhome.  I have chosen things which I have seen children having problems with in my experience.  I don't expect perfect children, but children who have been taught to try.

I am frequently looking for new children to fill anticipated vacancies.  Turnover happens for many reasons - mom's having second babies, kids grow up and go to school, people move, and even because of personal reasons. 

I may release a child from my care for several reasons:

• A child who has behavior problems that I can't handle.
• A child who is not able to adjust in a reasonable length of time (ie. significant crying and distress).
• Parents who treat me or children in inappropriate ways (eg. hitting, yelling, disrespect).
• Parents who do not make timely payments.
• Parents who do not cooperate with me, my rules, routines, and policies.
• It's not a good fit for me and the child or parents.
• There may be other reasons as well.

When I release a child from my care, I give a minimum of two weeks notice.  If the child stays for two weeks, your deposit is applied to those two weeks.  If you choose to remove your child from my care earlier than the two weeks, the deposit is forfeited.  In unusual circumstances I may need to release a child immediately and not give two weeks notice. In this case your deposit is returned (or prorated based on the amount of notice given.)