How do i go about doing this ?

Question

I am a childcare provider and i have some questions i would help with .

---looks like 2 parents of the kids i take care of likes to take advantage of my generosity . while we were signing the contract i told them there

is no fee for being late if once in a while they stuck in traffic or so i would tolerate it . they usually bring their kids right at 7:oo i dont mind that but then they pick their kids up sometimes at 5;45 or even 6:00. normally pick up time is a t 5 Pm . that is 10 hours per day . i have a family to take care of too . i try talking to them about them being late but looks like nothing is done . how do i go about being firm on it without sounding mean .?

----also there is one baby (4month old) that i loved dearly but i dont know how to deal with her parents . she always has long nails and is always scratching me not on purpose i know . i told her parents to cut her nails and mommy said i try to keep up with it but seems like they always come right back . and one day i cut it for her when i got fed up ( she scratches me right in the face while i was holding her ). two weeks now it is all the same again and always they say she didnt sleep last night so we couldnt do it . also her neck is always dirty and sticking and stinking form beastmilk . to the point that the other day i lift her chin up and looked under her neck . OMG rolls of dirt piled up under it . i felt so bad i just went ahead and wiped her with a warm towel and kind of cleaned her totally . she fell right asleep . that was friday . today i kind of look again and it was the same . would you say something? or just keep quiet . i mean my job isnt to wash her but watch her . it really stinks and it makes her uncomfortable too ? if you were me would you say some and how would you say it then?

PS: i am not judging her mommy and daddy but maybe they need more advice.

Answer 1

I think you definitely need to say something to the parents of the 4 month old.  It sounds like they don't know how to take care of her personal hygiene.  She could end up getting a skin infection, as a caregiver you should tell them that.  If they get offended, then too bad for them.

As for the other parents, I would tell them that they're going to get charged extra if picking up late becomes a habit.  I bet they'll be on time then.

Answer 2

Don't feel like you're being mean about the parents that are always late. Like you said, you have a family too.  I doubt if they stayed late at work they'd do it for free.  How many ppl do you know that when they work till 5:30 instead of 5 thye tell the boss to not worry about paying them for that last half hour.   Just tell them, Look, you were late 3 out of 5 times this week, I'm going to have to charge you 5 dollars for every 5 minutes your are late from now on.  Have an amended contract on hand for them to sign.   The other baby, I'd just mention it to them, if they are new parents they just might not get that babies do get dirty.

Answer 3

First of all, parents will take advantage of you if you even hint at being understanding about them being late. No exceptions. It is a business like any other and you need to set late fees for it and if they do not pay or they are consistently late, then you mst let them know you will not watch their kids anymore. And the baby who has long nails and is dirty. A big red flag that the baby is not being taken care of. I wold speak to them firmly first about her being dirty and if it dooes not change, then you must report them to child services. If she is dirty in front of you, what else are hey neglecting with that poor baby. It is not being mean, you are just doing what is right. This world is full of people who take advantage of a nice person.

Answer 4

sounds like they need help.  like they are maybe young  or just very inexperienced, i think for the babys sake you should maybe say something and see if things improve for her. she has to be miserable, and eventually she will be raw under her little neck and such from it.

Answer 5

you after other children so you cannot afford an unclean child .. tell the parents that the baby need to be clean other wise she may catch some germs and worst she may givee it to other kids .. and both parents if not responding tell them that the baby is band for 3 days without short notice and if thathappenedd again give them a week .. this way they will understand that you are serious .