I run a in home daycare and recently I had a parent visit that had a child that is autistic ....?

Question

They viewed my home and would like for the child to start the the only thing is I told them I don't think the child would fit in and I would not like if the other kids that I look after would pick on her or make her feel out of place,,,they said she would be fine , so as I observe the child on the visit she seemed very active, I run my business out of my condo so of course i try to keep the noise down due to my neighbors,.How do let the parents know that she might be to much for me to handle? should i EMAIL OR CALL?

Answer 1

You should call, email is to impersonal and will seem like a cop-out.

Answer 2

Why not give this child a chance?  How do you know you can't handle it?  What you observed is a child in a new environment checking out her surroundings.  I have an Autistic son and people who don't know about Autism, especially the fact that the spectrum is sooo huge seem to fear the worst.  Maybe tell the parents that you are willing to do a trial run and see how it goes.  I find when people hear Autism it scares them.  Don't mention to the parnts that other children may pick on her because children need to be taught about compassion and I would expect my childcare provider to provide those qualities.  I understand your fear, however I think you may be afraid of the unknown.  Who knows this maybe your nitch

Answer 3

Call them and tell them you are not trained to take care of special needs children.

Answer 4

Talk in person and tell them, it would be to difficult because that child would need more hands on and attention. You have to many other children and couldn't give the child proper attention under the circumstances. Plus you would probably have to have another person helping.

Answer 5

i think you should take her on as a "trial" basis.

Answer 6

This is tough and can get sticky if they know you are denying the child entry due to her autism. I think you need to carefully approach this matter-they may want to mainstream the child and are going to push to get her in a "regular" program. However, if you do not feel up to trying to work with a special needs child you need to state to them that you lack the training and resources to properly care for the child and can not take her at this time. Since they know you have a spot open you can not just say "the spot is gone" you will have to explain it. And I would do that verbally-not in writing which can come back later to bite you in court.

And I will say not all autistic children are wild and out of control-some are no more or less wild than a "normal" pre-school children. I would actually question how you keep noise down with active energetic children of any ability level unless they are sitting most of the time. Likewise, why would the other children be allowed to pick on a child in care-all the day care's I have worked with have had rules on "picking" at other kids that were often enforced by our students more than the teachers or me as a director. I had a no bullies rule and just flat out didn't allow kids to be mean to each other-we taught them to respect themselves and one another. Sure disagreements happen but you are making it sound like the children you keep would be alone long enough to break into cliches and engage in some hefty bully behavior. If you are keeping a close eye on them at all times you can guide them in showing respect and kindness to each other.

Answer 7

I have been a licensed child care provider in my home for 20 years.  I consider people who provide child care in their home to be professionals who are running a business.  I think you should be open in this situation and at least give it a try to provide care for this special needs child.  You can not necessarily tell how things will be on the first visit.  When I interview with any potential client and we get to the point where it seems as if they as well as I are comfortable with each other than I tell them that we'll give it a trial 2 week period.  That way, if they aren't happy with me or I'm not happy with them, we know that at 2 weeks we can cut the agreement with no questions asked.  I have cared for an autistic child.  It was new to me so I asked the parents for advice and resources that I might need.  We did have some problems to work through, but it worked out.  He stayed with me for a year and then we decided he should go to an after school care at his school.  If you have concerns than I think you should definitely call.  Ask some specific questions about behavior, discipline, and reasonable expectations.  I think if you arrange for a trial period, just to see if it will work out, you may be surprised to find you can handle this child after all.

Answer 8

If you can talk to the parents in person, I would do that. If you aren't able to do this, call. Do not state that you don't think the child would fit in or believe she would be made fun of. It's not professional. Simply say that you aren't familiar with autistic children. Because of this, you believe she will be too much for you handle and will not able to keep her safe because of your unfamiliarity and lack of knowledge. That's it. You didn't make any promises to this family and didn't let them down. They should understand.

Best Wishes =]

Answer 9

If you're sure you don't want this child in your care, call the parents.  Say to them, " I have considered your child for my home daycare and I just don't feel it would be a compatible match for him to be in my daycare.  I feel I won't be able to give him the care and time he needs and that he and or the other children will suffer because of it.  It wouldn't be fair of me to him or the other children to take him at this time."

That's it.  Do NOT apologize...you don't owe them and apologize legitimizes any negative feelings they may have about your rejection.

I suggest that in the future, you tell prospective parents that you will call them in two days to let them know your decision.  I always say, "I have a couple more interviews to do before I make a decision.  I'll get back with you by Monday (or whatever) to let you know my decision."  This way, it gives you time to really think it through and to avoid having to call them back and tell them you've changed you mind.

Answer 10

Call them and tell them that you don't feel you can give their child the care that she deserves. Tell them you are not experienced with autistic children and are not comfortable watching over her.

Answer 11

You should call, e-mail is so impersonal and unprofessional, you just need to tell them the truth about how you feel.  Let them know that you don't feel like you could give her the best care possible.

Answer 12

when I worked in an in home daycare, we let them try it for a week or two, two if it was a good kid, one if it was an over the top uncontrollable kid.  

You might be surprised, I used to care for a hydrocypholic boy, the grandparents who were caring for him didn't think he would fit in, and thought he would be picked on, He ended up being one of the best kiddos there!

Tell the parents by phone, that you would be willing to give it a one week trial, to see if it goes.

Answer 13

You should not feel obligated to take in a child who needs a level of care/skill that is beyond your expertise.Call the parents and explain that unfortunately you  have not acquired the skills to deal with a special needs child. Let them know that accepting her/him would be a diservice to your child because she needs adequate time and attention....Assure them that when you are able to get the training or can hire someone to assist you then the child can be accepted into your daycare.

Answer 14

That's a hard one.  Most people like myself don't like to hear anything bad about there child.  I would call them and tell them it would be in their daughters and her best interest to take  her to a different daycare.  Since you didn't have the space for as much running and loud activities.  That you thank them for meeting there wonderful child and appreciate the business but that you are truly in it for the love of the children and what is in their best interest :) Good luck!!

Answer 15

I run a home child care too and have worked with a 7 year old autistic child. Call them. An e-mail is inappropriate. There are three ways you can go about doing it: Lie, stretch the truth or tell the truth.

Lie: Tell them that you have interviewed another family and that they have accepted the spot already, or that you are full.

Stretch the truth: Tell them that you are still interviewing other families, and you will choose based on who you feel is the best fit for the other children in your care.

Tell the truth: Tell them that you don't feel as if their daughter would fit in very well at your home. You're afraid of what may happen if the other children realize she is "different", and you do not want to risk their daughter being hurt. You also see her as a very active child, more active than you feel you may be able to keep up with with other children being in your home.

A phone call is best, and in my opinion, honesty is the best policy. They may feel hurt, but they will understand. You cannot take on everybody.

I have had to turn away a family before, because I didn't feel as if their mother was responsible enough and as if the children had good hygiene. I couldn't risk my business, nor the health and safety of the other child in my home. I told her that I had other people to interview and the spot would go to who I felt fit best with the children. I called her a few days later and told her the spot was full..although I wasn't interviewing anyone, and I had plenty of open spots.

There are some cases, such as mine, where lying is necessary, but I believe in yours, it is best to tell the truth. If you already have other children there, you have to think about their safety as well, and having an overactive child may put their safety in jeopardy.

Another thing you might want to try is a 2-week period to "see how it goes". If this child proves to be one you are able to handle and gets along well with the other children, then let the parents know that you will continue care for their child. If it proves otherwise, let them know that you do not feel it is a good fit.

Good luck.

Answer 16

Turn it around to make it sound like it's unfair to the daughter.  Say you are not experienced or well equipped to handle a special needs child and other children at the same time.  The autistic girl deserves better.

DON'T take on the responsibility if you are not comfortable it will come back and bite you in the butt, lol!  The parents say oh she's fine then next thing you knwo the smallest thing happens and they start blaming you...

how old is the child btw?