Advice (or a lecture) for daycare parents

It takes a special kind of patience and professionalism to spend the day taking care of other people’s infants and toddlers. A licensed daycare provider, who wants to remain anonymous, wrote this open letter to busy moms and dads:

Yes, it is our job to change diapers. However, it is your job as a parent to change your child before dropping them off at daycare. Please do not bring them to school in their overnight diaper (and yes we know the difference between a child who pooped in the car on the way to daycare and one who has been in the diaper all night!)

Things happen. While we do our best to watch your child and provide quality care you should know that sometimes minor things do happen. Please do not yell and curse at me when your child has a small scrape on his toe, or gets a cough. If it is that serious, keep him in a bubble.

Potty training starts at home. Yes we will potty train your child, but if he or she is not going at home and is scared of the toilet, it is not going to work very well for any of us. Lets work together shall we?

If your child is sick please leave him/her at home. I understand you need to work, but so do I. I cannot afford to get pink eye, the flu or other viruses that you KNOWINGLY sent your child to daycare with. Plus the other children are being put at risk too. And if you choose to send your sick child, do not get upset at us when we call you to pick them, or refuse them upon drop off. We are only doing our job and looking out for their health and the health of the other children.

Children get dirty. They have accidents. This is why we ask you to provide a change of clothes. If you do not do so, we will use our spare clothes. If this happens, there is no need to yell at the teacher about your child being in someone else’s clothes. If your son comes home in pink pants because that is all we have, maybe you should bring them clothes if it bother you so much. Would you rather we send them home naked or wet?

We understand you spank your child at home. You may make them sit until they finish their food. You might yell at them. That is your choice, but we cannot do those thing here. Please do not keep asking us to do so. We will lose our license.

Daycares have rules and schedules. Your child may be spoiled at home, but here she has to follow rules. She must share, she must nap (or rest quietly), she must listen she must play nice. We are training her for her future. If you get angry about her being made to follow rules, maybe you should just keep her at home and let her run wild there. We will see her on the news in about 10 years.

Fathers, this is not a dating service. This is a childcare service. Please do not hit on me or ask about my relationship or sex life. I am here to care for your child’s needs not yours. Please be professional and keep it in your pants.

One of my readers, Cate from Tacoma, gives the parent’s response:

I am the parent, you are the child care provider. You don’t get to tell me what I should do with my child at home.

I pick up my child at the same time each day. It would be great if you could ask them to get their shoes and coat on before I show up.

When I drop my child off and he is upset, please don’t stand there and stare at the melt down-it’s your job to transition him into the class so I can go to work.

If I provide diapers and wipes for my child, do not use them on other children. They are expensive enough as it is.

If you require special boots because it’s easier for you to not have to tie everyone’s shoes before you go outside, you need to provide them-child care is expensive enough without buying boots that won’t be used except at child care.

When I come to pick up my child, do not say, “Boy are we glad to see you.” If you have a concern, talk to me about it but don’t make it sound like you dislike my child.

You spend more time with my child while he is awake, therefore most potty training takes place there. Work with me and ask me what we’re doing at home. This is part of your job.

Lastly, we understand that you have experience with lots of children but we have lots of experience with our children. Listen to us and work with us or you may not have to deal with us or our children anymore when we choose a different provider. And remember, this is your job. Be professional and polite.