Expectations of Parents

These are 10 things that Your Child Care Provider should expect from you as a parent:

  1. Open Communication. Explain clearly and carefully your wishes and expectations about your child’s care. Provide updates on problems and progress your child is making.
  2. Agreement on terms or arrangements. You should fully understand the expectations of the provider. A written agreement between the provider and parents is usually helpful for both parties. If you agree to provide diapers, formula or other supplies, you should bring them before they are needed.
  3. Honesty and trust. Although you need to be concerned about safe guarding your child, you should still trust your child care provider. 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 deserve advance notice if you are going to stop using their services, take a vacation or change your hours. And, if you expect a month or six weeks notice if the provider can no longer care for your child, you owe the provider similar notice.
  5. Drop off and pick up times. Providers have personal lives too, and they should be able to expect that you will pick your child up at the agreed-upon time. Arrange your schedule so you can be on time and definitely call ahead if you’re going to be late. Remember, it is much easier on your child if you arrive and leave on time.
  6. Do not send sick kids. Agree with your child care provider in advance about what determines if a child is too sick to be in child care.  Child care programs need to adhere to strict guidelines in order to keep themselves and all other children in care as healthy as possible.
  7. Payment on time and no “rubber” checks. Child care providers have to pay the rent 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 often a working parent, just as you are. Understand the demanding job the provider has. Show that you appreciate the important role she plays in your family’s lives. (A verbal thank-you, a note, or homemade treats go a long way!)
  9. No jealousy. Try not to be jealous of your child’s attachment to their child care provider. Children who spend hours every day with a provider come to love that person. That attachment doesn’t diminish the love the child feels for you.
  10. No Surprises. Your child care providers shouldn’t learn on Friday that you have decided to take next week off from work so you won’t need her or pay her either. Child care providers don’t like surprises any better than parents do.