Parents Bringing All The Kids To The Interview

[Momboss]

When you are doing interviews for an infant spot, or any spot, and the parent brings the siblings to the interview…how do you handle that? Do you allow their kids to play with the toys, mess up the room?
im interviewing for an infant spot and the parent needs to bring all 3 kids. I rather nothing gets touched because i have to sanitize all over again and the interview ends up taking longer because the kids are playing. Its one thing if the interview was for a 3 yr old and they brought the 3 yr old and they started playing, but when its kids not even going to be part of the daycare..i find it annoying.

[GirlMomma]

It bothers me, too. I would say something like this:

“Client, since we’ll be going over a contract and the policies I have in place, I think it would benefit both of us if limit all other distractions. I would prefer the other children stay with a family member or friend. This way, we can buzz right thru it. Thank you for understanding!”

You’ll find out 1) if she follows policies and 2) if she has back-up care available.

[SandBox]

Either do what Girlmomma said or let them come and tell them no playing in the playroom because you’ve already sanitized them for the day. You can tell the parent ahead of time too that playroom will be closed off. If you have a fenced back yard and a swing set, maybe the older kids can play outside?

[Blackcat31]

When you are doing interviews for an infant spot, or any spot, and the parent brings the siblings to the interview…how do you handle that? Do you allow their kids to play with the toys, mess up the room?
im interviewing for an infant spot and the parent needs to bring all 3 kids. I rather nothing gets touched because i have to sanitize all over again and the interview ends up taking longer because the kids are playing. Its one thing if the interview was for a 3 yr old and they brought the 3 yr old and they started playing, but when its kids not even going to be part of the daycare..i find it annoying.

This makes me think she has no back up care

Id try to schedule a time she can have someone else watch her other 3 kids

If that’s not possible I’d explain that her kids will need to remain seated or near her and won’t be allowed to play with your toys due to sanitary rules.

Or maybe put out a few things (books, crayons and paper or a single bin of blocks) they can play with and limit their ability to do anything else

[BeeNature]

I usually let them bring a sibling and offer a few select toys to play with depending on age. I may start asking them to not bring any siblings as I've had a couple recent interviews where it became a big distraction.
One family had a three year old (we were interviewing for an infant spot) and he kept needing to use the bathroom and so Mom was in the bathroom with him for half the interview while I talked to the Dad.
Another family brought two older brothers (5 and 6) - was interviewing for the younger sister (3). The oldest is a classmate of my daughter's who we had one playdate with last year - and only one for a reason. The boys were complete terrors and getting into everything! And even followed my son (who was trying to get away from them) down the hallway to his bedroom and went in uninvited. My poor oldest daughter was trying her best to keep them out of my youngest daughter's toy box after I repeatedly told them those toys were off limits. The Mom and Step Dad were completely unphased and acting like nothing was happening. Totally distracting from the interview as I was constantly having to tell their boys to stop doing this and that, or that's not allowed here! My own two oldest kids usually go to their bedrooms during the interview, but since they knew the oldest from school they thought they would stay out and play with them during the interview. I had a feeling due to how the oldest was when he came over the one time to play that it was going to be an interesting interview. I thought I would give the daughter a try because I know so many siblings who are complete opposites - and this was no exception. The daughter was perfectly behaved the whole time. I did one trial day with her before we signed a contract just to be safe. She has been here for a month and so far so good - we have another three year old and they are now good friends! But, yeah I would seriously consider telling them not to bring the siblings because 3 kids can definitely be too much in my recent experience!

[Springvalley]

Blackcat31 can you send me an email please csewell472@gmail.com
thanks so much

[Blackcat31]

Springvalley Sent you an email!

[Alwaysgreener]

Some things that I have done is to have a coloring sheet ready at the table for the kids.

Or I give the tour first and end the tour outside on the porch. Then insist on sitting at the table outside to talk.

[JaeB]

I am currently going through this now I interviewed for spot for a four year old who has three older siblings 7 8 and 11 the 4 year old acts a whole lot older than your average 4 year old but only by way of language but her 7-8-year-old sister and brother ripped through my daycare like a damn tornado why Mom couldn't get any control over them. I did end up taking the 4-year-old but now I have to address the siblings coming in taking all the toys out running through each room and a whole bunch of stuff that Mom couldn't control so now when they come in my baby gate will be up and the only toys that they are allowed to play with are the toys in the big room where we have dismissal

[Coloradoprovider]

JaeB: Don't allow siblings to come in, they are perfectly capable of standing outside the door for the brief time that the youngest is signed out. When mom comes tell her that you are changing the drop-off/pick-up procedure. Be matter-of-fact and don't apologize for your rules. Your space, your rules.