COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS

[Mercury]

Just as a matter of interest, does anyone have any views on if and when exactly, we as CMs should advise parents of existing mindees, of a new child who is to start with you.

In the past, I have had some strange and mixed reactions and I wondered what your experiences are?

My parents know if I have a space as I tell them, and I also tell them if I have a prospective visit (I don't really need to tell them, but they notice that I've tidied the house and dusted, so will guess!)

They will always ask how a visit went, and everyone tends to get excited by the prospect of a new mindee. I also tell them when any new parent/mindee will be there, and warn them all to be on their best behaviour.

I have also always asked them if they are OK with me writing to Ofsted to request a variation to be allowed an extra child, as this could obviously affect their own child. No-one has ever had a problem with it.

Out of intereest Prisoner, have you generally been allowed your requested variations ? I am in process of doing this as a matter of some urgency !

Yes, I have always been given my requested variations, which has included one for "new business" (which they supposedly don't do). I am tempted to ask for something completely unacceptable, just to see if they would agree.

Good luck with your request!

i tell parents a new mindee is starting once contracts have been signed they are also so happy for me and its a new playmate for the children

I send out a monthly news letter and I would put it in there

What were the strange and mixed reactions?

when i took on a new mindee in november and had another one working their notice to leave in december, the mum asked me if i would reduce her fee significantly as now i had taken x on, i was earning more money!!!!!..this new child wasnt using anyones space it had previously been spare!..the cheek!
I have a little girl starting monday, shes in dd and one of my mindee's class and alll my older children go to the same school, so i have one drop off one pick up so doesnt mess any one around and as they kind of know eachother the parents think its nice

I really don't understand why some people don't want to pay a fair wage for someone who is looking after their child/ren.