offer parents (on a visit) a drink?

[Snowwhite]

As the title says,when you have a parent or a couple come to visit you at your home if they are intersted in a place for their child or children then do you offer a cup of tea/coffe or a cold drink? I personally have never done this and perhaps its stems from my nursery background where you aren't meant to have hot drinks around children. Its never occured to me to make parents a drink and i also think that that is time thats taken away from you being able to interact with the child and parent,and also keep an eye on any usual minded children if the parent came in the daytime. Plus i wouldn't want the visitees child trying to grab hold of the hot mug.
Well my husband has had a dig at me as he was present (but doing his work in a seperate room) & asked me later on if i'd offered the couple a tea/coffee. (they had just been to see me about a place for their baby) I said no & told him my reasons and he didnt agree & said i should be offering a drink. Told him in so many words to mind his own business,but is he right?
Thanks

[caz3007]

I always offer them my policy folder whilst I make a cuppa. I am lucky my kitchen is off my cm room, so can see and hear all what's going on

[Kaybeaa]

Personally I offer a drink as usually the parents are just round for an informal chat and I think it helps break the ice and make it more of a home environment for the parents which they seem to like. I do always drink mine and ask parents to drink theirs at the dining room table though and away from the children. Never occurred to me not to offer to be honest!

[Mouse]

I offer them a drink and leave them while I go off to the kitchen. It gives them chance to have a look through my folders and have a quick chat without me there!

[kellyskidz!]

I do too, and when I pass it to them I usually say something like 'I'll put you a coaster on the unit (which is higher up than kids can reach) just in case' I suppose it just reminds them its a hot drink... And that I don't want ring marks on my windowsill! To be honest though I also hadn't given it too much thought, just an automatic 'would you like a drink' comes out immediately as soon as they walk through the door, like Tourette's!:blush:

[rickysmiths]

Yes I always offer a drink but then I never interview when I am working.

[smurfette]

I am same as you op. Never do, even had parents around in an evening last week with no kids and didn't really think of it., exactly for same reasons, it's dangerous around little ones (usually they visit in evening but have their own Los with them) .. I also trained in a nursery! And because it's time consuming and takes you away from
Them

[kellib]

I do offer, never had anyone want tea or coffee yet! Most of them ask for a glass of water though.

[maisiemog]

Always offer one but if I interview when working we sit at the dining table. Very few people ask for a hot drink though. Usually water.

[Snowwhite]

Thats good to get peoples feedback and it seems most say to offer a drink.Perhaps i'll go with offering a cold drink as opposed to a hot one.I could actually do with water with all the talking i do when trying to impress a potential customer and their child!

[primula]

I do offer, never had anyone want tea or coffee yet! Most of them ask for a glass of water though.
Same here!!

[k1rstie]

I would not have offered either. I would have hoped my husband had stuck his head round the door to say hello to the parents, then he could have asked, then make us all a drink!!!

[silvermist]

I always offer parents a drink tea, coffee, water but I never arrange to meet them when im working. X

[line6]

I'd always offer. If mindees are present, or my children as well as new children, I'd be cautious where I put a hot drink but surely a parent would be just as cautious? Mrs O had a coffee with my mindee here but we did mention when putting it down where it would be out of danger. I guess there's no right or wrong but I always offer a drink to people visiting me and would have problems asking people to be careful and consider where they were putting it if necessary.

[hectors house]

I don't offer a drink as I do invite the parents to come round when I am working, in order to make the drink I would have to leave the front room and I won't leave the mindees with potential parents - I would still be able to hear but couldn't see so wouldn't be happy with that. I also wouldn't want them to think that I invite other people round and drink tea all day, I am not very good at drinking during the day - have only had a glass of squash since breakfast, so although I make sure children have regular drinks or can access water jug by themselves I just forget to offer adults drinks as I am rarely thirsty!

[JCrakers]

I don't :D

[CookieCutter]

I offer a cold drink and explain why I don't offer hot drinks (children), then usually make a 'joke' about not being able to make very good tea or coffee as I'm american/ don't drink it myself (I say 'joke' because it's more truth than joke!) I usually make sure to find time to bake some homemade cookies before a parent visit as after several visits, I randomly made cookies for 2 and those 2 signed up!

[FloraDora]

I have tried to do first visit when I do not have children, my husband always says hello and asks about drinks, he has usually made a fat free cake, or fruit flapjacks etc... selling the fact that we bake cook everything from scratch and are aware of healthy eating.
If they visit when children are here I still offer but give them a cool side lidded cup and explain why, also placed strategically.

[bunyip]

I find parents only get into the mood to sign with me when they're well into the second bottle of vodka. :D

[Snowwhite]

Great answer bunyip!

[Simona]

These are people we 'have' invited to our setting, possibly spoken to them or emailed them...and are potential customers...what is wrong with offering some hospitality and making them a drink...whether hot or cold?
Surely they will have enough sense not to be going around with a hot mug in their hands?

Great to offer cake or some nibbles...why not? first impressions are important

Yes Bunyip ...a fortified drink may work too when it comes to signing on the dotted line!!

[silvermist]

I find parents only get into the mood to sign with me when they're well into the second bottle of vodka. :D

Typical bunyip! That made me choke on my cuppa! Hahahaha :)

[FussyElmo]

Typical bunyip! That made me choke on my cuppa! Hahahaha :)

Please dont you mean your vodka xx

[silvermist]

Please dont you mean your vodka xx

Oh trust u to butt in lol. Ok, you're right, my vodka! ;)

[FussyElmo]

Oh trust u to butt in lol. Ok, you're right, my vodka! ;)

You know me never miss a comment

[silvermist]

Oh I know you alright my lovely! :)

[bunyip]

Please dont you mean your vodka xx

I don't touch the stuff. I'm far too health-conscious.

Bunyip's 5-a-day plan:

3 pints cider
1 pint perry
1 bag of cheese & onion*



*well, crisps is vegetables too. :huh:

[Bluebell]

I do offer but often forget to if I'm busy with paperwork, talking, children. I sit on the floor with the children so don't have one myself but if parent wants one I will make. I always make a point of putting out of reach and saying its up here when you 're ready for it and I try and ensure my mindees stay well away and aren't running round like mad things. Its often the parents own child who tries and climb up parent while they are drinking!

I recently know of an incident where a baby was at a family gathering and an aunt spilt boiling hot tea over the baby. Severe burns, hospital trip, possible scarring....Its the adults that need training / telling more than the kids imo

[wee_elf]

Do you think parents would be offended if I offered them a hot drink in a thermos type mug with a lid? x

[bunyip]

Well, we're childminders. Perhaps the parents are expecting a sippy-cup? :rolleyes:

[wee_elf]

lol and a bib perhaps?...;)

[karen m]

I have never offered a drink, whilst parents are looking through my paperwork I tend to interact with the child

[ziggy]

I never offer a drink. Usually just invite them into playroom and interact with child while they look at paper work and ask questions.

[Snowwhite]

I have never offered a drink, whilst parents are looking through my paperwork I tend to interact with the child

Yes thats what i have been doing,and why the thought of offering a drink has never crossed my mind.The majority though has said they do offer and find most say no or yes to a glass of water.

[Snowwhite]

I never offer a drink. Usually just invite them into playroom and interact with child while they look at paper work and ask questions.

Glad its not just me then!

[dawn100]

I never offer drinks whilst I'm working, there is no where high up to put them out of childrens reach and I would have to leave strangers alone with mindees or take my mindees out to the kitchen with me so not really practical. I only tend to have a cup or tea for myself whilst I'm preparing meals or snacks of whilst children are sleeping. I tend to spend most of the visit sat on the floor interacting with the potential child so a cup of tea doesn't fit into that scenario! However if oarents want to come back in the evening to discuss policies and paperwork in detail then the tea and coffee is flowing freely to help my brain work and stay awake!