Relationships with parents...

[sarah707]

If you had to give parents 2 (or more if you want to share...) pieces of advice about how to promote a good working relationship with you... what would they be?

Mine are -

- Pay me on time

- Be honest with me about what happens at home

I would appreciate your thoughts guys please!

[cathtee]

Same as you Sarah plus,

pass on any info that relates to childs nursery activities (if I don't take or collect)

Read the daily diary and answer any request made.

[FussyElmo]

Your two most definetly.

Others are.

Appreciate I do not just have your children.

A thank you goes a very long way.

[*daisychain*]

Just to show some appreciation when I go above and beyond my job

[Allie]

All the above and
Praise your child if I do eg if I tell you about something or show you their work and NEVER EVER leave their artwork in your car


Allie

[SammyL]

Agree with all &...

For parents to understand that their children aren't angelic 24/7!!

Telling the truth about home is very important to me Sarah as I have a serial fibber!!

[Christi]

If your child starts to play up when you arrive to collect them, please speak to them or I will, which will leave you looking slightly embarrased. They are your child, control them!
Don't quibble your invoice (unless I have actually *&*%*** it up)!

[karensmart4]

All the above,

Please appreciate your child's work .... not leave it all in their bag for weeks at a time, it does nothing for their self esteem

Pass information on either verbally, via email, text, message on my fb page or a note in your child's daily diary

[Nicola Carlyle]

All of the above.

Agree with being honest. It works wonders. I know no child is perfect or an angel so please just be honest.

Also please bare in mind that I have a life inside and outside my duties. My business is mine and I will decide how best to run it not you. While I am greatful for all my feedback ultimately the final decision is mine so please accept it.

[Helcatt]

Its got to be.........

Honesty about what is going on at home! If child hyperventilates until she is sick to get her own way, I would like to know - or if she is making herself sick by any other means. Or with another parent this week - hand foot and mouth - nice of her to tell us, it was the nursery where big brother goes that told us. Or if the child that we are trying to settle in screams all the time at home too, its not just that she is unhappy with us - this only came out as we were asking questions about strategies that mum uses so we could mirror, and she must have known we were building up to giving notice if things did not improve soon!

Mini rant there - sorry

Let me know if you are running late - drop off or collection

Hx

[hectors house]

Essential handover info for little ones who can't tell you themselves.

What time did they wake up and did they sleep well?
Did they eat breakfast this morning?

This info can make or break your morning and helps me plan whether or not we are going to toddlers in plenty of time - I don't want to think I am going and then find someone has crashed out sound asleep on the sofa!

[MessybutHappy]

Don't respond to every positive statement I make about your child with "oh yes, x has done that for ages" in a tone of voice that really means "I know my child better than you do, you can't tell me anything new and even if you do I won't listen because you are "just" a cm"....just try, just occasionally, to celebrate your wonderful child with me!

And ASK, don't assume!!!

[wendywu]

Listen to what i am saying and above all trust me

[kats]

Mine would be:

Please dont bring your child to me when you know they are ill and then when i have to ring for you to collect tell me they have been fine at home!!!

Treat my home with respect and dont just walk in as if you own the place!!

[shortstuff]

Simples. Trust and open two way conversations :-)

[mrs robbie williams]

agree with all the above especially the appreciation and occasional thank you - oh and definitely agree with realise i have a life outside childminding

[Donkey]

agree with all of the above...

will add

please don't mask your child being ill with calpol

it might not 'just be teeth'

a 'thank you' goes a long way

as does a 'I am sorry I am late'

so does 'I am sorry I have not paid you on time..... again'

'Wow that's amazing news, you work so hard for my child here is a celebratory gift....' - I bet £50 I don't get one of these #seepostinlounge

[loocyloo]

all the above!

but i think honesty is a big one.

i once had (full time) siblings who were generally fine, & it was generally dad who did drop off & collection ... after a week of hell, on the friday a mum at school said to the schoolie - ''oh, mummy gets home tonight, you must be missing her'' ... as my jaw dropped open, she said '' didn't you know mummy had been in france since last weekend ? " ... no! and when i asked dad on collection, apparently it wasn't any of my business and i didn't need to know !!! i said that actually, in order to care for his children it would have been useful to know the little 18mth old might just be missing mummy! he did look a tad sheepish at that! but they still never told me anything!

[Bananabrain]

Appreciate that just because I am 'only a childminder' doesn't mean I'm thick! I am actually quite bright you know
Don't just 'pitch up when you feel like it' I have other children too and it makes my life very difficult if you don't let me know when you are coming.
Am I only allowed 2? I could go on all day

[jelly15]

Realise that just because you pay me does not make me your emploee - you are paying for my (excellent) service.

Understand that CMing is not a vocation - it is a career I (mostly) enjoy and give my all to, so please pay me on time and in full. I have bills too.