When parent interviews go bad!!
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  21
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 24
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    By the sea
    Posts
    9,334
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default When parent interviews go bad!!

    I had a family round this morning, interested in my last EYs space.

    The little boy was lovey and parents seemed pleased with everything they saw. As they were leaving we walked into the hall and there was an horrendous smell - the cat had pooed on mat inside the front door. I'd been telling them we had an old cat who was never any bother, yet here he was, waiting to go outside AFTER he'd plopped on the floor

    Luckily I could pick the mat up and put it outside to deal with later, but the smell lingered all the time we were talking - and we all stood there pretending not to notice

    So, what have been your worst parent interviews?

  2. Likes Maza, Ripeberry, mumofone liked this post
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    DERBY
    Posts
    60
    Registered Childminder since
    JUN 16
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Ohhhh boohoo. Animals lol.

    Mines everything my 2 year old is present. She threw a toy a a ten month old today. We are well and truly in terrible twos!

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    341
    Registered Childminder since
    Dec 87
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Mine was the opposite and it was the prospective mindee that had awful behaviour! She was 3 or 4 (can't remember) and tried to snatch toys out of other children's hands in front of mum and me! She managed it as she was older and I intervened as mum didn't then myself and mindee had a tug of war over the toy! I didn't expect this and told this child that is not the way we behave here but she carried on then having a major meltdown. She screamed that she didn't want to go home when mum got up to leave and I was gobsmacked when mum said she would like her to come here and if it worked out she wanted to send her twin boys as well!! In the end when she came she was lovely, no horrible behaviour and was good as gold.

    Unfortunately after about 6 months when I had accommodated early starts which I really don't like, with not much notice given, dad suddenly decided I was charging too much for the early starts and wanted me to lower my fee ( I charge double before 8 and after 6) and tried to tell me I was ripping them off! Needless to say I terminated the contract after arguing with him on my doorstep and him being very unreasonable.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    3,753
    Registered Childminder since
    Mar 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Oh cat mess really, really stinks!

    Nothing as bad as that but my DD, who must have been almost three, stood and did a wee on the floor right near where a baby was playing. She was easy to potty train and never had accidents and so she must have done it on purpose for attention. I was mortified and was thinking, "Oh no, what's the most hygienic way to deal with this?" Something I would just normally take in my stride if no one was there. It didn't phase the parents though.

    Another time she was really awful to a crawling baby and took every toy off her, saying 'mine' and she was never, ever like that normally - usually it's the other way round, bless her. I was mortified and just couldn't get her to behave. The mum didn't get back to me and I often wonder if it was because of DD. Thankfully, about a year later she was at the same playgroup as me. There were only a handful of mums there and so everyone could see what everyone else was up to. DD was being really, really sweet to my crawling baby mindee all session and a few people commented on it right in front of the other mum. I was so happy that she was there that day!

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,978
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 13
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I had a parent arrive who dictated everything she wanted , she was moving her child from a nursery as she wasn't happy with them and they could not accommodate her wishes. I kept calm and continually talked about my practise, informed her I wasn't prepared to cook a tea as I offer afternoon snack only, I wasn't cooking a full English type breakfast either. I went through my behaviour management principles as I got the gist this was the issue at the nursery and she bulldozed her thoughts of " well I wouldn't want you to do this with.." At the end she said I had made the short list and she would be in touch...I replied that I unfortunately didn't think I was the best setting to accommodate her wishes and so I thought it best for her not to get in touch with me. She ignored me and preceded to ask when it would be best to bring her husband round to interview me....
    I very politely said that these meetings were a two way system and that she had not passed my shortlisting and I would not be offering her a place.
    She was not pleased and text me several times a few weeks later ( when I expect her shortlisted childminders had all declined) .

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Surrounded by pesky Smurfs
    Posts
    4,551
    Registered Childminder since
    Ex CM
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Non childminder member
    01/01/09
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I had a family asking for care for a three year old. He was with both his parents and they seemed keen to sign him up. The boy however was a bit 'strange' and on edge. Anyway it ended with him being sick on my front lawn.
    To cut a long story short, it seemed that he had severe anxiety and had never been left with anyone else before and that was his way of dealing with it. At the time I thought he had a bug.
    Never took him on as my other family had to change days and I 'didn't suit them anymore'.
    Need a laugh? Visit my website: www.unclegargy.deviantART.com

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    198
    Registered Childminder since
    Feb 15
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
    I had a family round this morning, interested in my last EYs space.

    The little boy was lovey and parents seemed pleased with everything they saw. As they were leaving we walked into the hall and there was an horrendous smell - the cat had pooed on mat inside the front door. I'd been telling them we had an old cat who was never any bother, yet here he was, waiting to go outside AFTER he'd plopped on the floor

    Luckily I could pick the mat up and put it outside to deal with later, but the smell lingered all the time we were talking - and we all stood there pretending not to notice

    So, what have been your worst parent interviews?
    The first family that came to see me went really well when the mum cane to visit. She then asked if the Dad could visit after work at about 5.30. I should've realised that would be a disaster! I had tired, hyper, over excited children running around and jumping on each other. Not their normal behaviour but enough to convince the Dad his 8 month old DD would probably get squashed! I never heard from them again but bumped into the nanny they'd taken on a few months later so they obviously thought one to one care was more suitable!

  9. Likes Maza liked this post
  10. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Cheshire
    Posts
    37,504
    Registered Childminder since
    1994
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    21

    Default

    My son used to derail interviews - he'd half hear something and argue with me!

    I ended up using bribery and where possible sending him off on play dates whenever I had parents coming round

  11. Likes Maza, mumofone, Kiddleywinks liked this post
  12. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    3,251
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sarah707 View Post
    My son used to derail interviews - he'd half hear something and argue with me!

    I ended up using bribery and where possible sending him off on play dates whenever I had parents coming round
    Its strangely reassuring to know that even the best childminders encounter this from their own children! x

  13. Likes sarah707 liked this post
  14. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    3,251
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
    I had a family round this morning, interested in my last EYs space.

    The little boy was lovey and parents seemed pleased with everything they saw. As they were leaving we walked into the hall and there was an horrendous smell - the cat had pooed on mat inside the front door. I'd been telling them we had an old cat who was never any bother, yet here he was, waiting to go outside AFTER he'd plopped on the floor

    Luckily I could pick the mat up and put it outside to deal with later, but the smell lingered all the time we were talking - and we all stood there pretending not to notice

    So, what have been your worst parent interviews?
    Lol oh god, i would have been mortified!!

  15. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    in the never never land fighting off fae
    Posts
    7,026
    Registered Childminder since
    july05
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    9

    Default

    When ds who was 7 decided to try and manipulate the situation and get me to buy him call of duty.

    Needless to say he had a full on tantrum saying I was the worse mum in the world all his friends had it - however mum signed as she was impressed I didnt give in to him and also i wouldnt allow him the game.

    Hes 9 now still isnt allowed the game
    When someone tells you nothing is impossible, tell them to go slam a revolving door

  16. Likes Maza, Kiddleywinks liked this post
  17. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    at my computer, of course
    Posts
    4,986
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 11
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I had my youngest granddaughter here during a parent visit.

    My granddaughter went to the toilet and came out to say, "Bunyip, I flushed the toilet and washed and dried my hands properly, like you taught me....."

    (Ah, good girl, thought I - and how what a good impression.)

    She continued, ".....oh, and I left a 'floatie' in there.)


  18. Likes Kiddleywinks liked this post
  19. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Tunbridge Wells, Kent
    Posts
    1,378
    Registered Childminder since
    Sept 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I went to make them a cuppa, came back in and my cat was sat in front of their beautiful little baby licking its bum and they were looking disgusted, that was the end of that one, I roared with laughter when they left....

    Then there was the fateful appointment that I forgot someone was coming, need I say more, it was the one day I decided to not to clear up before lunch and we had been building dens in the front room with blankets, I hadn't washed up etc etc.....

  20. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    8,359
    Registered Childminder since
    oct 02
    Latest Inspection Grade
    outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sarah707 View Post
    My son used to derail interviews - he'd half hear something and argue with me!

    I ended up using bribery and where possible sending him off on play dates whenever I had parents coming round
    Me too ... even now I have to make sure my children are not around! Dd in particular is dreadful for telling me what I should or shouldn't be saying!

    Years ago I had a mum with a bump come for a visit ... the only time she could come was right at teatime ... for 7 children ... it was chaos, my normally well behaved mindees turned feral!-even throwing food, which they had never done before. The LOs then proceeded to climb all over the furniture and this new mum. I was mortified and then astonished when mum asked me to care for babe when it arrived!
    Apparently I had stayed so calm and relaxed and the children had been so friendly and polite, she just knew it was the place for her ( stayed for 5 years and 2nd child came too ... only left because I moved away! )

    I wasn't calm and relaxed underneath!

  21. Likes Ripeberry liked this post
  22. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    3,857
    Registered Childminder since
    Oct 97
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Not a child or animal de railing the interview but a parent - I once had an interview with mummy with a bump, we got chatting and I mentioned something about work, she looked puzzled "but you don't work you just play all day". Needless to say she didn't make my short list and text me several times over the years to try and get me to care for her 'little angel'.

  23. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    By the sea
    Posts
    9,334
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by blue bear View Post
    Not a child or animal de railing the interview but a parent - I once had an interview with mummy with a bump, we got chatting and I mentioned something about work, she looked puzzled "but you don't work you just play all day". Needless to say she didn't make my short list and text me several times over the years to try and get me to care for her 'little angel'.
    I once had a mum ask if I had another job or if this was all I did! I gave her the benefit of the doubt as she was a new mum and had never used childcare before. I ended up having her son for 4 years.

    My worst experience I had with a parent was when a large lady visited. She suddenly felt sick and dashed off to the toilet. Unfortunately she was a little too big to fit through the stairgate, got herself wedged in it and pulled it off the wall. She was mortified and very apologetic while I said it was DH's fault for not fitting it properly! I didn't ever hear from her again, but I've always hoped she got over the embarrassment and has managed to laugh about it since.

  24. Likes Maza liked this post
  25. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1,573
    Registered Childminder since
    July 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
    I once had a mum ask if I had another job or if this was all I did! I gave her the benefit of the doubt as she was a new mum and had never used childcare before. I ended up having her son for 4 years. My worst experience I had with a parent was when a large lady visited. She suddenly felt sick and dashed off to the toilet. Unfortunately she was a little too big to fit through the stairgate, got herself wedged in it and pulled it off the wall. She was mortified and very apologetic while I said it was DH's fault for not fitting it properly! I didn't ever hear from her again, but I've always hoped she got over the embarrassment and has managed to laugh about it since.
    There's quite a few minders near me who are part time and have other jobs too. So maybe she just thought you had another job as had met others who had?

  26. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    By the sea
    Posts
    9,334
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by samb View Post
    There's quite a few minders near me who are part time and have other jobs too. So maybe she just thought you had another job as had met others who had?
    No, she really did think childminding was like babysitting and I just did it as a little hobby! She was surprised I didn't have a 'proper' job and actually said "oh, you don't work then?" She did admit sometime later that she'd had no idea what was involved in childminding. She wrote me a lovely reference for my Ofsted inspection and said that all I'd done for them was way above what they'd ever expected

  27. Likes Maza liked this post
  28. #19
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1,573
    Registered Childminder since
    July 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
    No, she really did think childminding was like babysitting and I just did it as a little hobby! She was surprised I didn't have a 'proper' job and actually said "oh, you don't work then?" She did admit sometime later that she'd had no idea what was involved in childminding. She wrote me a lovely reference for my Ofsted inspection and said that all I'd done for them was way above what they'd ever expected
    Oh no! Most people I meet don't understand fully what a childminder does but to say you don't even work?! My goodness!

  29. #20
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    3,753
    Registered Childminder since
    Mar 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by samb View Post
    Oh no! Most people I meet don't understand fully what a childminder does but to say you don't even work?! My goodness!
    Sooo many people (well, mainly my in-laws) have said to me, "Do you think you'll ever go back to work?" I am currently working in a school and just last week hubby's brother said, "Oh, have you gone back to work?". I sweetly said, "Well I always WAS working but now I'm not working at home". We'll never win that battle with some people!

 

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Quick Links and Advertisements

Important Information Links
Some Useful Quick Links
Advertisements

 

You can also find us on:
When parent interviews go bad!! When parent interviews go bad!! When parent interviews go bad!!

We use cookies to make this site as useful as possible. They are small text files placed in your browser to track usage of our site but they don’t tell us who you are.
By continuing to use this site you are consenting to cookies being placed on your computer. Find out more here: Cookies in Use

Childminding Help and the Childminding Forum are part of Childcare.co.uk