How do you 'judge'?

[Maza]

When you get approached by prospective families, what are your red flags (if any)? It's so hard isn't it - we take such a gamble on who we let into our settings. When I first started, an experienced childminder friend advised me not to accept anyone who tried to negotiate fees. I've stuck to that and it has served me well, lol. I also don't like it when parents don't respect my home and let the little ones disrespect it and don't pull them up. If they are non mobile babies though, they don't get chance to run riot, and I feel that we could 'train them up' by the time they are running around...

[loocyloo]

Yep ...
If anyone tries to negotiate on fees, or just allows their child to run riot in my house without attempting to stop them, then they automatically get a 'I don't think we'll work well together' message after the visit. (I'm not brave enough to do it whilst they are in my house!)
I'll give people the benefit of doubt if they don't turn up or are late for a visit, provided they let me know/are apologetic when they arrive/remember, but only once!
I'm also wary of those who 'tell' me that their child's routine must be strictly adhered to, and seem to think they can tell me what i do/ where i go/ who i see! I generally gently point out that i have several children to look after, and we all muddle along together making the best decisions for everyone, and that I decide who/what/where we go, and if they don't trust me in that, then I am not the place for them. One mum, years ago, wanted my weekly plan, the week before, so she could 'agree' the plans... didn't happen, as often my plans change on the day, or even whilst we are out and about!

But sometimes the nicest parents have children who turn out to be nightmares and equally, the nicest children can have nightmare parents

[Pixie dust]

It's such a minefield isn't it? I don't think parents realise we are checking them out just as much as they are checking us out. I often have a 'gut' feeling about parents I always remember one parent visiting and as soon as I opened the front door I knew I would not be able to work with them they were telling me how to do my job, how to talk to their child, needless to say the space had gone when she came back to me a week later To be honest I have been very lucky with most of my families.


I have recently taken on a new one just because they are friends of another family here and I am not so sure I did the right thing but agreed because the other family are lovely and been part of my setting for 9 years.

[loocyloo]

It's such a minefield isn't it? I don't think parents realise we are checking them out just as much as they are checking us out. I often have a 'gut' feeling about parents I always remember one parent visiting and as soon as I opened the front door I knew I would not be able


I have recently taken on a new one just because they are friends of another family here and I am not so sure I did the right thing but agreed because the other family are lovely and been part of my setting for 9 years.

Oh Pixie ... i did that... family were a nightmare! I really wasn't struck by the children... when they left a year later, original family, who were still with me, told me how pleased they were that they'd left, and that their children didn't really like the other children and how odd the parents were! Told mum she should have told me when they started! And i should have listened to my gut instinct!