Articles from GBE Friends

Sometimes I make suggestions, comments or just plain have a rant on a day care providers discussion forum. Recently, I read a post about a child who was deliberately damaging day care property, everything from toys, to day care furniture and including personal items belonging to the provider. Parental responses have been confined to nervous laughs, half hearted chastening of the little boy followed by 'meaningful' apologies from the child but no serious discussion nor offer of reparation. The provider is pretty distraught at this point. Over $200 worth of property has been destroyed by the child to date. Unfortunately, dealing with difficult behavior can be a staple of day care life and can lead to some unpleasant situations.

Difficult and challenging behaviors can be a tough fact of day care life. The reasons for said behaviors can be various but all need to be dealt with from the outset in a firm and consistent manner. When it becomes clear that a child is being continuously disruptive, destructive and aggresive it is time to 'meet the parents'. Dealing successfully with any challenging behavior necessitates parental cooperation.

Discussion will uncover if similar behavior occurs in the home, if there is a root cause that can help all parties better understand the triggers and reasons for the behavior. Most importantly though, the parent/provider meeting will ensure that a mutual behavior plan is on the table and everyone is on the same page. It is pointless if you are being consistent and constructive in your handling of the child if the same positive actions are not dealt out at home.

Use your behavior policy (you do have one right??) as an outline for formulating an individual plan. Ensure that you put in place a time frame for implementation and a deadline for reevaluation. It is helpful also to include in your parent handbook/contract details of situations where parents will be expected to cough up for 'over the top' damages caused by their child.

Also, consider inserting the 'I've had enough' clause when, due to lack of parental cooperation and/or insurmountable behavior issues you will withdraw your service. Requesting professional help may sometimes be necessary and does not indicate failure on the part of either party- sometimes it is the only, constructive way forward.

Find out about childcare from Fiona Lohrenz who has run her own day care for the past 10 years. She incorporates all that knowledge into her website and her 'Start a ChildCare Business' DVD guide: Start A Day Care Business DVD Find her at: ChildCareOnly.com