teenas tiny tots

We're in this together
Parents and providers should work as a team to raise your child. Communicate as
much as possible about current phases, behavior issues, new skills, new food likes or
dislikes, and anything else that is important to your child's happiness and
development.

Some things take time
It may take up to three weeks for a child to adjust to a new environment. Keep this in
mind when starting or changing childcare providers. Work with the provider to help
make the transition as easy as possible for your child. Be supportive and comfort your
child. Your child may be a little extra cuddly when starting something new. Help them
know that everything will be ok and they'll be off and playing in no time.

Getting a good start
Start your child off right with a clean diaper and a full belly. No provider wants to be
greeted with last night's diaper. Talk with your provider to see if they will give your
child breakfast or if your child should have eaten before arriving. Help your child get a
great start to their day by having them ready to go when you drop them off.

It's the little things
Make sure your child is stocked with all the little things they may need through the day
- diapers, wipes, mittens, hats, socks, favorite toy, etc. Talk with your provider and
make sure you both agree on what the parent sends with the child and what the
provider provides. It's often easier to leave a supply of diapers and wipes at your
daycare. That way, if you send one too few diapers with your child, your provider isn't
left in a difficult situation.

It's just a little sniffle
Balancing work and a child is hard. Balancing work and a sick child is even harder. If
your child is sick, keep them home. One runny nose at the beginning of the day often
means runny noses for all the kids in care by the end of the day. Medicine often only
masks the symptoms and your child can still get the other children sick. Your provider
and the other children's parents will thank you for keeping your sick child home. Even
though you may have to miss work, enjoy the extra snuggles and cuddles and know
that being comforted by mom or dad will help your little one get healthy.

I thought we had a meeting
Please keep the appointments you make. This is especially true for new parents who
schedule appointments to interview potential providers. If for any reason you are
unable to make it, or you found another provider, please call and cancel your
appointment. Working in a meeting around the schedules of a several children is hard,
and it's courteous to let the provider know you won't be coming, so they can adjust
their day and their schedule.

Is now a good time to talk?
Have you tried having an important phone conversation when your children are
running laps around the house? It's hard. Same goes for your provider. If you want to
have an important or lengthy conversation with them, ask for a good time to call.
Sometimes this is at nap time, and sometime it's at night.

Please wipe your feet
Be respectful that while your provider is running a business, it's also their home. Wipe
your feet, shake umbrellas outside, leave your shoes at the door - anything you can
do to help keep the house clean is appreciated.

We have a schedule around here
Managing several kids takes scheduling for the day to go smoothly. If you are
dropping your child off after meal time is over, make sure they have a full belly. If
you're dropping off or picking up during naptime, try to be as quiet as possible. If
children should be dropped off by a certain time in the morning, or picked up by a
certain time at night, follow those times as close as possible. If you're going to be
early or late, call your provider and let them know.

Let's talk money
Your provider is caring for your child, but they are also running a business. Make sure
you pay on time, whatever schedule has been agreed to by both you and the provider.
If you think you are going to have trouble paying on time, talk with your provider and
work out a solution.