How to Deal With a Parental Situation at a Daycare

There comes a time in every daycare provider's career when a difficult parental situation arises. You could be dealing with friction between you and a parent or a child's behavioral issue. No matter the exact issue, remember to separate your own emotions from the situation and remain objective. Parents love their children and thus will naturally react defensively if there is an issue at day care, so it is your job to create a calm environment where it can be discussed and resolved.

Instructions

    • 1

      Schedule a meeting with the parents in a private place. If more than one child's parent is involved in the situation, meet with each parent individually. Bring detailed notes about the situation to the meeting.

    • 2

      Explain the details of the situation objectively. Remember to keep your emotions separate and remain calm even if a parent does not. Keep your tone neutral and understanding. Avoid language that blames the parent or is offensive.

    • 3

      Explain your perspective. You might say, "From my perspective, it seemed like..." Allow the parents time to digest the information and then ask for their perspective and opinions. Be understanding if the parents become emotional or defensive.

    • 4

      Discuss ways to solve the problem. Ask open-ended questions like, "What solution would be ideal for you?" Offer suggestions and try to work together to find a solution that works for all parties involved. If you cannot come to an agreement, offer to give each other time to consider all the options and schedule another meeting.

    • 5

      Follow-up regularly with either a phone call or a face-to-face meeting to make sure the situation has been resolved to everyone's satisfaction. Set aside a few minutes for a private meeting if it has not been resolved. Maintain strong communication to prevent further problems.

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