For a daycare - how would you get parents to bring in all the required paperwork?

Question

I'm an administrative assistant for a daycare and I have to take care of all of the required paperwork for all of the children (about 55 children) - have to make sure the paperwork is updated and new enrollees have all their paperwork too. We have children from ages 1 year to 5 years old (young toddler to preschool). It's crunch time for all of the paperwork to be in for Pre-K students because it all has to be done by the end of August.

I'm at my wits end with a lot of the parents because we (assistant director and I) have reminded them ("ambushed" them when they drop off or pick up their children and and/or called them) that they need to come in to fill out paperwork, need to update their child health assessments, need their income proof for one month (for Pre-K Counts free child care), etc....and it doesn't seem to get through to them. If we were to refuse to admit their children without all the paperwork, I think we'd go out of business but I know we are required by the school district and law to have all of it in! All the director suggested to me was to bug them - calling them every single day (which makes my job 100 times harder, already completely stressed out now) - until they finally bring them in. I don't think that would work....doesn't seem to work with tuition payments with a few parents either. Our director has health problems so she has only been coming in once a week - the center is looking to hire another full-time director (in essence, firing her).

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle parents who refuse to cooperate like this? There are even a few parents who made appointments with me to get it all done and they didn't show up (didn't call to reschedule)! I know it's not fair to the parents to take time off work to do all of the paperwork but it's also not fair to me if they make appointments and then don't show up. I'm normally part-time but stay later if parents make appointments with me.

Answer 1

It may sound harsh but I'd simply tell the parents if you don't have the proper paperwork you can't take care of their child.



Post a notice on the front door and when a parent comes to drop off the child remind them about it.



I remember one time years ago when I was in school my parents didn't have some important papers & I couldn't go to school until they did.

Answer 2

I worked at clerk and did what your doing for 3 years at a daycare. I normally stopped them at the door as there children were getting ready to leave. I had then fill out the short hand paperwork right then and there. I would give them the ultimatum. Saying that this is when this is due and if it's not done we will not be able to keep your child enrolled here. That's how it was at the daycare I worked at and when parents hear that they jumped to get the stuff done asap.

Answer 3

I don't know want exactly to say. I would write a message and leave every where espically where parents can see it every time they walked in. Saying you need to come and see me has soon has possible. And same message stating saying See me ( your name) has soon has possible. Then when they come to give them the paper work with a pen. Tell them they can't leave without filling the paperwork now. Then they do it. If they said they don't then say sorry we no longer allowed to watch your child till this paper work is filled out.

I agree with your other people on here are saying.

Answer 4

Set up a table in the lobby with all the paperwork the parents need to fill out and then "ambush" the parents at pick up time. If you have everything they need right there they will be more likely to do it. It might also help if you have snacks available. Good luck!

Answer 5

Were you married to the father? If not, then you'll need an affidavit of parentage, birth certificate (probably your and the child's), and I think you'll need social security cards, and probably information on where you work, if you're working. If you don't want to waste a day at the court house, maybe you should go overly prepared with billing statements, rent/mortgage payments, insurance information. Good luck.

Answer 6

i would send a mass memo with all the kids and set a deadline for when ALL paperwork must be in and tell them anyone who didnt have the required papers work by that date had to make other arrangements because they could no longer leave their kids there without it.



harsh? maybe, but how many times have you asked them to have it in? everyone else has found time to do it and so can they. if they want you to be responsible for their kids they need to be responsible for their end.

Answer 7

I would tell them you NEED the paperwork, otherwise the child can't come. Plain and simple.

Answer 8

If they don't have the proper paper work i wouldn't accept the child. I would try and help them get the papework but other than that if they don't get it their child can't come.