This year we decided to plant sunflowers. Big giant sunflowers. While this may seem like a small thing to people who are successful gardeners, it is a huge undertaking for me. Growing things from the ground is way harder for me than growing things from an idea. Let's put it in perspective by saying I have been able to grow ONE houseplant successfully - ever!
While I may not be a successful gardener, I am successful at growing other things. One of the things I am most successful in growing is relationships. A frequent topic when talking with other child care providers is how to fill openings in their child care programs. When they ask me how I stay full and have families that stay from birth to school, I tell them it is through relationship development. No matter how well you get along with the child you have to have a successful partnership with the parent as well. It takes time and effort to "plant a successful parent garden."
With any kind of planting, the first step to cultivating a garden is preparation. You have to make sure the soil is ready for planting which may include tilling, clearing of rocks, checking for drainage issues, and adding organic matter such as compost or manure. Preparation is an important part of cultivating your "parent garden" as well. You must be prepared when potential child care parents call you for an interview. The words you choose, the way you conduct your interview, and the items you include in your handbook or contract are all important first steps. This is your first opportunity to present a professional image and let them know your expectations of them as parents in your program.
The second step to your garden is planting the actual seeds. Seed or bulb packages contain precise information on how deep they need to be planted, where they need to be planted and what time of year they need to be planted. Planting seeds with parents involve when, where and time as well. It starts at the very beginning - the interview. After your interview you wait for word from the parents whether or not they will take the slot. What do you do during that time? If it is a family that you feel will be a good fit for your program, let them know. Nothing fancy, just a little note saying you enjoyed meeting them and think they would be a great addition to your child care. This can be done through email or texting or a phone call. It's okay to let them know you want their business. It is just as acceptable to let them know if you think they will not be a good fit. During my parent interviews I tell them thanks for coming and take some time making their decision. We want this to be a good fit. It is okay if they decide we aren't the right program for their child because I will let them know if I think they will not the right fit for our program.
Once you receive word that they will be joining your program, your relationship begins. The most important step in developing your relationship with the parents is the day-to-day interactions that you have with them. It can be compared to watering your garden. We all know that if you don't water your plants they will die. It is the same thing with parents. If you don't connect with parents each time they come to your child care the relationship is not going to develop. How many times have you been busy when a parent arrives to drop off or pick up a child? Do you take that moment to have a meaningful couple of sentences or is it just a "here you go" kind of exchange followed by "have a good day." I know we are really busy as providers, but we need to remember how important our exchanges with parents are in relationship development. Take time to ask a few family specific questions to let them know you genuinely care about their family. This will also help to establish a "full-circle" type of care situation. If you are helping enforce the same things parents are at home and they are helping enforce what you do in your program, the child will see that you and their parents are a unified team. I have found this approach has actually helped to reduce numerous problems in my child care including behavior issues.
Over the months of my sunflower adventure, we encountered numerous obstacles - my dog digging up the sunflower bed (which prompted a fence), ants eating the leaves (which prompted pepper on the leaves), and 4 hail storms. Although as you can see the leaves are a little battered, they survived. Working with parents often has obstacles that we must overcome, learn from and make any necessary adjustments as well. It is up to you as a provider to speak up. You must let parents know when there is an issue. Things won't change unless you speak up. If a parent continually picks up late - weed out that problem. If a parent doesn't pay on time - weed out that problem. If a parent doesn't follow the rules in your program - weed out that problem. It isn't their fault if you don't speak up!
Finally remember to let your parents know that you appreciate them and the fact that they have trusted you to care for one of the most precious things in their lives - their child. This is the sunlight in your parent garden. If parents feel valued they will stay with your program. They will talk about your program to friends which can lead to business for your program. If you are able to fill your slots by word of mouth you are less likely to get problem parents. Parents are not going to knowingly refer someone that is going to cause their provider problems. They want a successful relationship with you.
Are you taking the time to cultivate your parents or are you just complaining about the problems they cause? Are you proactive when you want a family in your program? Do you explain clearly the expectations and policies you have in place in your program? Are you providing enough water and sunshine for the parents in your program?
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