9 Rules the Best In-Home Daycare Providers Follow

Here are some great tips for in-home daycare providers.

Be Available

It is important to make sure that parents are aware of how to reach you and when you are available. In order to do this, you should set clear expectations about your availability and communicate this information regularly. Responding to messages and calls in a timely manner is also an important part of being available and maintaining open lines of communication.

Set Boundaries

Here are some additional tips on how to set boundaries as an in-home daycare provider:

• Set clear hours of operation and communicate these to parents. Let them know when you are available for drop-off and pick-up, as well as when you are not available.
• Establish clear policies around late pick-ups and communicate these to parents. Make sure they understand the consequences of late pick-ups and the importance of being on time.
• Set boundaries around communication. Let parents know when and how they can contact you, and when you will respond to messages. Consider setting up office hours for communication, so that you can focus on caring for the children during the rest of the day.

Remember, setting boundaries is an important part of maintaining a successful in-home daycare business. By setting clear expectations and communicating these to parents, you can create a supportive environment that fosters children's social, emotional, and academic development.

Be Transparent

Transparency is key when it comes to building trust with parents. By sharing information about your policies, procedures, and curriculum, you can help parents feel more informed and involved in their child's education. Providing regular updates on their child's progress and activities can also go a long way towards building trust and maintaining open lines of communication. Have the space rules clearly up near the entrance and also post them on Klassly. That way you know the parents know your expectations and you are able to run a more fun environment when everyone is respectful of the space, toys, your time and your boundaries.

Listen to Feedback

Encouraging parents to provide feedback and taking their suggestions seriously is an important part of improving your daycare services and communication. By actively seeking out feedback and using it to make improvements, you can show parents that you value their input and are committed to providing the best possible experience for their child.

Set time for face-to-face

While Klassly is a great tool for private communication, it is important to use a variety of communication channels to reach parents. You can have office hours set in the app, and ask parents to sign up when they want more talking time. Hosting one-on-ones can also be a great way to connect with parents and discuss their child's progress. Finally, sending messages on klassly can help ensure that important information is communicated in a timely manner and when each adult is able to check their phone.

Be Professional

Maintaining a professional demeanor is crucial for in-home daycare providers. This includes setting clear policies and expectations, dressing appropriately, and communicating in a clear and respectful manner. By presenting yourself as a professional, you can build trust and confidence with parents and create a positive environment for children.

Get to Know the children and their families

In Klassly, families can fill out a questionnaire to provide specific information about their child, such as allergies, dietary restrictions, or a favorite blanket. You can access this page in the app at any time to learn more about the child.

Parents can also message you in the app by sending a contact request with information they wish to share, such as "Over the weekend we started potty training." You can choose to open a chat or send a single-line response. Only the daycare provider can open a chat window. By managing your availabilities, you can build stronger relationships with families. Feel free to send questions anytime you have doubts or need more information. You can also check their profile for additional information.

Send home artwork

In addition to sending updates and pictures through Klassly, you can also send home artwork. This is a great way to involve parents in their child's artistic development and to showcase the work that their child has created. By sending home artwork, parents can display their child's creations and feel more connected to their child's daycare experience.

Schedule posts and set reminders

For topics that are less fun, like reminding families of a payment due date, you can schedule the posts on the timeline in advance and see who has and who hasn’t seen the message. You can click “send reminder” so parents can another notification on their phone of the post to come check it out. And you can even request a signature on a post so they confirm they saw a message (for a field trip or snack change…).

    In-home daycare providers play a crucial role in children's lives, and effective communication with parents is essential for building trust and maintaining a successful business. By following the tips outlined in this post, providers can improve their communication with parents and create a supportive environment that fosters children's social, emotional, and academic development. Remember to be available, set boundaries, be transparent, and listen to feedback. Additionally, maintain professionalism and build strong relationships with families to create a positive daycare experience for children. With these tips in mind, in-home daycare providers can create a safe and nurturing environment for the children in their care.