Home daycare provider is MIA.

[Anonymous]

My younger DC is in a home daycare that we’ve been mostly happy with—been there since 4 months old, now 2 years old.

My issue is daycare provider’s lack of communication. She clearly has not been present for well over a week; her car hasn’t been at the house at any point I’ve dropped off or picked up (times vary, not the same every day), and when I asked one of the assistants if provider/owner was away, she said she didn’t know, hasn’t seen her, and she hasn’t been downstairs to the daycare area. Yet she’s said nothing about traveling or taking a break or anything. Business as usual, just with the assistants running things. For context, she has in the past let parents know she’s going on vacation for X dates but everything is covered and daycare would be open as usual.

I’m not really sure how (if??) to approach this with her. I get the feeling she’s going through some kind of personal issues, maybe divorce, in which case it makes sense she wouldn’t broadcast as such. Her DH has been home this entire time, so if she’s traveling, he’s not with her. But on the other hand...wtf? I just feel like there should be better communication. I don’t need to know every sick day but I haven’t seen her or her car in almost 2 weeks. Would you say something? If so, what?

[Anonymous]

This would be a big no for me. The assistants don't know at all where she is? Also--are they off ratios with the provider missing?

[Anonymous]

Check the licensing rules, sometimes there is a max as to how much the owner can be away and operate with assistants.

Make she has an ill family member? Maybe an email to check in, saying you have noticed she has been away and that you hope all is okay.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she has another job?

[Anonymous]

death in the family? rehab?

[Anonymous]

Of course text her and ask if she's OK because you have not seen her. It could be that she's sick or in the hospital?

[Anonymous]

What is your concern? Do you feel like there's an issue with the care your child is receiving? If you are generally ok with assistants, why is this time different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:death in the family? rehab?

Or incarceration.

[Anonymous]

That’s what you get with a home daycare.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely text her and ask her when she will be back.

[Anonymous]

Are they still in ratio, numbers wise? That'd be my main concern. I'm sure the assistants are capable, and I always loved ours, but making sure there are enough of them would be the main issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they still in ratio, numbers wise? That'd be my main concern. I'm sure the assistants are capable, and I always loved ours, but making sure there are enough of them would be the main issue.

Also, who is the point of contact for parents in her absence?

[Anonymous]

Update, OP?

[Anonymous]

This happened at our home daycare. We found out through a 4 year old that main provider wasn’t around and the assistant was left alone all day with 8 kids - and was losing her patience with them/lots of time out or screen time.

We pulled our child and it was the best decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s what you get with a home daycare.

Sometimes.