One of the biggest gripes I have heard from those of us who do home-based care is that we are tired of getting called a "babysitter!"  We are professional child care providers! 

Interesting................

I thought this deserved more thought.  Here are some questions that we should ask ourselves:

• Do I have in place written contract and policies?  If the answer is no, then get them!  That is the only way you can protect yourself.  How else are you going to run your business instead of the parents--or the kids?
• Do I have written consequences for when a policy is violated?  There should be consequences for violations...ex, you pay on Xday or there will be late payment fees imposed.
• Do I enforce those consequences or do I just say, "oh, that's ok?"  Look at it this way, your utility company, mortgage company and car company don't tell you, "oh, that's ok."  You pay or they cut you off.  They are professionals, right?
• Do I present myself to clients in a professional manner every day?  No matter what you do during the day, your parents' opinions will be based on your professional appearance.  Do you roll out of bed and answer the door?  Or do you take the time to get up, get dressed, comb your hair and maybe even apply a bit of makeup as if you're leaving the house?  When I was just starting out on my provider adventure, I went to a training and the presenter said that we should do what ever it takes to get ourselves up  to par on having a professional appearance.  That meant, if we had to go out and sit in the car for a few minutes, so be it.  I've never gone that far, but that thought has stuck in my mind ever since.  Do I get dressed up in a business suit?  Hardly!  Am I casually dressed and comfortable?  Absolutely!  We can be casual and still present a professional image.
• Do I communicate like a professional?   Have written communication about changes, policies, etc. whenever possible.  Use good verbal communication every time you see the parent.  Some providers have set up a parent communication center (either a table, notebook, bulletin board).  A lot of us send out newsletters.  Have you sent home any info for the parent like development stage charts, activities to do with the kids, or events in the area that are family friendly?  Your parents are much more likely to acknowledge you as a professional if they learn something new from you!

Let me know what YOU think...do you agree or disagree?  What do you think is a good way to shatter that baby sitter image???