I posted below about warning signs, and after today, i decided to go ahead and term my new dcb. I'm a bit broken hearted cause he's super cute and I've enjoyed him, but i just got a call for another child who I'd make the same amount of money, better hours and they (so far) seem like a great family.

But I've never termed before. How do I do it? He is supposed to come next week for his second trial week, but I don't even want to finish it out. Is it tacky to send them a term letter via email? Or should I call? I need them to pick up their son's stuff so they need to come over here at some point, but I'm a bit of a chicken to ask them to come over just to tell them in their face that I won't watch their son anymore.

What do I do?

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No advice.

Hugs!

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Does this dcb not come on Fridays? I would write up a notice and give it to them tomorrow. And what your last day is depends on how your contract/trial period is written up in terms of how much notice you must give.

April 13, 2012

This note is to let you know that after ______, I will not continue to offer childcare services to _________. I will continue to provide childcare services until that date.
Please sign below to acknowledge that you have received this notice.


Parent/guardian signature Date of signature
Provider signature Date of signature

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So what is the reason your terming? No that it matters just curious.
For better hours??
I think as a parent I would be pissed if I found out I was kicked out of the daycare because someone had better hours for the same pay. I think it says I'm in it for the money, couldn't care less about you or your kid.

Now, if I'm wrong as to why you are terming and it's because they are lousy clients , then I would have a reason why I needed to end it so quickly.
If the child was truly not a fit. I would be able to be honest and tell the parents that I was not able to meet the needs of the child.

I would say be careful how you do it and how you word it.

Sorry. I don't have any good advice. I'm a sucker for kids. Hours and money don't mean everything to me all the time.

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No it has nothing to do with better hours. They are just very difficult parents on many level. Read "warning signs" for more info.

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I'm probably not the best one to answer as I haven't had to term anyone for years, but I would think this is something that has to be handled professionally, and face-to-face. JMHO for what it's worth .

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And no he doesn't come tomorrow. During the two week trial, anyone can term at any point. They don't even need childcare until may. This was just a tryout period. I just don't want to waste another week with them when I know I won't be keeping them, you know?

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Got it. Then I would do as bice suggest.
Also talk to them face to face and just tell them that it's not working out.

Good luck

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Since he doesn't come today, I would call today. This way they have the week-end to make other arrangements if need be. Just because they don't NEED care right now, doesn't mean that they don't have their own appointments booked for this week thinking their child will be looked after.

Call and tell them you have given it much thought and have decided not to continue care as dcb is not adjusting well(no need to tell them it is their fault) or is not a good fit. You'd like to schedule a time for them to come pick up his stuff. If it's a trial, I don't see then need for paperwork, but you can have something ready if you feel it is necessary.

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I would call.

If Dcm answers, I would tell her that after giving it much thought, you don't feel like dcb is adjusting well, isn't a good fit for your program, etc.

Based on that, I would tell dcm that you are available next week if she needs you and leave it at that. If she doesn't want you to work next week, just ask her when she wants to stop by fir dcbs things.

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If you don't want to finish out the next week then I would suggest that you call and talk to her. It can go over well but it can also go over very bad. The way that they take the news just depends on the type of people they are so expect the unecpected. They'll want to know why you are cancelling the agreement so be prepared with what you plan to say but don't go into too much detail and give them a date to pick up DCB's things by but make sure you have them call first to tell you when they are going.

You'll also want to put it in writing and personally I'd mail it via certified. If you mail it today they would get it by Monday. The letter should be vague and not really go into detail either. Just a simple "I am unable to meet your family's needs." sort of thing. Make sure to add in there something about the trial period "As per our signed agreement, during the two-week trial period that began on [date] either party can cancel at any time. Therefore I am effectively canceling the agreement effective immediately". Add the date that you want them to pick up their child's things by and what will happen if they don't pick the things up by that date (donated to charity, thrown away, considered a donation for your daycare etc.). Sometimes people just figure that they can go over whenever they feel like it and that you'll just hold it for them until they decide to pick it up so you could find yourself holding on to this stuff for weeks until one day they unexpectedly pop in to pick it up. You should probably end the letter nicely with a "I hope your family the best. Good luck with your search for child care" or something similar to that.

If you don't want to mail the letter to them you can always hand them the letter when they come by to pick up his things. I would gather everything up now so that it's ready and if you want to be extra safe you could make an itemized list of what you give them and have the parents sign a copy and give the parents an un-signed copy of the list. I don't think that you'll have a hard time with these parents since they just started but it's an idea. Good luck.

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Those are good suggestions. If they really want, I can finish out next week, but everytime the dad drops off, he gives me the heeby-geeby's and I'd rather just say, see ya! Even my dog barks at him in an unfriendly way and he loves everyone. The dad is unemployed so I'm thinking it wouldn't be too much an issue to stop now. Ugh, i just HATE making people mad at me. I know, I know. I need to get over it. Just one of my weaknesses.

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I'm like that too I've been told that I have a dependent personality because I hate confrontation, hate when people don't like me and I'm always trying to be the peace keeper ... but I've been working on that for years. My backbone is growing

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uh, yep. You just described me to a T!

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