Any Thoughts On This?

[cheerfuldom]

I received an inquiry for my opening from a mom with a 12 month old boy. Apparently she quit (or lost?) her job this past spring and was planning to stay home with her 4 year old and 1 year old long term. Now her job has offered her position back to her. The 4 year old was able to get back into his previous daycare but the infant spot for the younger son was taken. She is going to leave the 4 year old there and look for another place for the 1 year old. She wants to interview. I am just worried that she will yank her kid as soon as the previous daycare has room again. It doesn't sound like she is interested in moving the 4 year old to be with the younger brother, both in the same new place. Plus she obviously loves the old place enough to keep at least one kid there and I would probably feel judged or compared constantly. What do you all think? Is it worth the trouble to start someone that could leave at any moment? Is there a good way to ask if this is her plan (to pull the younger if there is a spot at his old daycare)?

[SilverSabre25]

Sure there's a good way--ask her directly! I don't see any problem *at all* with you asking that question!

Would I take them? Possibly--depends how far down the waiting list the boy was and how hard it was to fill spots in my daycare, as well as how desperate I was for the spot to be filled.

[cheerfuldom]

well she said that moving the 1 year old back is the plan but there is no spot until next spring. I am assuming she will move him back sooner if at all possible so who knows what would happen with this kid. I am not that desperate to fill the spot and I don't want to do the whole process to get him adjusted only to have him possibly leaving at any moment.

[MyAngels]

Originally Posted by cheerfuldom

well she said that moving the 1 year old back is the plan but there is no spot until next spring. I am assuming she will move him back sooner if at all possible so who knows what would happen with this kid. I am not that desperate to fill the spot and I don't want to do the whole process to get him adjusted only to have him possibly leaving at any moment.

I think you just answered your own question .

I wouldn't do it, either, unless I really, really needed to fill the spot, but I would always be on the lookout for a replacement if I did take them on.

[morgan24]

I wouldn't waste my time adjusting a 1 year old to lose them at anytime. Since you don't need to fill the spot I would wait for a better fit.

[Sunshine44]

If I didn't need the money right away, I wouldn't give them the spot.

[dEHmom]

i just want to mention though, she was honest enough to tell you that she plans to get him back in. Most people wouldn't have mentioned that. so you have to give her a + for that.

and if she's thinking next spring, that's fine. if she's thinking in a month or 2 that's not fine. it won't take a 1 yo that long to adjust.

Just put in your contract 1 months notice for withdrawal. You keep the deposit for the last 2 weeks, and she pays you for the first 2 weeks of the final month.

Or if you don't really care for the family/child, then just say it won't work.

[daycare]

How do you know they won't end up liking you better?
They may end up keeping him there and the brother where he is since it sounds like the brother will start school soon.
I agree if it's until at least spring I would do it
You have to look at it Like this. Parents can leave at anytime.

I also require 30 days notice. Parents are required to pay a two week deposit and then the last two weeks they pay.

[kathiemarie]

Originally Posted by daycare

How do you know they won't end up liking you better?
They may end up keeping him there and the brother where he is since it sounds like the brother will start school soon.
I agree if it's until at least spring I would do it
You have to look at it Like this. Parents can leave at anytime.

I also require 30 days notice. Parents are required to pay a two week deposit and then the last two weeks they pay.

That is what I was thinking too.

[cheerfuldom]

well she sent me an email that the spot at the other daycare would be for sure open by spring but she is first on the list should anything open sooner and they plan to take it. i am just not okay with the fact that he could leave at any time. i realize that could happen with any family but in this case, they have given me fair warning that it will happen, they just don't know when. i have some other prospects and would rather go with someone that sounds more permanent. thanks for all your thoughts.

[dEHmom]

Originally Posted by cheerfuldom

well she sent me an email that the spot at the other daycare would be for sure open by spring but she is first on the list should anything open sooner and they plan to take it. i am just not okay with the fact that he could leave at any time. i realize that could happen with any family but in this case, they have given me fair warning that it will happen, they just don't know when. i have some other prospects and would rather go with someone that sounds more permanent. thanks for all your thoughts.

most definitely if you have other families in line, then i would try for them first.

[daycare]

Originally Posted by dEHmom

most definitely if you have other families in line, then i would try for them first.

Agree ditto this

[kidkair]

I'd take the kid. I took a 7 month old who's father was job searching and was looking everywhere including out of state. They were great clients and the kid was adorable. They moved a few months later and gave me about a month notice even though I only require two weeks. They told me they had a hard time finding care in their new city that was comparable to mine It made me feel good.