Why can't I find
Just two good daycare families? My problem daycare mom came in today and I asked her how she was going to pay her deposit since her trial week is up. She says to me "well I am not sure I have an appointment to talk to a gal in the town I work in Sunday". I told her "well your payment for next week is due today". She says "well I don't have it I don't get paid until next week". I told her since she was looking at someone else I could give her until 5 PM Sunday, but they the late fees would be assesed. Then she says "but what if...." and I stopped her and said "there are no what ifs, it costs me money to keep these kids, I have to feed them, wash them, use electric for them, childcare is not free". She huffed at me a bit and said ok. So then I talked to her about dad not having the proper clothing this morning and she started in with "I gave him a bag this morning....". I said "that doesn't matter, I will not get in the middle of your relationship don't try to put me there". And she said "If I give him the stuff and he doesn't bring it, I can't do anything about it." So I told her "well if she comes Monday without it, he is going to be taking her with him until he has it and then he can bring her back".
I am guessing I ticked her off and won't hear from her again. Other than the money I am not sure I want to. Her daughter screams the whole two hours of nap because I am not holding her while she sleeps, she can't feed herself at all and can barely hold a cup at 13 months. I think she is daycare shopping to find someone who will do things her way. |
Oh and I broke down and put an ad in the paper. I hadn't done it because of cost, but I called and did one for five days and found out it goes in the papers of all the small towns around here that have a paper, they are all connected. So I guess the cost isn't so bad I was thinking I would have to do it for every town. It doesn't start until Tuesday though.
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Originally Posted by Thriftylady: So sorry you are dealing with all of this. |
Originally Posted by AmyLeigh: |
Originally Posted by Thriftylady: |
Originally Posted by Unregistered: |
When I first started up I remember having a hard time finding any families. I took whoever I could for extended hours and was afraid of losing money if I stood up for myself. The one that valued my services stayed and the problem ones ended up finding more permissive providers.
I ended up finding more families anyway. As my dh said, at least we had one good parent so that we weren't "gushing" money until I found families that would follow my policies. |
I remember it took me awhile to reach a point where I got good families too. Then it seemed like once the reliable appreciative respectful families started referring their friends, etc. to me, that's when I got great parents all around. And for the most part, I've been lucky with that for many years now.
Be patient, stand strong for your rules, and they will come. |
Originally Posted by Josiegirl: I took anyone when I first opened, mainly looking at schedule and age of child, and burned out fast. It felt like a constant battle with parents to follow policies and respect that I was a business. Closed and have reopened. I am choosier and although I have seen some bumps in my reopening, so far things are working out better. It also helped that I did about 20 interviews over 2 weekends. I interviewed people even if I knew the hours wouldn't work just for practice (first thing Saturday morning). I worked out the kinks with the early ones and felt like a pro by the end of Sunday. I kept detailed notes after each so that I could refer back and pick the families that I felt I could work with. I immediately crossed off families that didn't feel like a good fit. Since doing that, I have had 2 families start. Granted there are a few issues with each but I *think* they can be worked out with time, and if not, will just say no. I also realize that I can NOT stay in a situation that causes me extended stress or unhappiness and WILL term without expending all my effort to make one child/family work. Not worth it as I won't last. I am putting myself first this time. Put positive vibes out there and they will come :) Don't hang on to the negative families because they will drag you down faster than you think. Good luck! |
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