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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Logged Out for Privacy Replacing Teachers Kids over Summer
Unregistered 04:18 PM 06-24-2017
Hi All,

I have a family with two kids in care. Mother is a teacher and does 95% of drop off and pick ups.

The kids are 18 mo and 3.4, I've had the 3 year old wife she was 6 mo. I knew I would get the brother when he was born but the family was never clear about when. They ended up keeping him with family over the winter and spring, summer went by and the 3 year old left and they both came in the fall. Honestly it was annoying waiting for the sibling.

I've had the older girl since I started so they pay by the days they come, while all my other families pay weekly. And their daily rate is almost 1/3rd less than what the other families pay if I calculated their daily rate.

They are supposed to pay federal holidays it I have to remind them every time. The father conveniently forgets to include it in the check.

I also did not charge them over the summer. Last summer I didn't fill up my spots so it wasn't an issue when they returned. This year they are leaving next week and I'm basically already full for next fall. I have two infants coming ( they've paid deposits already) and I'm full over the summer.

This family expects to be back in the fall 😕

The mother is nice but the kids are very needy, dramatic and the older girl is rude. I was hoping she would go to preschool! But the mom said she couldn't handle DO and PU at 2 places and that I am cheaper for them! Also mom lingers every AM and at pick up making th kids acting out worse.


I know I've needed a backbone but I'm super non confrontational. I'm planning on sending an email letting them know I filled the spots over the summer. Since they don't pay I don't owe them anything and I know they won't pay, dad is super cheap!

I feel bad but then again I don't. I've let them under pay and bring drama into my house for too long.

I just need confirmation that it's ok to disappoint people I guess.
Reply
Leigh 04:33 PM 06-24-2017
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Hi All,

I have a family with two kids in care. Mother is a teacher and does 95% of drop off and pick ups.

The kids are 18 mo and 3.4, I've had the 3 year old wife she was 6 mo. I knew I would get the brother when he was born but the family was never clear about when. They ended up keeping him with family over the winter and spring, summer went by and the 3 year old left and they both came in the fall. Honestly it was annoying waiting for the sibling.

I've had the older girl since I started so they pay by the days they come, while all my other families pay weekly. And their daily rate is almost 1/3rd less than what the other families pay if I calculated their daily rate.

They are supposed to pay federal holidays it I have to remind them every time. The father conveniently forgets to include it in the check.

I also did not charge them over the summer. Last summer I didn't fill up my spots so it wasn't an issue when they returned. This year they are leaving next week and I'm basically already full for next fall. I have two infants coming ( they've paid deposits already) and I'm full over the summer.

This family expects to be back in the fall 😕

The mother is nice but the kids are very needy, dramatic and the older girl is rude. I was hoping she would go to preschool! But the mom said she couldn't handle DO and PU at 2 places and that I am cheaper for them! Also mom lingers every AM and at pick up making th kids acting out worse.


I know I've needed a backbone but I'm super non confrontational. I'm planning on sending an email letting them know I filled the spots over the summer. Since they don't pay I don't owe them anything and I know they won't pay, dad is super cheap!

I feel bad but then again I don't. I've let them under pay and bring drama into my house for too long.

I just need confirmation that it's ok to disappoint people I guess.
Sounds like THEY are the disappointment! AND, they are costing you money. I'd replace both with FULL pay kids, and be glad that you did.
Reply
bklsmum 04:44 PM 06-24-2017
It is absolutely ok! You need to do what is best for you and your family and your business! Obviously they do not care about disappointing you so why should you break your back for them? You have gone farther than anyone should or could expect.
Reply
trix23 09:17 PM 06-24-2017
I would be giving them a notice that in 2 weeks time that their rate will be going up to a weekly rate of $x/week for X amount of days with specific hours.

If they want guaranteed spots for the fall, they will need to pay 50%holding fee for over the summer or the spot will be lost.

Treat it like a business and they will too!
Reply
Josiegirl 03:11 AM 06-25-2017
You know what helped me get(a little bit) stronger? Figuring out how much money I lost by being too flexible and nice and seeing what I could've done with it. I've needed a new kitchen floor for years; keeping a space open for 4 months with 0 payment could have bought me that new floor.
I'm the first to admit I loathe confrontations, plus I'm a terrible pushover/softie/sucker/whateveryouwanttocallit Lol and feel terrible when this business comes down to business but basically we work for a living like everybody else does.
DO NOT FEEL GUILTY!!!! They've used you like their own personal babysitter for quite awhile now and you need to stand up and be the professional childcare provider-owner of your own business that you are.
Besides, they've got the whole dang summer to find other care, that's a bunch more time than most people get. Just keep their 'sorry, no room in the fall' letter short and sweet so there's no room for them to try and weasel their way back in.
Reply
rosieteddy 08:16 AM 06-26-2017
It is absolutely ok to do whats best for you and your program.That being said I would give proper notice.Let them know now.I think you can just say they are no longer a good fit.You are going in a different direction and have filled the spots.The less info the better.I would tell them you wanted to give plenty of notice.Good luck.
Reply
Ariana 09:00 AM 06-26-2017
Ask them if they plan to come over the summer. Answer will be no. Ask them if they want the spot in September. The answer will be yes. Let them know that you will no longer be holding spots for free and they will need to pay the full time rate for the summer. Tell them your full time fee is now $X. They will likely leave on their own. When you write the email just state facts and no apologizing!!

If you just want to be done just term them for not adhering to policies (late payments, constant reminders.. anything else you can think of.)
Reply
laundrymom 10:07 AM 06-26-2017
I' would send a term notice.
"Due to new enrollment policies I will no longer be offering drop in or pay as you go care. All childcare positions will be full time only. If you'd like to be on the waiting list for one of the positions please let me know. "
And I would leave it at that. If she asks you why, "it is the best thing for my business so I have a dependable income to plan my expenses. "
"Well do t you have room for my kids?
"I put all my drop in kids on a waiting list. If a full time spot becomes available I will let you know. "
So you don't have room for them?
"No. All of my full
Time positions are already taken. "
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:46 AM 06-26-2017
Originally Posted by Leigh:
Sounds like THEY are the disappointment! AND, they are costing you money. I'd replace both with FULL pay kids, and be glad that you did.
Same here. I wouldn't feel badly about it. They don't feel badly about you going months and months without income...
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:48 AM 06-26-2017
Originally Posted by laundrymom:
I' would send a term notice.
"Due to new enrollment policies I will no longer be offering drop in or pay as you go care. All childcare positions will be full time only. If you'd like to be on the waiting list for one of the positions please let me know. "
And I would leave it at that. If she asks you why, "it is the best thing for my business so I have a dependable income to plan my expenses. "
"Well do t you have room for my kids?
"I put all my drop in kids on a waiting list. If a full time spot becomes available I will let you know. "
So you don't have room for them?
"No. All of my full
Time positions are already taken. "
This is great. I would do this.
Reply
Tags:drop off policy, pay as you go
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