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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>PLEASE Help Me Draft A Letter
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:01 AM 12-18-2012
I originally told early day parents that they needed to let me know THE NIGHT BEFORE if they would need early day care. Only two families do. The other two just show up.
I just began the divorce process and will need to take my son to school in the mornings. If I have to do early day, he will arrive at school 2 hours early on the days the bus won't take him (every other day). If I don't have to do early day, it will only be 1 hour-1.5 hours early which is much better. His dad can't be trusted right now so I have absolutely no assistance.
I need them to ASK me if they can come early (I don't charge a fee) instead of just showing up. Obviously, I want to accommodate their needs but I can't blow off my own son for someone elses.
I need a letter to give to these families that says they have to let me know since I'm a newly single mom and I might not always be available early (only at the regularly scheduled times).
I just began the divorce process and will need to take my son to school in the mornings. If I have to do early day, he will arrive at school 2 hours early on the days the bus won't take him (every other day). If I don't have to do early day, it will only be 1 hour-1.5 hours early which is much better. His dad can't be trusted right now so I have absolutely no assistance.
I need them to ASK me if they can come early (I don't charge a fee) instead of just showing up. Obviously, I want to accommodate their needs but I can't blow off my own son for someone elses.
I need a letter to give to these families that says they have to let me know since I'm a newly single mom and I might not always be available early (only at the regularly scheduled times).
cheerfuldom 05:46 AM 12-18-2012
okay so you need everyone to drop off before a certain time in order to get your son to school on time? do they have a choice of dropping off later? for example, my daughter starts school at 8. there is a chunk of the year that i do school dropoff which means parents have to drop off BEFORE 730 (and go on the school run in my van) or AFTER 815. I know it was inconvenient for awhile but I didnt ask....I just told them that from this month to this month, morning drop offs would be handled this way. if you ask, then they might say no and then what will you do? its either accommodate morning drop off or dont come to my daycare.
Cat Herder 05:49 AM 12-18-2012
In your shoes (and I once was) I'd just cut out the early services entirely. It does not produce revenue for your family and is costing you time with your son each morning it is offered. 
Don't feel like you have to put their needs ahead of your sons. You don't. Nobody worth knowing would fault you for that.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances I will no longer be operating outside of normal business hours, __ am - __ pm, as of 12-__-12. Thank you in advance for your understanding."
You can give details in person if you would like to, don't feel obligated.
I am so sorry you are going through this. Just know you are stronger than you think you are.
Don't feel like you have to put their needs ahead of your sons. You don't. Nobody worth knowing would fault you for that.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances I will no longer be operating outside of normal business hours, __ am - __ pm, as of 12-__-12. Thank you in advance for your understanding."
You can give details in person if you would like to, don't feel obligated.
I am so sorry you are going through this. Just know you are stronger than you think you are.
cheerfuldom 05:52 AM 12-18-2012
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
In your shoes (and I once was) I'd just cut out the early services entirely. It does not produce revenue for your family and is costing you time with your son each morning it is offered.
Don't feel like you have to put their needs ahead of your sons. You don't. Nobody worth knowing would fault you for that.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances I will no longer be operating outside of normal business hours, __ am - __ pm, as of 12-__-12. Thank you in advance for your understanding."
You can give details in person if you would like to, don't feel obligated.
I am so sorry you are going through this. Just know you are stronger than you think you are.
I agree with this. I didnt realize you were offering this service for free. since you arent making extra money on it, now is a great time to cut it out entirely.In your shoes (and I once was) I'd just cut out the early services entirely. It does not produce revenue for your family and is costing you time with your son each morning it is offered.
Don't feel like you have to put their needs ahead of your sons. You don't. Nobody worth knowing would fault you for that.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances I will no longer be operating outside of normal business hours, __ am - __ pm, as of 12-__-12. Thank you in advance for your understanding."
You can give details in person if you would like to, don't feel obligated.
I am so sorry you are going through this. Just know you are stronger than you think you are.
EntropyControlSpecialist 06:20 AM 12-18-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
okay so you need everyone to drop off before a certain time in order to get your son to school on time? do they have a choice of dropping off later? for example, my daughter starts school at 8. there is a chunk of the year that i do school dropoff which means parents have to drop off BEFORE 730 (and go on the school run in my van) or AFTER 815. I know it was inconvenient for awhile but I didnt ask....I just told them that from this month to this month, morning drop offs would be handled this way. if you ask, then they might say no and then what will you do? its either accommodate morning drop off or dont come to my daycare.
I open at 8:00 to everyone. I was allowing people to arrive at 7:00 but if I do that I have to start driving my son to school at 6:00am (we don't live near the high school and there is no other option).okay so you need everyone to drop off before a certain time in order to get your son to school on time? do they have a choice of dropping off later? for example, my daughter starts school at 8. there is a chunk of the year that i do school dropoff which means parents have to drop off BEFORE 730 (and go on the school run in my van) or AFTER 815. I know it was inconvenient for awhile but I didnt ask....I just told them that from this month to this month, morning drop offs would be handled this way. if you ask, then they might say no and then what will you do? its either accommodate morning drop off or dont come to my daycare.
I honestly can't fit all of the children that might take me up on this offer before 8:00 in my car. It only seats 5 and my son and I make 2. So, 3 in the back row. I don't ever drive the kids so I don't have insurance for that kind of thing.
EntropyControlSpecialist 06:22 AM 12-18-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
I agree with this. I didnt realize you were offering this service for free. since you arent making extra money on it, now is a great time to cut it out entirely.
My only issue is some families NEED it when the other spouse goes out of town. I'm worried I may lose a couple of families??? Maybe I wouldn't. But, it is a concern of mine.I agree with this. I didnt realize you were offering this service for free. since you arent making extra money on it, now is a great time to cut it out entirely.
Since he also drained our bank account I need the money.
Willow 06:26 AM 12-18-2012
This is what I have in my parent handbook:
Please pick up and drop off on time. I, your provider, have a personal life too. No "quick" stops on your way here just because you find it more convenient. Outside of contracted hours the care of your child is your responsibility. I need to be notified by 5:00pm the day before of any changes in the following days schedule. I will confirm that I can or cannot make necessary accommodations. Please do not assume I will be here on a whim or will be able to take your child at the drop of a hat.
While I adore the children in my care I need to utilize any free time I've planned on having.
You could modify it to soften it up a bit and add in a bit about your needing to get your son to school in the morning so they understand there is a reason behind you needing to firm those morning timers up as opposed to you just being a meanie.
Please pick up and drop off on time. I, your provider, have a personal life too. No "quick" stops on your way here just because you find it more convenient. Outside of contracted hours the care of your child is your responsibility. I need to be notified by 5:00pm the day before of any changes in the following days schedule. I will confirm that I can or cannot make necessary accommodations. Please do not assume I will be here on a whim or will be able to take your child at the drop of a hat.
While I adore the children in my care I need to utilize any free time I've planned on having.
You could modify it to soften it up a bit and add in a bit about your needing to get your son to school in the morning so they understand there is a reason behind you needing to firm those morning timers up as opposed to you just being a meanie.
Mom&Provider 07:21 AM 12-18-2012
If you want to continue to offer it, I would simply spell it out...on the following days your child needs to be here by X or after X due to school drop off. It's not possible to make room for everyone, so please use this service when needed only.
If it's only really used to a benefit by parents who might have one parent around to drop off that's one thing, to offer it up to everyone and not get anything is another! Don't sell you or your son short! Do what you need to do that fits your family best.
If your families are worth having, I'm sure they will understand!
If it's only really used to a benefit by parents who might have one parent around to drop off that's one thing, to offer it up to everyone and not get anything is another! Don't sell you or your son short! Do what you need to do that fits your family best.
If your families are worth having, I'm sure they will understand!
EntropyControlSpecialist 08:00 AM 12-18-2012
2 have understood.
Unregistered 11:28 AM 12-18-2012
Another thing you can do is to offer it but charge an extra $5 per day before your hours and that you need to be called by 6 pm the night before (though some can reserve a spot in advance/indeffinately as long as they pay the extra fee) and only 3 children per day will be excepted (since you only have 3 extra seats) and that anyone who doesn't call and just shows up has to pay an extra $10 for a spot but there is no garantee that their child will have a spot in your car but parents are more than welcome to wait in your drive way until you come back. Also state that you will be leaving no later than a certain time (enough time to drive there and back with an extra 5 minute cusion for traffic) but once you are ready to go you will NOT stop to take an extra 5 minutes to help a child with a car seat, if they reserve a spot but do not come intime than the next available child on the property. If a paren't does NOT pay the extra fee (or their regular tuition) than they are on probation and this service will not be available to them. Also all parent's must sign a waver that allows their child to drive with you- no signed paper no spot and provide the proper car seat/booster chair. This all may sound kinda tough but the extra weight from the children/car seats causes you to burn more gasoline and that causes more trips to the gas station. You can probably see if you can count this as a time and space deduction on your car milage since you would have DCKs in the car and they are in your program.
If you are willing to do this- it will help you make some extra money. Also remind parents that they have contract hours so anything out of those hours is extra like if they are early dropping off/late picking up that they must pay a fee (some charge $1/minute or $5-$10 for every 15 or 20 minute incriment starting from a minute before/after). This helps the parents stay on their toes and also helps you make money if they try to leave their child in your care longer than nessesary. Most parent's don't want to pay extra if they don't have to. If you were to do this you should consider putting this in your contract and policies and having them sign it (including when it will be effective) and also state that you have the right to revoke this service at any time.
But if you don't feel comfortable doing this than don't offer it. Just tell them that your hours are concrete and that if they continue to drop of their children earlier than they should find some who opens earlier (and then tell them "good luck with that!" lol jk)
If you are willing to do this- it will help you make some extra money. Also remind parents that they have contract hours so anything out of those hours is extra like if they are early dropping off/late picking up that they must pay a fee (some charge $1/minute or $5-$10 for every 15 or 20 minute incriment starting from a minute before/after). This helps the parents stay on their toes and also helps you make money if they try to leave their child in your care longer than nessesary. Most parent's don't want to pay extra if they don't have to. If you were to do this you should consider putting this in your contract and policies and having them sign it (including when it will be effective) and also state that you have the right to revoke this service at any time.
But if you don't feel comfortable doing this than don't offer it. Just tell them that your hours are concrete and that if they continue to drop of their children earlier than they should find some who opens earlier (and then tell them "good luck with that!" lol jk)
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:51 AM 12-18-2012
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Another thing you can do is to offer it but charge an extra $5 per day before your hours and that you need to be called by 6 pm the night before (though some can reserve a spot in advance/indeffinately as long as they pay the extra fee) and only 3 children per day will be excepted (since you only have 3 extra seats) and that anyone who doesn't call and just shows up has to pay an extra $10 for a spot but there is no garantee that their child will have a spot in your car but parents are more than welcome to wait in your drive way until you come back. Also state that you will be leaving no later than a certain time (enough time to drive there and back with an extra 5 minute cusion for traffic) but once you are ready to go you will NOT stop to take an extra 5 minutes to help a child with a car seat, if they reserve a spot but do not come intime than the next available child on the property. If a paren't does NOT pay the extra fee (or their regular tuition) than they are on probation and this service will not be available to them. Also all parent's must sign a waver that allows their child to drive with you- no signed paper no spot and provide the proper car seat/booster chair. This all may sound kinda tough but the extra weight from the children/car seats causes you to burn more gasoline and that causes more trips to the gas station. You can probably see if you can count this as a time and space deduction on your car milage since you would have DCKs in the car and they are in your program.
If you are willing to do this- it will help you make some extra money. Also remind parents that they have contract hours so anything out of those hours is extra like if they are early dropping off/late picking up that they must pay a fee (some charge $1/minute or $5-$10 for every 15 or 20 minute incriment starting from a minute before/after). This helps the parents stay on their toes and also helps you make money if they try to leave their child in your care longer than nessesary. Most parent's don't want to pay extra if they don't have to. If you were to do this you should consider putting this in your contract and policies and having them sign it (including when it will be effective) and also state that you have the right to revoke this service at any time.
But if you don't feel comfortable doing this than don't offer it. Just tell them that your hours are concrete and that if they continue to drop of their children earlier than they should find some who opens earlier (and then tell them "good luck with that!" lol jk)
I wish I could, but I'd have to start driving at 6:40/6:45am to get back to my home by about 7:30/7:45. Enough time to place breakfast on the tables before 8. Right now the kids are coming around 7-7:10.Another thing you can do is to offer it but charge an extra $5 per day before your hours and that you need to be called by 6 pm the night before (though some can reserve a spot in advance/indeffinately as long as they pay the extra fee) and only 3 children per day will be excepted (since you only have 3 extra seats) and that anyone who doesn't call and just shows up has to pay an extra $10 for a spot but there is no garantee that their child will have a spot in your car but parents are more than welcome to wait in your drive way until you come back. Also state that you will be leaving no later than a certain time (enough time to drive there and back with an extra 5 minute cusion for traffic) but once you are ready to go you will NOT stop to take an extra 5 minutes to help a child with a car seat, if they reserve a spot but do not come intime than the next available child on the property. If a paren't does NOT pay the extra fee (or their regular tuition) than they are on probation and this service will not be available to them. Also all parent's must sign a waver that allows their child to drive with you- no signed paper no spot and provide the proper car seat/booster chair. This all may sound kinda tough but the extra weight from the children/car seats causes you to burn more gasoline and that causes more trips to the gas station. You can probably see if you can count this as a time and space deduction on your car milage since you would have DCKs in the car and they are in your program.
If you are willing to do this- it will help you make some extra money. Also remind parents that they have contract hours so anything out of those hours is extra like if they are early dropping off/late picking up that they must pay a fee (some charge $1/minute or $5-$10 for every 15 or 20 minute incriment starting from a minute before/after). This helps the parents stay on their toes and also helps you make money if they try to leave their child in your care longer than nessesary. Most parent's don't want to pay extra if they don't have to. If you were to do this you should consider putting this in your contract and policies and having them sign it (including when it will be effective) and also state that you have the right to revoke this service at any time.
But if you don't feel comfortable doing this than don't offer it. Just tell them that your hours are concrete and that if they continue to drop of their children earlier than they should find some who opens earlier (and then tell them "good luck with that!" lol jk)
Unregistered 06:33 PM 12-18-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I wish I could, but I'd have to start driving at 6:40/6:45am to get back to my home by about 7:30/7:45. Enough time to place breakfast on the tables before 8. Right now the kids are coming around 7-7:10.
Then just write something like: "Due to unforseen curcimstances, as of XX-XX-2012 I am not available to provide care before 7:45 (or 8 am). Sorry for the inconvience."I wish I could, but I'd have to start driving at 6:40/6:45am to get back to my home by about 7:30/7:45. Enough time to place breakfast on the tables before 8. Right now the kids are coming around 7-7:10.
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:57 AM 12-19-2012
Done. Thank you for helping!