I'll be closing at the end of January. We've had a problem come up with our landlord and he has told us the town ordered him to repaint the entire inside and outside of our rental home to comply with the states lead laws. He has told us he is not going to do it, as he doesn't have the time or money. He basically put it on us... we could buy the house or the town will kick us out. Upon further investigation, the town cannot kick us out but they will fine him until he does it. He has not made a move to do so and after discussing it, we are no longer comfortable living here or renting from this guy.

After searching and searching, there are no rentals in the county in our budget, that accept dogs, or that want to rent to a daycare. So we made the decision to look out of county (closer to DBFs job ad my mom) and close the daycare. We've been looking in that area and I haven't said anything to my families yet. But I just got word that we were approved for a house that we really like. The lease starts in Feb so I have time to let everyone know.

I just feel so horrible. The 2 full time families I have now are infants (12 mo and 20 mo) and there are NO positions open in town. I don't know what they are going to do. I've felt so horrible about the decision I've been trying to find them all care, with no luck. One of the families has been struggling with one income and the dad JUST got a new job. I feel like I'll be ruining every ones Christmas.

Any tips on how to discuss this with the families. Should I write a letter too? I know this is going to be so hard for me and them too. I will probably be telling them Monday after we sign the lease on Sunday, just to make absolutely sure that we have the house. I'm just an anxious wreck right now.

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Wow! That is tough. I would suggest telling them after Christmas. Why make them worry about finding care when they won't be able to search until after Christmas anyway?
I would just be up front and honest with them about your situation. I am sure they will understand.
I hope everything works out. Good luck! *hugs*

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I would probably also wait to tell them, maybe the Monday after the new year. How long do you have in your contract for them to give you notice?

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1 months written notice. I am off for a paid Holiday from dec 24th- Jan 1st, so our first day back would be the 2nd...

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It sounds like you have plenty of time to tell them, I would NOT tell them until after the holidays.

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Try to remember that their children are not your responsibility and you should not feel guilty for no longer being able to provide care for them.

Childcare issues are just something that parents who choose to both work and have children have to deal with.

That being said, I know it is tough because you do become attached to the children and often times the DCPS as well.

I would wait until after the new year to let everyone know. A month is a fair amount of time for them to find an alternative.

Good luck with your next chapter in life Brooksie! Are you planning on opening again in your new house?

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We are not planning on opening again. None of the rentals have the space, or are willing to rent to a daycare. We decided to move out of county to shorten DBFs commute (1 hour 20 mins up and back 5x a week) and to be closer to my mom who lives 4 mins from the new house. It also brings me closer to job opportunities across the bay bridge, where restaurants aren't as dependent on the busy season in the summer. On top of that DD has not enjoyed having the daycare here and its been causing a lot of issues with her. So I am looking forward to downsizing, simplifying and spending more QUALITY time with dd where its just me and her doing what ever we want to do. Once I get past the anxiety of closing and letting people down and the stress of moving, I think we will all be a lot happier.

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I completely understand where you are coming from, as I am also someone who tries to do too much for everyone else but your dcf's would pull their kids out in an instant if they needed to move, got a different job (or lost one), or found a similar day care program that was cheaper or more convenient for them. And they probably would not lose any sleep over it.

Most providers would probably tell you to wait until after the holidays, I am going to go against the majority and say tell them by the end of the week. I'm assuming that you have extra days off for the holidays and so do your dcp's. This will give them time to consider their options (they won't be able to contact other providers but if there are no openings it wouldn't do them any good to contact anyways). All those family gatherings and holiday parties, you never know their families might be able to offer some insight or even temporarily offer to care for the infants until an opening becomes available.

Additionally, this is going to ruin YOUR christmas if you have to spend the rest of the month stressing about it. They will figure something out, and the more notice the better if you think they will have a hard time finding other care.

Keep it to the point when you tell them. 'We are moving and, sadly, that means I will have to close my day care. I will miss caring for *****. I will be happy to give you the number to the referrals dept and wish you the best in finding other care." Let them know you will be there to povide care until X date but don't offer or agree to any extra favors out of guilt.

I closed 2 months ago and I am so happy I did now. You won't feel bad about it forever. They will move on and so will you. Merry Christmas and good luck!

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I'm sure you will be! Good luck and if you feel that the anxiety of telling the DCPS is going to cause you stress during the Holidays, you should probably just tell them tonight. That way they can look for childcare during the Holidays if they have a few days off and you will be able to just enjoy Christmas with your DD.

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finding infant care is hard I would tell them now. There is a week until Christmas Providers with openings would be glad to talk with them. Do not feel bad. If your house has lead paint they are at risk there anyway and so are your children. I would suggest you have your children tested and the dcks need to be tested at their dr also. Lead paint causes brain damage and learning disabilities.

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I would give your dcps as much notice as possible if you know infant care is hard to find. I would probably send home a letter/tell them as well on Friday this week. Short and sweet in your note, and I wouldn't go into too much detail


It is with great sadness that I am writing this letter. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be moving and closing XYZ daycare. The last date I will be available to provide care is X. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your children and family and wish you the best of luck in finding alternate care. I have enclosed the number to the local resource and referral office to assist you.

Best wishes,
Brooksie


I think this is the best option for your sanity, finances, and your dd!

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It would be hard for me to tell families too. I do agree that you should tell them on Monday, it will give them more time and like someone else said, with all the holiday parties maybe someone will know someone, you never know. Plus the earlier you tell them, the earlier you can quit agonizing over telling them.

Good luck in telling then and with your pending move!

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I guess this has answered your question about whether you should stay open or close...sometimes the answers just appear! Don't worry about letting anyone down. I am sure while it may stress them out they would appreciate as much notice as you can give them. You never know they may find a solution in talking to people over the holidays at parties. Don't let their problems become yours. Just look forward to your new beginning!

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I hope your families are as understanding as mine were. It is hard.

I was going to suggest that maybe they would want to share you as a nanny if you were going to be looking for a job, but then I saw that it looks like you are moving too far away.

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I just told my families I am closing too. My last day is Jan 3rd. I told them dec 2nd. It doesn't seem like you have much of a choice, so even more reason not to feel bad. I have 2 families and they both were sad but wishing me good luck. I would hope any decent person would do the same. If they don't, they will have to get over it. One of the families found a place they are comfortable with and that was her worry. That and she thought it was personal, which of course it isn't I told her they were the LAST family I would want to close on, but it is time. I found it easier to just let it out, no lead up, just the facts. Good Luck and you will feel much better when its over!

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I told our parents last tuesday (3 weeks notice). One family said nothing and didn't return this week (no hard feelings there- just happy to be rid of them!) The rest have been sad but understanding.

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I've been working hard, but found care for 2 of my kids at the same daycare. The mom of a friend of mine just opened her daycare in October and has positions available. So now its just one of my little guys who is old enough to start in a center. The woman who is taking 2 of my kids is also going to be buying most of my daycare stuff .

I do think I decided to wait until we come back from break before telling everyone. That still gives them 1 month to get things in order and I don't want them stressing over the holidays.

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I think it's a good idea to wait til after the holiday. No need for added stress - especially since you already found them alternate care. I think that they should be so appreciative of that! I don't know any provider who finds care for their families before giving notice. You are awesome!

Congrats on the new home and hopefully happier baby girl! Good Luck!

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Same here!

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