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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Need Some Advice on Wording a Term
Go play! 11:56 AM 06-09-2014
You guys are always so good at this. I have a child who has had a difficult time napping for about 9 months (He's been here a year) When I say difficult I mean screaming (happily) jumping in his pack and play and waking everyone up at least once a week. I have been upfront with the parents about it and he has been my youngest child for a while so spending 30 min dealing with getting him down has been a pain but not impossible. The mom has always pushed for more and more as far as putting him in a separate room, asking me to close the door (not allowed in my state) why can't he sleep in your room, ect. I finally gave her a time limit that if we couldn't get it under control he would need to go somewhere else. This was also the parent who has been questioning my policies on how long she has to return a call when I call for pick up. And she has been late with her fees so often that the other parents joke about it after she gives me the check. (she usually just forgets until Monday or Tuesday)

On Thursday, I wrote her an email discussing all of these things and essentially gave a two week probation. She asked for a phone conference to discuss it all. I heard her out agreed to two weeks of probation and then a two week notice if naps weren't improved. However, after talking to my husband and thinking things over, the things she said made me realize that it is not going to get better with her. She said she had saved all our text messages since she started and read them all to count how many times I needed to remind her about payment, she said that I was only worried about nap since I started two new kids and that if taking two new kids means I would not keep her son and lose that money than maybe I shouldn't take them. I've always had the same number of kids but recently have had kids leave for the summer. She also suggested I was being unfair because my own son doesn't nap. (He's four and he usually plays quietly in his room or naps) There were several other things but I realize I just need to go ahead and give two weeks.

So my questions are am I being unfair to not wait two weeks to give notice? And how do I word it.
Thanks for your help.
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Blackcat31 12:13 PM 06-09-2014
This is what I would say:

Dear DCF

After much consideration, I have decided that I am not willing to continue trying to make this work. It is clear that I am unable to meet your child's needs and feel it would be in everyone's best interest to terminate our agreement for child care services.

Please understand this was not an easy decision but is what is best for all parties involved. It is also non-negotiable and not open to further discussion.

The last day I am able to provide care for your family is xxx, 2014.

I am including the number to the local Child Care Resource & Referral to assist you in your search for child care.

Sincerely,

Provider.

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Crazy8 12:19 PM 06-09-2014
As of now you have just done things verbally, correct??

If that's the case I would just tell her in person first before handing her a letter of termination.

I am lousy at writing letters but I would just state that after your phone conference you have decided drawing this out for 4 weeks instead of 2 weeks is not a solution and you are giving two weeks notice now. I may also state something about ALL children in my childcare being required to either nap or rest quietly during nap time and that is the reason for the termination - it has nothing to do with the other kids who started or your child - THEY ALL follow the guidelines of napping or resting quietly for the designated time, her child does not.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:39 PM 06-09-2014
Originally Posted by Crazy8:
As of now you have just done things verbally, correct??

If that's the case I would just tell her in person first before handing her a letter of termination.

I am lousy at writing letters but I would just state that after your phone conference you have decided drawing this out for 4 weeks instead of 2 weeks is not a solution and you are giving two weeks notice now. I may also state something about ALL children in my childcare being required to either nap or rest quietly during nap time and that is the reason for the termination - it has nothing to do with the other kids who started or your child - THEY ALL follow the guidelines of napping or resting quietly for the designated time, her child does not.
I would be sure to bring up that point as well VERBALLY.
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Go play! 12:47 PM 06-09-2014
I initially sent an email and then she requested a phone conference. Her son is out sick today so I am going to call her this evening but will give her a written copy as well. I just know it's going to be really awkward for a few weeks.
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Shell 12:55 PM 06-09-2014
I like this one (blackcat's) and have sent similar emails. Just a thought that someone else brought up on another post- usually the phone calls and face to face talks turn into attempts to negotiate, beg, etc. I usually send the email and only communicate via email so I can remain calm and keep a record.
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TwinKristi 01:43 PM 06-09-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
This is what I would say:

Dear DCF

After much consideration, I have decided that I am not willing to continue trying to make this work. It is clear that I am unable to meet your child's needs and feel it would be in everyone's best interest to terminate our agreement for child care services.

Please understand this was not an easy decision but is what is best for all parties involved. It is also non-negotiable and not open to further discussion.

The last day I am able to provide care for your family is xxx, 2014.

I am including the number to the local Child Care Resource & Referral to assist you in your search for child care.

Sincerely,

Provider.

Reply
cheerfuldom 01:45 PM 06-09-2014
I always add that if they do not follow policy (being late on payment again!) then the term will become immediate and they will forfeit the two weeks notice. do not allow her to bring drama and tantrums into this for the next two weeks!
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Go play! 12:51 PM 06-10-2014
So the child has been out sick for two days and still haven't sent the text, partly because one of my issues with her was that I didn't want to deal with her stuff while my son was sick. Or maybe I'm just a wimp. Ugghh. On a positive note, I've gotten two calls in the last two days that were both referrals. One of them I have met several times. Now if I can just work up the guts to deal with the fall out.
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Tags:terminate - no nap, termination letter
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