Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Fast Help On Wording Regarding Schedule
momofboys 11:28 AM 03-08-2013
Quick summary - DCF 1 will have spring break in @ 2 weeks - I previously (about 2 weeks ago) told them I needed their schedule (whether DCC would come or stay home) & I got no response - parent is a teacher & may send or not send although I would prefer they stayed home with child. So in today's take home papers I want to nicely give an ultimatum that I need schedule for that week. My other DCF will only attend 1 day that week so I would like it if DCF 1 did the same or didn't come at all (but I will allow them to come if they want to just need to know to plan). I KNOW this family reads the take-home papers (always brings supplies when I request on paper promptly, etc). How does this sound:

"I will need your schedule for the week of March 25th asap. It is your choice to send "David" or stay at home with him but I will need to know what your plans are by March 12th. If I don't receive your schedule by the 12th I will assume you won't be attending over Spring Break. Thank you

I don't know how to eloquently word this - help. - They don't pay if I am given advance notice so it is to their advantage to let me know but TBH I would prefer they don't come - I already have off the Thur/Fri of that week so we are only talking about M-W
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:35 AM 03-08-2013
Please submit your finalized schedule for the week of March 25 by Tuesday, March 12. Failure to submit finalized schedules by Tuesday, March 12 will result in a lack of available child care for the week of March 25. Thank you for your cooperation.
Reply
momofboys 11:41 AM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Please submit your finalized schedule for the week of March 25 by Tuesday, March 12. Failure to submit finalized schedules by Tuesday, March 12 will result in a lack of available child care for the week of March 25. Thank you for your cooperation.
Ohhhh you're good!!!!!!!!
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:47 AM 03-08-2013
I word things without any fluff and make up for it with my in your face excitement and big smile. I'm sure they think I'm bizarre.
Reply
momofboys 11:49 AM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I word things without any fluff and make up for it with my in your face excitement and big smile. I'm sure they think I'm bizarre.
Yes, my statement definitely had some fluff in there, yours sounded more professional. Thanks!!!!!!!!
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:53 AM 03-08-2013
It just means you're nicer. Have a great Friday!
Reply
Blackcat31 12:00 PM 03-08-2013
How about:

Dear DCF

Since I did not receive a schedule for David to attend the week of March 25 as previously asked, I wanted to let you know that I will not have available space for him to attend other than Tuesday ( or whatever day other family is coming) of that week.

If you would David to attend that day, please let me know on Monday morning or I will assume you do not need me that day.

Thank you

Provider.


I'm even "meaner" than ECS
Reply
momofboys 12:27 PM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
How about:

[i]Dear DCF

Since I did not receive a schedule for David to attend the week of March 25 as previously asked, I wanted to let you know that I will not have available space for him to attend other than Tuesday ( or whatever day other family is coming) of that week.

If you would David to attend that day, please let me know on Monday morning or I will assume you do not need me that day.

Thank you

Provider.
[/I'm even "meaner" than ECS

ha ha I love it!
Reply
MarinaVanessa 01:00 PM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Please submit your finalized schedule for the week of March 25 by Tuesday, March 12. Failure to submit finalized schedules by Tuesday, March 12 will result in a lack of available child care for the week of March 25. Thank you for your cooperation.
Mine would be not that much different than Entropy's letter other than I would just add what would happen if they don't submit it by the due date.

RE: Second Request for Finalized Schedule

Dear DCF,

Please submit your finalized schedule for the week of March 25-March 29 no later than 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12. If I do not receive notice of your schedule for that week when due it will be assumed that you will not be needing my daycare services for that week and due to no other family needing child care that week the daycare will be closed.

This will be the final request for your finalized schedule.

Thank you for your cooperation

DC Provider


This way they will also think that no one else need your services and might be temped to keep their kids home instead of sending them to DC. If they still need you and give you the schedule and they show up to see that you have a DCK for that one day then you can just say that the other DCF needed childcare for that one day and since you were already caring for their kids that you decided to go ahead and allow the child to come too.
Reply
momofboys 02:59 PM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
Mine would be not that much different than Entropy's letter other than I would just add what would happen if they don't submit it by the due date.

RE: Second Request for Finalized Schedule

Dear DCF,

Please submit your finalized schedule for the week of March 25-March 29 no later than 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12. If I do not receive notice of your schedule for that week when due it will be assumed that you will not be needing my daycare services for that week and due to no other family needing child care that week the daycare will be closed.

This will be the final request for your finalized schedule.

Thank you for your cooperation

DC Provider


This way they will also think that no one else need your services and might be temped to keep their kids home instead of sending them to DC. If they still need you and give you the schedule and they show up to see that you have a DCK for that one day then you can just say that the other DCF needed childcare for that one day and since you were already caring for their kids that you decided to go ahead and allow the child to come too.
Love it! Thank you ladies for making my job easier! I used a combination of all your notes! I especially liked the "second request" idea. I was able to write a sentence saying something about how I had previously asked for this info so it made me feel "nicer" - sort of like DUH - I asked for this a few weeks ago. I really do like this family - want to keep them happy but at the same time I don't think it is fair to me to have to wait for them to figure out what is going on! I am guessing the dad will want to send the child (he is the teacher) but if I don't hear back from them by Tues I wrote I will be closed all week except Mon (the only day the other family is coming). I just hope they don't get mad at me.
Reply
momofboys 06:36 AM 03-11-2013
DCP dropped off this a.m., nice as can be with check in hand but still no mention of spring break - I guess I gave them til tomorrow - hopefully will have more info to update soon, I am really hoping for most of a week off (will be 1 1/2 weeks as my spring break piggybacks theirs) would love that sooooo much!
Reply
Blackcat31 06:40 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by momofboys:
DCP dropped off this a.m., nice as can be with check in hand but still no mention of spring break - I guess I gave them til tomorrow - hopefully will have more info to update soon, I am really hoping for most of a week off (will be 1 1/2 weeks as my spring break piggybacks theirs) would love that sooooo much!
If you have already asked them (more than once) and they aren't responding then why not TELL them what days are available and stop letting them TELL you which days you get to have off...kwim?

You set a deadline, they ignored it...you were nice enough to ask a second time and still nothing ????

Good family or not, you have a right to speak up and not allow them to attend certain days...especially if you KNOW they are not working and you aren't leaving them without care for work.

If they end up coming back and saying they need more or other days besides the one you want them to choose, you KNOW you are going to be angry/resentful about it so......
Reply
MarinaVanessa 07:25 AM 03-11-2013
I agree with BC. You have already requested it twice now and gave them a deadline. If they choose to ignore the request or they forget (or whatever other excuse they might try to give you) that is NOT your fault. If by tomorrow you don't have the schedule by the time that you suggested then consider yourself closed.

Just imagine and pretend that you waited until tomorrow and got nothing and you were waiting for a response so that you could book and confirm an actual vacation. So you get nothing tomorrow and therefore go ahead and book your reservations to go out of town (plane ticket, hotel etc.). Then suddenly the Friday before your vacation or the the day before your vacay they contact you and tell you that they need you Monday morning ... um, you're not getting your money back for booking your trip or if you are already gone you wouldn't leave your vacation just to go home and care for their kids right?! Just treat it the same way.

If you don't get the schedule by tomorrow "book" your vacation and if they contact you after the fact and ask for child care just like drugs, just say no! Tell them you have family visiting, or you'll be out of town or something and make sure that you remind them that you asked for their schedule twice and gave a deadline and didn't get any type of response, so you did exactly what you said you would do and assumed they were not coming and closed your daycare and booked your vacation. So sad, too bad .
Reply
TheGoodLife 07:31 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
I agree with BC. You have already requested it twice now and gave them a deadline. If they choose to ignore the request or they forget (or whatever other excuse they might try to give you) that is NOT your fault. If by tomorrow you don't have the schedule by the time that you suggested then consider yourself closed.

Just imagine and pretend that you waited until tomorrow and got nothing and you were waiting for a response so that you could book and confirm an actual vacation. So you get nothing tomorrow and therefore go ahead and book your reservations to go out of town (plane ticket, hotel etc.). Then suddenly the Friday before your vacation or the the day before your vacay they contact you and tell you that they need you Monday morning ... um, you're not getting your money back for booking your trip or if you are already gone you wouldn't leave your vacation just to go home and care for their kids right?! Just treat it the same way.

If you don't get the schedule by tomorrow "book" your vacation and if they contact you after the fact and ask for child care just like drugs, just say no! Tell them you have family visiting, or you'll be out of town or something and make sure that you remind them that you asked for their schedule twice and gave a deadline and didn't get any type of response, so you did exactly what you said you would do and assumed they were not coming and closed your daycare and booked your vacation. So sad, too bad .
I always love your advice!!! As for OP, I hope you get your schedule today so you don't have to stay in limbo about it- I never understand how people can just ignore simple things like that, or wait until the last minute. I'm one to like to know what's going on I hope you get your days off and can relax!
Reply
momofboys 07:34 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
If you have already asked them (more than once) and they aren't responding then why not TELL them what days are available and stop letting them TELL you which days you get to have off...kwim?

You set a deadline, they ignored it...you were nice enough to ask a second time and still nothing ????

Good family or not, you have a right to speak up and not allow them to attend certain days...especially if you KNOW they are not working and you aren't leaving them without care for work.

If they end up coming back and saying they need more or other days besides the one you want them to choose, you KNOW you are going to be angry/resentful about it so......

Yes - well that is sort of what I did - I said if I did not receive a schedule by Tues (tomorrow!) I would be closed that week with the exception of the one day I am watching another family so if I don't receive a schedule & they ask after tomorrow I will just say I have made other plans for that week (plans to relax!) other than that 1 day!
Reply
momofboys 07:37 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
I agree with BC. You have already requested it twice now and gave them a deadline. If they choose to ignore the request or they forget (or whatever other excuse they might try to give you) that is NOT your fault. If by tomorrow you don't have the schedule by the time that you suggested then consider yourself closed.

Just imagine and pretend that you waited until tomorrow and got nothing and you were waiting for a response so that you could book and confirm an actual vacation. So you get nothing tomorrow and therefore go ahead and book your reservations to go out of town (plane ticket, hotel etc.). Then suddenly the Friday before your vacation or the the day before your vacay they contact you and tell you that they need you Monday morning ... um, you're not getting your money back for booking your trip or if you are already gone you wouldn't leave your vacation just to go home and care for their kids right?! Just treat it the same way.


If you don't get the schedule by tomorrow "book" your vacation and if they contact you after the fact and ask for child care just like drugs, just say no! Tell them you have family visiting, or you'll be out of town or something and make sure that you remind them that you asked for their schedule twice and gave a deadline and didn't get any type of response, so you did exactly what you said you would do and assumed they were not coming and closed your daycare and booked your vacation. So sad, too bad .
ITA!
Reply
momofboys 07:39 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by Mama2Bella:
I always love your advice!!! As for OP, I hope you get your schedule today so you don't have to stay in limbo about it- I never understand how people can just ignore simple things like that, or wait until the last minute. I'm one to like to know what's going on I hope you get your days off and can relax!
I am just a planner by nature too but how would they feel if they didn't know their work schedules? They both have normal 8-4:00ish jobs so I am sure they would hate being in limbo too. I figure I have given them 2 oportunities & they have by tomorrow at pick-up to let me know (& I won't ask again- am leaving it all up to them!) - it will be too bad for the DCP b/c I know she likes her free time but sorry Charlie I won't do it if you don't give me the advance notice!
Reply
TheGoodLife 10:34 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by momofboys:
I am just a planner by nature too but how would they feel if they didn't know their work schedules? They both have normal 8-4:00ish jobs so I am sure they would hate being in limbo too. I figure I have given them 2 oportunities & they have by tomorrow at pick-up to let me know (& I won't ask again- am leaving it all up to them!) - it will be too bad for the DCP b/c I know she likes her free time but sorry Charlie I won't do it if you don't give me the advance notice!
Ahh, I thought you were saying the DCM was home from work for spring break since she was a teacher- I agree about the schedules if they are both working! Either way, good luck- I hope she gets back to you so you aren't in the position of having to say "sorry" for any requests- I hate doing that!
Reply
Play Care 10:46 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by momofboys:
I am just a planner by nature too but how would they feel if they didn't know their work schedules? They both have normal 8-4:00ish jobs so I am sure they would hate being in limbo too. I figure I have given them 2 oportunities & they have by tomorrow at pick-up to let me know (& I won't ask again- am leaving it all up to them!) - it will be too bad for the DCP b/c I know she likes her free time but sorry Charlie I won't do it if you don't give me the advance notice!
Your post reminded me, I had a family that would put me off as long as possible because they were waiting to see what their plans were I finally just started closing because I would either wind up with just their child, or they would tell me at the last minute they were not coming.
I agree with Blackcat, and start telling them when you will be avalible.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:49 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by Mama2Bella:
Ahh, I thought you were saying the DCM was home from work for spring break since she was a teacher- I agree about the schedules if they are both working! Either way, good luck- I hope she gets back to you so you aren't in the position of having to say "sorry" for any requests- I hate doing that!
DCM is a teacher and will not be working at all.
Reply
momofboys 10:55 AM 03-11-2013
Originally Posted by Mama2Bella:
Ahh, I thought you were saying the DCM was home from work for spring break since she was a teacher- I agree about the schedules if they are both working! Either way, good luck- I hope she gets back to you so you aren't in the position of having to say "sorry" for any requests- I hate doing that!
She will be off for spring break but I think she will still want to send her child! Sorry if I confused you! :-)
Reply
momofboys 10:26 AM 03-13-2013
Well giving them an ultimatum worked - Monday evening mom texted me that child would be here 2 of the days I was allowing them to come - however, it is only going to be partial days & she didn't tell me the times?! So now I have to beg for timeframes? Ughhhhhhh. I think I will say, "I will need to know the approximate arrival & departure times for Billy's time in care on X & X day so I can plan other appointments" - the dad is a high school coach so he needs care on these days for team scrimmages but no times?! I offered to give them a cheaper rate if it was under 4 hrs but with no idea as to when child is coming I think I should have said they had to pay my daily rate.
Reply
Blackcat31 10:33 AM 03-13-2013
Originally Posted by momofboys:
Well giving them an ultimatum worked - Monday evening mom texted me that child would be here 2 of the days I was allowing them to come - however, it is only going to be partial days & she didn't tell me the times?! So now I have to beg for timeframes? Ughhhhhhh. I think I will say, "I will need to know the approximate arrival & departure times for Billy's time in care on X & X day so I can plan other appointments" - the dad is a high school coach so he needs care on these days for team scrimmages but no times?! I offered to give them a cheaper rate if it was under 4 hrs but with no idea as to when child is coming I think I should have said they had to pay my daily rate.
Hun, please don't take offense but why do you keep asking them and not just TELLING them what works for you?

I offer half day rates to my regular families if they want to attend on their normal off days but I don't allow the half day rate unless NONE of the care includes nap or lunch.

Even if they only need 1 hour of care, if it falls during lunch or nap time, the full day rate applies.

YOU need to set the limits if you aren't happy with any of the times they want to attend.

I am sorry they are ruining this "vacation" time for you
Reply
momofboys 11:35 AM 03-13-2013
You are 100% right bc!
Reply
TheGoodLife 11:05 PM 03-13-2013
Originally Posted by momofboys:
Well giving them an ultimatum worked - Monday evening mom texted me that child would be here 2 of the days I was allowing them to come - however, it is only going to be partial days & she didn't tell me the times?! So now I have to beg for timeframes? Ughhhhhhh. I think I will say, "I will need to know the approximate arrival & departure times for Billy's time in care on X & X day so I can plan other appointments" - the dad is a high school coach so he needs care on these days for team scrimmages but no times?! I offered to give them a cheaper rate if it was under 4 hrs but with no idea as to when child is coming I think I should have said they had to pay my daily rate.
Uggh, I HATE having to track down specific times for my drop-ins. I just amended my contract to have contracted times instead of business hours but still have to text and hound for my drop-in family's times the night before. I agree that you should just tell them what works for you, and if they ask for something different or more hours then its your choice to take it, but I'd say "OK, that will be a full day's fees" if you do!
Reply
Tags:letters, sample, schedule - examples, schedule - letter
Reply Up