Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Do You Ever Want To Just Clean House???
PolkaTots 09:17 AM 10-22-2012
I am kind of feeling that way now...I just want to clean house, regroup, redo my contract, set up a new play area and reopen after I've had a break with all new families. I actually did this about 3 years ago and came back refreshed with a great group and a whole new outlook on my business. It wasn't until this year when I lost 3 to kindergarten and replaced them when parents who just don't care and are so unnappreciative that I started to feel this way again. Right now, my heart just isn't in it anymore. I think I need a break and a few new families 
MamaBearCanada 09:21 AM 10-22-2012
Right now I'd love the time to just literally "clean house" as there is always more cleaning I want to get done than time to do it. I should probably get off here & do some while the kids are napping, but this site is addictive lol
DaisyMamma 09:31 AM 10-22-2012
I hear you!
Perhaps you can start advertising and replace the families one by one?
Perhaps you can discuss your problems with the current dcps before terming them, so that they can have the chance to fix what they are doing wrong?
Perhaps you can start advertising and replace the families one by one?
Perhaps you can discuss your problems with the current dcps before terming them, so that they can have the chance to fix what they are doing wrong?
littlemissmuffet 09:51 AM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by PolkaTots:
I am kind of feeling that way now...I just want to clean house, regroup, redo my contract, set up a new play area and reopen after I've had a break with all new families. I actually did this about 3 years ago and came back refreshed with a great group and a whole new outlook on my business. It wasn't until this year when I lost 3 to kindergarten and replaced them when parents who just don't care and are so unnappreciative that I started to feel this way again. Right now, my heart just isn't in it anymore. I think I need a break and a few new families
Yes, I felt this way last year. I started cutting back hours and increaing my fees, which I knew would cause one particular family to leave that I didn't want to deal with any more. I started enforcing my sick policies alot better which I knew would cause another problem family to leave. I made certain my two new families were PERFECT for my daycare... and they still are, many months later. I am kind of feeling that way now...I just want to clean house, regroup, redo my contract, set up a new play area and reopen after I've had a break with all new families. I actually did this about 3 years ago and came back refreshed with a great group and a whole new outlook on my business. It wasn't until this year when I lost 3 to kindergarten and replaced them when parents who just don't care and are so unnappreciative that I started to feel this way again. Right now, my heart just isn't in it anymore. I think I need a break and a few new families
At the beginning of this year I added some new important policies to my handbook (thanks daycare.com!) and wrote out new contracts that were exceptionally clear.
I bought some new toys and supplies, rearranged both the playroom and my own private areas of the home and things have been going much smoother.
Things have been going really great since. I still have off days, days where I just don't think I have it in me anymore... days where I realize that no matter what, parents are going to try and push your buttons - but it's 100% better.
Good luck!
slpender 09:54 AM 10-22-2012
I know how you feel. My last problem family left on Friday
Now I have a great group of parents and kids. Today was such an easy peaceful day. If you need to clean house to help yourself mentally I would do it even if you just replace one family at a time.
Now I have a great group of parents and kids. Today was such an easy peaceful day. If you need to clean house to help yourself mentally I would do it even if you just replace one family at a time.
rhymia1 10:13 AM 10-22-2012
I knew a provider who did this. You can imagine the shock from those she let go 
Thankfully I've never felt the need to totally clean house. I did terminate a family that was not a good fit, but that had nothing to do with the parents.
Thankfully I've never felt the need to totally clean house. I did terminate a family that was not a good fit, but that had nothing to do with the parents.
Crazy8 10:26 AM 10-22-2012
after trying to clean all morning I really thought the title of this said "do you ever just want a clean house". LOL!! My answer to that would be a big fat YES!!!!
But no, I've never wanted to/felt the need to start over completely. I will often revamp my playroom at the end of the summer when my numbers are low and I usually have good families, but when I have a bad apple I usually just let them run their course (I generally have kids 3 and under) or if necessary I term them. Getting new kids can be difficult around here so I would be very afraid to start over completely.
But no, I've never wanted to/felt the need to start over completely. I will often revamp my playroom at the end of the summer when my numbers are low and I usually have good families, but when I have a bad apple I usually just let them run their course (I generally have kids 3 and under) or if necessary I term them. Getting new kids can be difficult around here so I would be very afraid to start over completely.
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:45 AM 10-22-2012
Every so often I have a family that I really do not like. We try to make it work, have a lot of frank discussions, and in the end either THEY decide to leave or I decide they will be leaving. It never results in them staying. The replacements I have gotten for the families like that have been FANTASTIC.
Now, I am just counting down the days until Kinder starts next year ...
Now, I am just counting down the days until Kinder starts next year ...
Oneluckymom 10:51 AM 10-22-2012
YES. I really want to take a full two weeks off to rest and JUST CLEAN!! but I know I won't have that kind of time off.
I have a great group so don't feel the need to start over though.
I have a great group so don't feel the need to start over though.
PolkaTots 11:10 AM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by DaisyMamma:
I hear you!
Perhaps you can start advertising and replace the families one by one?
Perhaps you can discuss your problems with the current dcps before terming them, so that they can have the chance to fix what they are doing wrong?
The problem is I have had several discussions, sent notes, enforced fees...but it just doesn't matter. They come late, early, without shoes, without coats, without diapers, doped up on tylenol when they are sick, bringing in food, bringing in toys, not paying on time, mad when I take time off... I just don't get it. (Yes, many of these things have warranted termination, but deep down I know they are good families, and I adore the kids, I am just so tired of being so disrespected) It's been a long time since I've had families like this I hear you!
Perhaps you can start advertising and replace the families one by one?
Perhaps you can discuss your problems with the current dcps before terming them, so that they can have the chance to fix what they are doing wrong?
EntropyControlSpecialist 12:22 PM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by PolkaTots:
The problem is I have had several discussions, sent notes, enforced fees...but it just doesn't matter. They come late, early, without shoes, without coats, without diapers, doped up on tylenol when they are sick, bringing in food, bringing in toys, not paying on time, mad when I take time off... I just don't get it. (Yes, many of these things have warranted termination, but deep down I know they are good families, and I adore the kids, I am just so tired of being so disrespected) It's been a long time since I've had families like this
But have you drafted up strict, to the point policies and applied them?The problem is I have had several discussions, sent notes, enforced fees...but it just doesn't matter. They come late, early, without shoes, without coats, without diapers, doped up on tylenol when they are sick, bringing in food, bringing in toys, not paying on time, mad when I take time off... I just don't get it. (Yes, many of these things have warranted termination, but deep down I know they are good families, and I adore the kids, I am just so tired of being so disrespected) It's been a long time since I've had families like this
For instance, if a child came here with no coat they would be sent home. DEFINITELY the same for no shoes. My kids actually have to come with shoes AND socks now that the weather will be changing in the next week or two. I will send them home for the day if they do not have socks.
If a payment is not made by 7:00AM on Monday morning (our deadline), then they owe a late fee and the child is unable to attend for the entire day.
If they develop sickness while in care they must stay home for at least 48 hours. If they don't have diapers/wipes charge them a convenience fee each day that they don't have it (mine is $20.00 per day and I JUST charged someone that for today for failing to bring more wipes). Food brought in goes straight into the garbage can. Coming early means you'll be standing outside by yourself until I open. Coming late means you'll have a $1.00 a minute late fee.
Blackcat31 01:04 PM 10-22-2012
Just like wife swap, we need a provider swap!
Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?
I would love it! It would be refreshing!
Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?
I would love it! It would be refreshing!
Country Kids 01:19 PM 10-22-2012
I have thought about doing this but I have awesome, awesome parents. I just have really hard kids, really hard. So I'm leary of getting rid of the awesome parents and hard kids and maybe getting hard parents and easy kids.
Not sure which is better=
Not sure which is better=
LaLa1923 04:59 PM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet:
Yes, I felt this way last year. I started cutting back hours and increaing my fees, which I knew would cause one particular family to leave that I didn't want to deal with any more. I started enforcing my sick policies alot better which I knew would cause another problem family to leave. I made certain my two new families were PERFECT for my daycare... and they still are, many months later.
At the beginning of this year I added some new important policies to my handbook (thanks daycare.com!) and wrote out new contracts that were exceptionally clear.
I bought some new toys and supplies, rearranged both the playroom and my own private areas of the home and things have been going much smoother.
Things have been going really great since. I still have off days, days where I just don't think I have it in me anymore... days where I realize that no matter what, parents are going to try and push your buttons - but it's 100% better.
Good luck!
Yes, I felt this way last year. I started cutting back hours and increaing my fees, which I knew would cause one particular family to leave that I didn't want to deal with any more. I started enforcing my sick policies alot better which I knew would cause another problem family to leave. I made certain my two new families were PERFECT for my daycare... and they still are, many months later.
At the beginning of this year I added some new important policies to my handbook (thanks daycare.com!) and wrote out new contracts that were exceptionally clear.
I bought some new toys and supplies, rearranged both the playroom and my own private areas of the home and things have been going much smoother.
Things have been going really great since. I still have off days, days where I just don't think I have it in me anymore... days where I realize that no matter what, parents are going to try and push your buttons - but it's 100% better.
Good luck!
Would you mind sharing where you found your policies??? ty!!1 new to all this!
daycarediva 05:36 PM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Just like wife swap, we need a provider swap!
Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?
I would love it! It would be refreshing!
This would be awesome!!! I really would love it if I had an outside perspective, I think I would learn so much from it! Just like wife swap, we need a provider swap!
Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?
I would love it! It would be refreshing!
For me, this job can be a little emotional. We get attached to some of these kids. I think I am letting a particular family stay (more issues than all of my other 6 families combined) because I adore dcb. But is the grief from dcm worth it? Or vice versa, the kid not being a good fit & the parents ARE.
It still shocks me at the way some parents are completely disrespectful of their childs caregiver. I spend 30-60hours a week with each of these kids. If the PARENT doesn't show me respect, how is the KID supposed to?
I have been cleaning house for a while now. I just let the worst offender go, a pt kid.
I then advertised like crazy, then added a GREAT Ft kid. I termed a PT kid that was VERY stressful.
...................................
In a year I have completely rotated out & have all new clients.
DaisyMamma 05:56 PM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by PolkaTots:
The problem is I have had several discussions, sent notes, enforced fees...but it just doesn't matter. They come late, early, without shoes, without coats, without diapers, doped up on tylenol when they are sick, bringing in food, bringing in toys, not paying on time, mad when I take time off... I just don't get it. (Yes, many of these things have warranted termination, but deep down I know they are good families, and I adore the kids, I am just so tired of being so disrespected) It's been a long time since I've had families like this
That's really hard. If I were you then I would do just as you are saying. First, get really strict, like entropy is saying. Send them away if they have no clothes, shoes, jackets or money! Charge convenience fees for not bringing diapers and wipes. Make all fees payable the next morning in cash - or turn them away. Turn them away for every broken policy. You will really weed them out. Either they will drop like flies, or shape up real quick. Either way - problem solved!The problem is I have had several discussions, sent notes, enforced fees...but it just doesn't matter. They come late, early, without shoes, without coats, without diapers, doped up on tylenol when they are sick, bringing in food, bringing in toys, not paying on time, mad when I take time off... I just don't get it. (Yes, many of these things have warranted termination, but deep down I know they are good families, and I adore the kids, I am just so tired of being so disrespected) It's been a long time since I've had families like this
nanglgrl 09:52 PM 10-22-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Just like wife swap, we need a provider swap!
Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?
I would love it! It would be refreshing!
I'm in when can you be here? I have great policies, contracts, a wonderful space and I enjoy most of my families...that said I have NO backbone. I'm not even sure how I'm able to stand up it's so weak. It's getting stronger day by day though as families disregard policies they just signed 2 weeks ago. Can you come clean my house? If you can I will try not to mess your's up too much. Just like wife swap, we need a provider swap!
Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?
I would love it! It would be refreshing!
blandino 10:07 PM 10-22-2012
I totally get what you are talking about. We have done this around 2 times in the history of our daycare, and it usually just winds up with us shifting the majority of the ages of kids. I.e going from mostly 3/4 year olds to mostly 2 yo & infants.
I have definitely been there with good families, but they are not respecting your policies like they did at the beginning. I definitely think it's a case of them getting too comfortable with their daycare, and that causes the slack in following policies. I also think once a family has been with you for a while they forget what a bad daycare is like, and how good they have it - and start to focus on the smaller things they are unhappy about.
When we haven't totally cleaned house, what we have done is sent out a letter addressing each policy that is not being followed, and reminding them what our contract says about it. And pass the letter out to every family.
I have definitely been there with good families, but they are not respecting your policies like they did at the beginning. I definitely think it's a case of them getting too comfortable with their daycare, and that causes the slack in following policies. I also think once a family has been with you for a while they forget what a bad daycare is like, and how good they have it - and start to focus on the smaller things they are unhappy about.
When we haven't totally cleaned house, what we have done is sent out a letter addressing each policy that is not being followed, and reminding them what our contract says about it. And pass the letter out to every family.
SilverSabre25 05:06 AM 10-23-2012
I wasn't seeking it out, but it's gonna happen. Well, mostly. One of my two dcf's is leaving me in just over a month (just found out yesterday); I've had them for almost three years. So, I will be basically cleaning house as I have 3 open spaces to fill....