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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>How Many Times Do You Remind Parents of Closing Days?
williams2008 11:29 AM 03-05-2013
I was closed yesterday due to me having to go to the dentist. I sent out letters about me closing on yesterday 2 weeks ago, hand delivered a reminder on last Monday, then told them at close of business on Friday. Sooooo why did I have a parent call as I was getting dressed for my appt asking have we had breakfast because they over slept
then when I got home my daughter said as she was pulling out the driveway to go to work another parent was pulling in to drop-off.
How many times do you remind parents of closing days?
then when I got home my daughter said as she was pulling out the driveway to go to work another parent was pulling in to drop-off.How many times do you remind parents of closing days?
littleblossoms 11:31 AM 03-05-2013
once a month newletter goes out to all parents by email and has dates of closing
williams2008 11:35 AM 03-05-2013
I reminded the parent that I had given out two written notices of the closing and she said..." O I didn't read it. I thought it was something dck had done so I threw it to the side with her other papers.
I hate that when I take my time to send things homes the dcps don't take the time to read them.
I hate that when I take my time to send things homes the dcps don't take the time to read them.
PitterPatter 11:45 AM 03-05-2013
I give out a yearly magnetic calendar with the holidays closed marked. I tell them to put in on the fridge, I doubt they do. I then pass out monthly newletters with that months schedule. A few days before a day off or closing etc I remind them verbally... some still show up at daycare. Go figure
Go figure
snbauser 11:48 AM 03-05-2013
That has to be frustrating. I have only had that happen once to me. For holidays I send hom a yearly calendar. For anything else I usually give at least a months notice via my newsletter and then post a note near the sign in sheet a few days before.
kathiemarie 11:49 AM 03-05-2013
I tell them in writing a few weeks in advance. Then the week before I post it on my door. The day of I put a note on the door saying I'm closed.
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:49 AM 03-05-2013
They get a handout for the entire year at the beginning of a new one.
I also put a notice on the door a WEEK before I close.
I also put a notice on the door a WEEK before I close.
Lucy 11:53 AM 03-05-2013
That's just it... they don't read stuff. I don't have infants anymore, but I had a mom who requested a daily log type thing. She even made up the forms. I filled them out, then discovered she never read them.
As far as reminders, I give out my schedule at the beginning of the year, and unless there's some emergency appointment or something, I don't vary from that schedule. Then I post that same schedule on the inside of my front door, and cross off days after they occur. So a quick glance will tell you when the next one is. About a week before a closure, I put a larger sign that says "REMINDER: Daycare closed Monday, March 11" or whatever.
So that's it for me. If they can't figure it out from those 3 things, they're beyond my help!
As far as reminders, I give out my schedule at the beginning of the year, and unless there's some emergency appointment or something, I don't vary from that schedule. Then I post that same schedule on the inside of my front door, and cross off days after they occur. So a quick glance will tell you when the next one is. About a week before a closure, I put a larger sign that says "REMINDER: Daycare closed Monday, March 11" or whatever.
So that's it for me. If they can't figure it out from those 3 things, they're beyond my help!
mema 11:53 AM 03-05-2013
I give all my days at the beginning of the year and then a week before hand I post a note on the cubbies that stays there the whole week. On the last day, when saying good bye to dcks, I always remember to say hope you have a great 3 day weekend, see you on Tuesday (or whatever depending on the day off). Some times dcps are like, oh yeah, that's right. even tho the sign has been there all fricken week
. I think sometimes they just don't want to believe you have a life too.
. I think sometimes they just don't want to believe you have a life too.
williams2008 12:06 PM 03-05-2013
I handed out my yearly schedule at the beggining of the year, I'm sure they didn't read over that either!
bgmeyers 12:14 PM 03-05-2013
I give out one notice about three weeks in advance, not less than two.
My parents have to sign in and out every day. I have a monthly calendar for each child. If something is coming up like a holiday or whatever, it is blocked out on the sheet. The only problem with this is if the closure is on the first of the month, they don't have the visual reminder unless they flip to the next month.
But I don't hold hands. One written notice.
My parents have to sign in and out every day. I have a monthly calendar for each child. If something is coming up like a holiday or whatever, it is blocked out on the sheet. The only problem with this is if the closure is on the first of the month, they don't have the visual reminder unless they flip to the next month.
But I don't hold hands. One written notice.
nanglgrl 07:06 PM 03-05-2013
I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".
Starburst 11:22 PM 03-05-2013
Originally Posted by williams2008:
I reminded the parent that I had given out two written notices of the closing and she said..." O I didn't read it. I thought it was something dck had done so I threw it to the side with her other papers.
I hate that when I take my time to send things homes the dcps don't take the time to read them.
Next time try posting it on a bulletin board or dry erase board and tell all the kids that they will get a stamp/sticker/privilage (either that day or the next day depending on age) if they can get their parents to read it to them out loud in front of you before they leave. Just keep it short "Daycare will be closed on xx/xx/2013, regulary daily rate payment (still is/isn't) required. No exceptions."I reminded the parent that I had given out two written notices of the closing and she said..." O I didn't read it. I thought it was something dck had done so I threw it to the side with her other papers.
I hate that when I take my time to send things homes the dcps don't take the time to read them.
The younger kids espesuallly will NOT let their parents leave until they read it and they get their stamp/sticker.
Meyou 01:38 AM 03-06-2013
I put it on the monthly calendar by the front door and tell them verbally twice...once when I decide on the day off and once the night before.
laundrymom 02:45 AM 03-06-2013
Every August. Then a note on the door a day before. Not my problem if they are unorganized.
Play Care 02:50 AM 03-06-2013
After having more than one parent show up as I was leaving for vacation, I now notify parents three ways - in writing (newsletter and daily journal home) verbally (at either pick up or drop off) and by leaving a large sign on the front door where they would have to be blind to miss it.
Hand holding, perhaps. But no one can say they didn't know
Hand holding, perhaps. But no one can say they didn't know
williams2008 06:00 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
Next time try posting it on a bulletin board or dry erase board and tell all the kids that they will get a stamp/sticker/privilage (either that day or the next day depending on age) if they can get their parents to read it to them out loud in front of you before they leave. Just keep it short "Daycare will be closed on xx/xx/2013, regulary daily rate payment (still is/isn't) required. No exceptions."
The younger kids espesuallly will NOT let their parents leave until they read it and they get their stamp/sticker.
Great idea!!Next time try posting it on a bulletin board or dry erase board and tell all the kids that they will get a stamp/sticker/privilage (either that day or the next day depending on age) if they can get their parents to read it to them out loud in front of you before they leave. Just keep it short "Daycare will be closed on xx/xx/2013, regulary daily rate payment (still is/isn't) required. No exceptions."
The younger kids espesuallly will NOT let their parents leave until they read it and they get their stamp/sticker.
williams2008 06:02 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".
I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".
I'm sure this is what some of them may think!!!
canadiancare 06:14 AM 03-06-2013
They get a vacation list in January and then every month they get a menu calendar with all extra stuff (early closure, vacation etc). I only have 5 kids to worry about, though.
daycarediva 06:21 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by PitterPatter:
I give out a yearly magnetic calendar with the holidays closed marked. I tell them to put in on the fridge, I doubt they do. I then pass out monthly newletters with that months schedule. A few days before a day off or closing etc I remind them verbally... some still show up at daycare. Go figure
Where did you get the magnetic calendar from? I looked everywhere for one around new years and couldn't find anything!I give out a yearly magnetic calendar with the holidays closed marked. I tell them to put in on the fridge, I doubt they do. I then pass out monthly newletters with that months schedule. A few days before a day off or closing etc I remind them verbally... some still show up at daycare.
Go figure
daycarediva 06:23 AM 03-06-2013
I hand it out yearly, remind them in the monthly newsletter for that months closings, AND put it on the menu and the calendar by the front door. I STILL have parents claim that they weren't aware. One showed up and woke me up the day after Christmas claiming she never knew I was closed, she is standing there with dcg like "Oh I don't know what I am going to do, I have to be at work in 5 minutes." I just said "Ok, hope you had a merry Christmas, I'm going back to bed now. Have a nice day." and shut the door.
Blackcat31 06:37 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I hand it out yearly, remind them in the monthly newsletter for that months closings, AND put it on the menu and the calendar by the front door. I STILL have parents claim that they weren't aware. One showed up and woke me up the day after Christmas claiming she never knew I was closed, she is standing there with dcg like "Oh I don't know what I am going to do, I have to be at work in 5 minutes." I just said "Ok, hope you had a merry Christmas, I'm going back to bed now. Have a nice day." and shut the door.
I do the same. I have a calendar that I hand out at the beginning of the year. It has ALL days marked clearly on it that I am closed. I even highlight the PAID closed days and the non-paid days so there is no confusion there either.I hand it out yearly, remind them in the monthly newsletter for that months closings, AND put it on the menu and the calendar by the front door. I STILL have parents claim that they weren't aware. One showed up and woke me up the day after Christmas claiming she never knew I was closed, she is standing there with dcg like "Oh I don't know what I am going to do, I have to be at work in 5 minutes." I just said "Ok, hope you had a merry Christmas, I'm going back to bed now. Have a nice day." and shut the door.
It always amazes me how many parents will ask if I am closed on a certain day or not....I just laugh and say check your calendar.
I refuse to treat the parents like children and give out constant reminders.
It NOT my job to help parents funtion as adults.
canadiancare 06:40 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I do the same. I have a calendar that I hand out at the beginning of the year. It has ALL days marked clearly on it that I am closed. I even highlight the PAID closed days and the non-paid days so there is no confusion there either.
It always amazes me how many parents will ask if I am closed on a certain day or not....I just laugh and say check your calendar.
I refuse to treat the parents like children and give out constant reminders.
It NOT my job to help parents funtion as adults.
I write paid/unpaid as well.I do the same. I have a calendar that I hand out at the beginning of the year. It has ALL days marked clearly on it that I am closed. I even highlight the PAID closed days and the non-paid days so there is no confusion there either.
It always amazes me how many parents will ask if I am closed on a certain day or not....I just laugh and say check your calendar.
I refuse to treat the parents like children and give out constant reminders.
It NOT my job to help parents funtion as adults.
crazydaycarelady 06:54 AM 03-06-2013
I usually give them all a printed notice, put a notice on my daycare fb page, put a reminder on the door as few days beforehand, and then say "See you Tuesday" or whatever the day before.
I have still had a parent show up once though.
I have still had a parent show up once though.
tenderhearts 07:28 AM 03-06-2013
I give them a notice with days off for next 6 mo. I also post it on my wall by the door and I put a reminder in my monthly newsletter for the month.
Springdaze 08:35 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".
exactly!I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".
MarinaVanessa 08:50 AM 03-06-2013
I just hand out a list of the holidays that I close at the beginning of the year to all of my current clients then to all of my new clients as they sign up. One or two weeks before I close the daycare I print up a simple sign reminding the parents of the closing (and say whether it's paid or not) and include the returning date. Then I post one on the bulletin board above the sign in sheets and one on the front door and leave it there.
I've had a couple of clients still show up on the holiday with their kid in tow and I can hear them walk up to the front door, stop, and then walk back to their car. You've been looking at the dang sign for two weeks, c'mon now.
And I agree with BC, it's not my job as a parent to continue to remind them over and over. I am in the business of child care not adult care.
I've had a couple of clients still show up on the holiday with their kid in tow and I can hear them walk up to the front door, stop, and then walk back to their car
. You've been looking at the dang sign for two weeks, c'mon now.And I agree with BC, it's not my job as a parent to continue to remind them over and over. I am in the business of child care not adult care.