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MsLaura529 10:45 AM 07-12-2013
Ok, so this may not seem like a big deal at all to you guys, but it's big for me. I am a big people pleaser. I hate confrontation. And I hate the idea of turning people away from my daycare. However, it had to happen this morning.

I have been in contact with this one mom who has been trying to get over to my daycare for an interview, for her little girl to start in the fall (their current daycare is closing). It's been back and forth and back and forth for a couple months now. She texted me this morning to set up a time for next week, and then ended up calling me about 5 minutes later. This was her question (keep in mind, she only wants 2 days a week at daycare anyways):

"If my mom ends up calling the day before and saying she'll take my daughter one day, then I wouldn't have to pay for that day, right?" My response was: "I do allow for 3 sick/vacation days throughout the year, but for part-time, I require a minimum of payment for 2 days a week". She then went on to say how that was probably going to be a deal breaker for them because she's a teacher and it doesn't make sense for her to be paying for the two days a week if they're not using it, and how the daycare they are at now doesn't charge them for days they're not there, and that's how she likes it, and they've been in a bad experience before when her older son was in daycare full time and ended up with pneumonia and was in the hospital and they were still charged for the full week, and blah blah blah." I just kept saying, "ok" and waiting for her to finish her story so that I could hang up and get back to the kids. It was like she kept going on and on, trying to get me to change my mind on my policy. But I didn't.
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NeedaVaca 10:51 AM 07-12-2013
Good for you!
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melilley 10:51 AM 07-12-2013
Good for you!
I'm like you, a people pleaser and non-confrontational person! I don't really have a problem saying things over the phone, like in your instance, but I do have a huge problem confronting my dcp's, especially in person. I may be using my backbone at pick-up today, we'll see how that goes...lol
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My3cents 11:06 AM 07-12-2013
Originally Posted by MsLaura529:
Ok, so this may not seem like a big deal at all to you guys, but it's big for me. I am a big people pleaser. I hate confrontation. And I hate the idea of turning people away from my daycare. However, it had to happen this morning.

I have been in contact with this one mom who has been trying to get over to my daycare for an interview, for her little girl to start in the fall (their current daycare is closing). It's been back and forth and back and forth for a couple months now. She texted me this morning to set up a time for next week, and then ended up calling me about 5 minutes later. This was her question (keep in mind, she only wants 2 days a week at daycare anyways):

"If my mom ends up calling the day before and saying she'll take my daughter one day, then I wouldn't have to pay for that day, right?" My response was: "I do allow for 3 sick/vacation days throughout the year, but for part-time, I require a minimum of payment for 2 days a week". She then went on to say how that was probably going to be a deal breaker for them because she's a teacher and it doesn't make sense for her to be paying for the two days a week if they're not using it, and how the daycare they are at now doesn't charge them for days they're not there, and that's how she likes it, and they've been in a bad experience before when her older son was in daycare full time and ended up with pneumonia and was in the hospital and they were still charged for the full week, and blah blah blah." I just kept saying, "ok" and waiting for her to finish her story so that I could hang up and get back to the kids. It was like she kept going on and on, trying to get me to change my mind on my policy. But I didn't.
Should have called her bluff and nicely said to her this is just not going to work out for me- Thank you for inquiring and good luck with your search. She wants to run you-
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MissAnn 11:12 AM 07-12-2013
Why do teachers think they deserve special?
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momofboys 11:53 AM 07-12-2013
Originally Posted by MissAnn:
Why do teachers think they deserve special?

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momofboys 11:55 AM 07-12-2013
Originally Posted by MsLaura529:
Ok, so this may not seem like a big deal at all to you guys, but it's big for me. I am a big people pleaser. I hate confrontation. And I hate the idea of turning people away from my daycare. However, it had to happen this morning.

I have been in contact with this one mom who has been trying to get over to my daycare for an interview, for her little girl to start in the fall (their current daycare is closing). It's been back and forth and back and forth for a couple months now. She texted me this morning to set up a time for next week, and then ended up calling me about 5 minutes later. This was her question (keep in mind, she only wants 2 days a week at daycare anyways):

"If my mom ends up calling the day before and saying she'll take my daughter one day, then I wouldn't have to pay for that day, right?" My response was: "I do allow for 3 sick/vacation days throughout the year, but for part-time, I require a minimum of payment for 2 days a week". She then went on to say how that was probably going to be a deal breaker for them because she's a teacher and it doesn't make sense for her to be paying for the two days a week if they're not using it, and how the daycare they are at now doesn't charge them for days they're not there, and that's how she likes it, and they've been in a bad experience before when her older son was in daycare full time and ended up with pneumonia and was in the hospital and they were still charged for the full week, and blah blah blah." I just kept saying, "ok" and waiting for her to finish her story so that I could hang up and get back to the kids. It was like she kept going on and on, trying to get me to change my mind on my policy. But I didn't.
I love how she thinks giving NO notice (1 day) would be okay - the day before? Sure, you don't have to pay, lol - I just do daycare for fun not to pay my bills! Good for you for ignoring her rant!
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Brooksie 03:39 PM 07-12-2013
Good job! I would not have even let her talk that long (or at least I'd like to think I wouldn't) but I have the same problem you do. I'm a people pleaser. Sometimes I think I'm too nice for this job, which I didn't expect when I got into it. But way to stick to policy!!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:50 PM 07-12-2013
Good for you!
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Familycare71 08:58 PM 07-12-2013


I am a pretty upfront person... It surprised me how hard it is to say No in this job!
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pandamom 11:05 PM 07-12-2013
Woohoo for standing up for yourself! You just saved yourself a ton of hassle if you would have accepted her into your program
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Blackcat31 07:42 AM 07-13-2013
If the daycare she is at now is "just how she likes it" then why is she leaving?

I don't blame parents for trying to negotiate policies or for trying to get better deal.... I would too if I were a parent.

The only time it bothers me is if they sign on and then try to negotiate my policies/rates....
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Unregistered 08:13 AM 07-13-2013
Originally Posted by MsLaura529:
I have been in contact with this one mom who has been trying to get over to my daycare for an interview, for her little girl to start in the fall (their current daycare is closing).
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
If the daycare she is at now is "just how she likes it" then why is she leaving?
The OP said that the daycare she is at now is closing.

If I was OP I would have said "Well, maybe that's why their shutting down- because they gave too many free sick days and can't afford to stay open now!" lol jk. I would have been tempted to though
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