DCM Breaks My Policies Even When Terming! Ugh!

[Angelwings36]

This ties in with my other post (FRUSTRATED WITH DCM)

My contract states this under the category termination:

A one-month advance written notice when terminating childcare services is required. Families are responsible for their regular payment during that time whether your child is in attendance or not. Families are responsible for their regular payment during that time even if the childcare provider was the one who chose to terminate services. Termination notice can only be given on the 1st of any month.

Last week I informed Dcm that her single mother rate of $400.00 would be expiring and she would have to pay what everyone else was paying in order to continue on with my services. Her rate increase went as follows:

October 1st - $450.00
November 1st - $500.00
December 1st - $550.00
January 1st - $600.00
February 1st - $650.00

She informed me last friday (September 30th) that she would be terminating her son's contract and looking for cheaper childcare or quitting her job to go on welfare. She failed to give me a written notice and honestly I don't know if I'm suppose to take what she said seriously or not without a written notice. For legal reasons I need the written notice just in case she comes back on me on November 1st and says, "Well I didn't give you written notice as per contract so therefore my space should still be opened for me."

The reason that I only accept notice on the 1st of the month is because I only accept payment on the 1st of the month prior to the child attending daycare and I only fill my spaces to begin on the 1st of any month. That way there I never have a lose of income in my business.

Dcm has not been here this week, I guess her son is sick (or so she says, maybe she already quit her job? Who knows.) So finally after waiting on her for part of the week I sent her out an email yesterday with a letter that I wrote up for her:

Dear *****,

As per contract it is required for either party to give a written notice upon terminating childcare services. As per contract notice can only be given on the 1st of any month. You informed me verbally on Friday September 30th that as of November 1st, 2011 ***** would no longer be attending daycare with me. Your reasoning for this was based on the rate increase that I proposed to you. I was not given a written notice and do need a written notice from you for legal purposes.

By signing this letter, this will serve as your written notice. Although you did not provide me with written notice by October 1st, we will date this document for the 1st of October provided it is signed and returned to me by no later than 5:15pm on Wednesday October 5th, 2011. If this document is not returned to me at such time childcare services will continue and notice will only be accepted for the next available time of November 1st, 2011. Please keep in mind if you do not give your notice, your rate will continue to rise as follows:

November 1st, 2011 - $500.00/month
December 1st, 2011 - $550.00/month
January 1st, 2011 - $600.00/month
February 1st, 2011 - $650.00/month

Thanks *****.

Anyways, today she texts me and asks if she can come late tonight to sign the paper. I said point blank, NO.

(No sorry I am done at 5 when ***** isn't here and we have to run out right after work so we can grab some stuff to finish the flooring. I'm sorry ***** but I should have gotten written notice last Friday already. I was trying to be nice by extending it to the 5th. If it would have been anyone else I just would not have accepted the notice after the first.)

She responds with: SO I TAKE THAT AS A NO?

Are you flipping kidding me? Um, ya the first thing I said to you was NO SORRY. OMG!

How would you react/feel in this situation?

Thanks.

[Angelwings36]

No responses?

[wdmmom]

Tell her she can print off the email, sign it and put it in your door or mailbox but it better be there before you return from the store or it will not be accepted.

Or, better yet, tell her she can respond to the email saying she acknowledges this to be notice and this can be considered her electronic signature.

Either way, you will have what you need.

Bet you can't wait until November! ::

[sharlan]

I would just assume that she is terminating as of 11/01 and start advertising.

[tbutler]

I say respond exactly as Wdmmom said. Just make sure the date and time is set correctly on your email (my hotmail account time and date are always incorrect) so that once she responds electronically you'll have it stamped with time and date. I wish parents will understand that just because we work from home doesn't mean we don't close.

[Angelwings36]

Dcm just came over signed the paper and slammed the door in my face!

[wdmmom]

Wow...a door to the face?!

Maybe she needs one of those when she drops her kid off tomorrow morning! ::::::::::

[sharlan]

Change your policies to a 2 week notice, forget the 1 month. You now have a whole month to deal with a hostile situation.

[daycare]

I like to make things easy and drama free. I would have just allowed for her to come tonight or even tomorrow morning. The first was on a saturday. When did she get the letter? I would have given her 5 business days to follow up.

When a family terms, I kill them with kindness. It's akward enough just having to deal with the whole situation, why not try to make the best of it.

Also, When you term do you send out a term clause? Meaning do you have something in there that states that they are still required to follow all policies and rules stated in the contract and PHB. If they fail to follow the rules, they will be termed on the spot without refund or notice.

[Angelwings36]

I am considering terming on the spot for the disrespectful act! Am I being too extreme, I have just had enough!!!!

[daycare]

I am considering terming on the spot for the disrespectful act! Am I being too extreme, I have just had enough!!!!

nope I think that you are being reasonable. If she is going to act this way on day one, imgaine how she might act the remaining time that she is there. She could make a huge scene in front of other daycare parents.

I would talk to her at pick up and tell her hey look, I have to run my business in order for me to provide for my family. I feel bad that i can no longer help you out, trust me i wish that I could. I really want to be as helpful as I can, do you think we can work together until you can find other daycare for ________. I will help you in any way that I can to help find another provider as well. Please don't take this personal, it's strictly business. Just do what you have to, to help get her out the door!

I would be pissed that she slammed the door after all that you have done for her, but don't feed into that. Just drop it move on and remain professional

[Ariana]

Nope not too extreme at all. No one deserves to be treated like this. She needs to be put in her place IMO. Ridiculous!!

[laundrymom]

Id tell her THANK YOU!!!

Hey sue, thanks for making sure you got the door shut this morning, usually I have to resecure it when you leave,.. Have a great evening with Jonathon, He is in the best mood today!!!

then walk away from her and do SOMETHING,.. anything,.. as long as your attention is not on her.

[SilverSabre25]

...well, look at it this way: at least she signed!

[Blackcat31]

Id tell her THANK YOU!!!

Hey sue, thanks for making sure you got the door shut this morning, usually I have to resecure it when you leave,.. Have a great evening with Jonathon, He is in the best mood today!!!
then walk away from her and do SOMETHING,.. anything,.. as long as your attention is not on her.

::::::::