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I have a 2 year old boy in my home daycare that I have watched since he was 4 months old. His parents and I have a good relationship and have never had any problems. He has been out sick for the last 2 weeks and they go days without calling me to let me know what is going on. I have left them several messages over the 2 weeks, but I have only heard from them twice. He supposedly has Bronchitis, a double ear infection and a slight case of strep. The last time I talked to mom was this past Monday and she said that he was still pretty sick because he refused to take his antibiotic over the weekend. Today is Thursday and I have left a message for her yesterday and again today, but have not heard back from her. I am starting to feel like mom and dad are trying to bail on me...but they did call me last Friday and again on Monday, and if they were trying to bail, I figure they wouldn't have called me at all.....thoughts?
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I would just let them know, even if it's by message, that if you don't receive a call back today by such and such a time, that you will assume they will not be returning, and you will be filling that spot. -
it is possible that they are super busy and have not had a chance to call you.
I have in my contract that parents must keep me notified if their children will be out for more than 3 days. If they are on vacation, Iwould like a return date, if they are sick, then I want to be informed on their progress.
Do you email them at all? I really like email, because I get to it when i can. Also this way all words are tracked and there is no MIS-understanding.
Hopefully the little guy is ok.... good luckComment
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Ugh. How frustrating. Maybe you could leave another message and say, "hi, I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I've been happy to hold your spot but at this point I need to know what's going on because by x date I'll need to have it filled and would love it if your son was in it, but if not, it's been lovely having him."??Comment
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Sounds like they are super busy... i do agree with the email thing and make sure your as firm as you need to be"God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.'"
Acts 13:22Comment
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My husband gave me the same suggestion...I know mom has been really frazzled lately because they have a new 3 month old and first the baby was sick and now the 2 year old...and mom and dad are both very young...early 20's...and I am not sure if they are trying to ditch me or are just beside themselves because their son is so sick or if they are just young, irresponsible and rude.Comment
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They are not paid up...They owe me for last week and this week. They are aware that even if he is not here, they need to pay to hold the spot. When I spoke to her on Monday, I had asked when she thought he might be back and if he was not going to be back this week I had asked if they would be able to drop payment off by the end of the week since they would then be 2 weeks past due. She told me that it would not be a problem to do that and was just as cordial as she normally is....but I have not heard from her since.....Comment
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You need to call her and give her a specific time to have the money to you. Never let a parent go a week without paying. It tells you EVERYTHING of what they are doing.
You should call and put a time stamp on it. If they are planning on bailing they won't respond. Saying to you that they WILL pay with no definite time when they come is very easy for them to do. It's just words to you. If they add a nice soft voice to it ... they will calm you into believing they will pay. That stalls the convo that it HAS to be by a certain time.
Using the kid is terribly sick excuse is VERY common for stalling payment and the kid not being there. No matter WHAT they HAVE to get the money to you... even if the kid is intensive care and out of day care. They have bills and they must be paid regardless of whether or not they happen to have a sick kid during that time.
If they knew they couldn't bring the kid without paying for the bill they owe they will often use the "he's terribly sick" excuse. It explains the absence and it explains why they can't come over to your house and give you the money. (can't take the kid out because he's SO sick).
It's often just a ruse to stall so they don't have to give actual notice and pay up thru the notice.
There's a chance they may come and pay you but if they are tight on money and they have really been off of work this long... or have been at home this long... there's a GREAT chance they have blown thru the money they owe you.
Just be prepared that this could be their way of pulling the kid and not giving notice. They would be the bazillionth parent that has done this to avoid giving notice.Comment
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We had decided on Thursday at the time I talked to her....which is today....but I haven't heard from her or seen her as of yet. I have decided that if they do not come tonight with the money and I do not hear from them by the end of the day tomorrow, that I am just going to call and leave a message that I am concerned about their son and would like to know how he is doing, but that since I haven't heard from them since Monday and if I do not hear from them before the end of the weekend, that I am going to assume they are not bringing him back and will be letting his spot go to someone else. It might also be interesting to note that I know for a fact that there have been a few days that mom and dad have both been at work....I have no idea who was watching the kids.Comment
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Contact this parent (email and phone calls), tack on late fees and start advertising.
It could be a possible case of busy/tired/taking care of a sick kid but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.
I went as far as charging parents $10 extra per day for days they didn't contact me if their child wasn't coming. It's called a convenience fee. I've never had to charge a parent after putting it in place.
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Just thought I would let everyone know....I never heard back from these people. I even left them another message offering that if there was a problem paying the entire amount that was owed that we could work out a payment arrangement...never heard back and today they didn't show up. I don't know what they are thinking. I have never had a problem with them up until now and as I said, the parents and I have had a very good relationship for the almost 2 years I was watching their son....to say I don't get it is an understatement......Comment
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