Kid Told Me He Is Going To See His New Daycare...

[jen]

::::::::::

Just pointing out how rude your response was to "just sayin"...way to take ownership of your behavior though.

[mac60]

I will be implementing this in my new revised handbook. thanks.

I think it's a better idea to take the two weeks deposit and require a calander month notice. That way you have two weeks in the bank and get two more paydays before the child leaves care. Require notice to be given ONLY on a working Friday and in writing. That way you will know each Friday that if you haven't received notice you have at least one month before a child will depart care.

Two weeks notice is rediculous in this economy. I don't know who invented the idea that two weeks was reasonable but it isn't. If you take your time and properly interview families to get the "right fit" you need a few weeks to complete the process.

Can you imagine how the housing rental businesses would do with only two weeks notice? There's always the complaint that child care costs as much as housing but there's no connection to the idea that because it IS such an important service that the owner/providers need TIME to "fill the space". There's a reason why landlords want a months notice given on the first of the month. We deserve that kind of notice too.

The incoming families will appreciate your efforts in taking time to interview them and the outgoing family will need to be organized, upfront, and careful to be respectful during that time. Use the two week deposit for the LAST two weeks of care or vacation/holiday pay that is owed.

[Country Kids]

I also require a two week written notice for clients that are leaving and two week notice of any type of schedule change. The parents are charged for the two weeks up to the last day that care is received.

If they bail out, the next step is after the two week, file a small claims case with that amount and then any late fees they would incur.

[Texasjeepgirl]

Now THIS is the most level-headed thing I've read on this forum site in a long time. Amen to every word you said. I couldn't agree more.

Edit: I love your handbook!! It's so complete and covers anything and everything. I may have to steal from it, with your permission of course! Oh, btw, it's spelled sepArate, and sepAration. (Sorry, I get in trouble sometimes for correcting spelling!) And also, I noticed you didn't mention Memorial Day in your holiday list. You've really put some time into developing your handbook - I can tell. Nice job.

Absolutely NO NEED to apologize for the spelling corrections.. I CAN spell.. . but.. sometimes.. well I'm as human as the next person.. and.. allot of times.. I type so darn fast.. I just miss it.. and WOW.. I didn't realized I left Memorial Day out of my handbook.. good eye.. it has ALWAYS been in there.. I guess I just missed it when typing it up in that website form.. I just did that last year... and HONESTLY it is the BEST thing I ever did.. for my business...
When I get a phone call for a potential client.. I speak with them briefly... try to engage them and answer a few questions.. then I ask if they have access to the internet.. .and IF SO.. I direct them to go to my website.. READ my handbook.. and.. if they are still interested in an interview after that.. they can either call back...or email to set up a time...
THIS WEEDS OUT allot of the people who don't want to follow my policies..
IF I never hear from them again.. then I know I didn't need them wasting my time with an interview...
IF they are quality parents.. and really interested in quality child care.. I hear back from them...

Anyway...THANK you for the compliments.. AND the spell check.. I appreciate it..

[Lucy]

Anyway...THANK you for the compliments.. AND the spell check.. I appreciate it..

No problem.

[Texasjeepgirl]

I meant to also say...you are certainly welcome to use any portion of my PARENT HANDBOOK that you feel will help you improve your own..
My parent handbook is a combination of 19 years as a Licensed Home Child Care provider, as well as bouncing ideas off of other care givers.. reading other PARENT HANDBOOKS.. From LICENSED CENTERS as well as from Home Care providers... I have a dear friend in my town.. she and I have worked together on our Handbook MANY times.. and although she doesn't use everything I have...and I don't use everything she has... we blend several things ...and come up with what will work for our own PERSONAL Daycare business.. As I stated in previous post.. if you find a spelling or punctuation error.. please.. feel free to point it out to me...

https://www.tammyschildcare.com

www.texasjeepgirl.shutterfly.com

[Lucy]

I meant to also say...you are certainly welcome to use any portion of my PARENT HANDBOOK that you feel will help you improve your own..
My parent handbook is a combination of 19 years as a Licensed Home Child Care provider, as well as bouncing ideas off of other care givers.. reading other PARENT HANDBOOKS.. From LICENSED CENTERS as well as from Home Care providers... I have a dear friend in my town.. she and I have worked together on our Handbook MANY times.. and although she doesn't use everything I have...and I don't use everything she has... we blend several things ...and come up with what will work for our own PERSONAL Daycare business.. As I stated in previous post.. if you find a spelling or punctuation error.. please.. feel free to point it out to me...

https://www.tammyschildcare.com

www.texasjeepgirl.shutterfly.com

Thanks for that. I'm right behind you with 17 years. I started out with a less than one page hand-written "agreement", which basically just stated the kid's name, birthdate, phone numbers, and the price! LOL. That was it! No rules, no nothing. I only had them pay for days they came, I had no legal way to collect if they left me owing money, etc, etc. I look back at that and cringe! I have adapted things over the years, needless to say, but I could always use more tweeking. Thanks again.

[Texasjeepgirl]

Thanks for that. I'm right behind you with 17 years. I started out with a less than one page hand-written "agreement", which basically just stated the kid's name, birthdate, phone numbers, and the price! LOL. That was it! No rules, no nothing. I only had them pay for days they came, I had no legal way to collect if they left me owing money, etc, etc. I look back at that and cringe! I have adapted things over the years, needless to say, but I could always use more tweeking. Thanks again.

I know exactly what you're talking about....I did the EXACT SAME THING.. for years and years... I didn't charge for holidays either.. for a long time.. DUMB.. real DUMB..
I also didn't charge for vacations until 1 year ago.... which meant that in 2007 .. when I had a hysterectomy... I had my sister come from out of town.. I worked Monday.. had surgery Tuesday.. came home from hospital on Thursday.. and sent my sister home... went back to work Friday.. with the assistance of my 4 teenage daughters... (THANK GOODNESS)...
ANYWAY..I can probably use some 'tweeking' myself..so if you find something great... send me an email..

[Lucy]

I know exactly what you're talking about....I did the EXACT SAME THING.. for years and years... I didn't charge for holidays either.. for a long time.. DUMB.. real DUMB..
I also didn't charge for vacations until 1 year ago.... which meant that in 2007 .. when I had a hysterectomy... I had my sister come from out of town.. I worked Monday.. had surgery Tuesday.. came home from hospital on Thursday.. and sent my sister home... went back to work Friday.. with the assistance of my 4 teenage daughters... (THANK GOODNESS)...
ANYWAY..I can probably use some 'tweeking' myself..so if you find something great... send me an email..

I know what you mean. I don't remember when it was, but at some point I was at my first aid class and we were talking on the break. This one lady talked about how she charged a "tuition". One set price, no deductions for days missed - whether it was for their sickness, vacation, etc., or mine. Paid holidays, paid days off, etc. I swear doves flew out from somewhere behind me, the wind blew my hair, and angels sang a beautiful "ahhhhhhhh". It changed everything for me. I remember thinking, "we can do that???". LOL.

[Unregistered]

Now what?

Still don't have an official notice but was told by one of the parents last night they would get it to me in less than 2 weeks. I am advertising. What if I can fill the spot before they want to be done with daycare here?

Also was told that the parents need me to review the school evaluation/report card of the child because they disagree with the responses from the teachers and since I spend the most time with little "Clark" they want me to write up my own assessment in response to the school one. I have no official training in that area. Do I really have to do this? I don't want to, I'm uncomfortable doing it and want to know what you all would say/do? This is also the family that begged me to homeschool their child. I did not have any interest in doing that and told them I couldn't devote my time to the other kids if I was homeschooling their boy.

????

[nannyde]

Still don't have an official notice but was told by one of the parents last night they would get it to me in less than 2 weeks. I am advertising. What if I can fill the spot before they want to be done with daycare here?

Also was told that the parents need me to review the school evaluation/report card of the child because they disagree with the responses from the teachers and since I spend the most time with little "Clark" they want me to write up my own assessment in response to the school one. I have no official training in that area. Do I really have to do this? I don't want to, I'm uncomfortable doing it and want to know what you all would say/do? This is also the family that begged me to homeschool their child. I did not have any interest in doing that and told them I couldn't devote my time to the other kids if I was homeschooling their boy.

????

If you fill the slot give them two weeks notice and move on.

Regarding the school assessment. Tell them that you offer that for 100 dollars per child. Let you know if they would like you to do it. Payment needs to be in advance of services.

[Kaddidle Care]

For sure! You should be paid for any extras above and beyond the normal routine. Take note from the banks - I think it's $10.00 per page for anything - many fees are $25.00 or better.

(And these are the people that are leaving that want all this?)

Just remember, you can say no.

[Blackcat31]

Still don't have an official notice but was told by one of the parents last night they would get it to me in less than 2 weeks. I am advertising. What if I can fill the spot before they want to be done with daycare here?

Also was told that the parents need me to review the school evaluation/report card of the child because they disagree with the responses from the teachers and since I spend the most time with little "Clark" they want me to write up my own assessment in response to the school one. I have no official training in that area. Do I really have to do this? I don't want to, I'm uncomfortable doing it and want to know what you all would say/do? This is also the family that begged me to homeschool their child. I did not have any interest in doing that and told them I couldn't devote my time to the other kids if I was homeschooling their boy.

????

THAT^^^ (in bold) is exactly what you need to tell them. You are NOT required to do any of what they are asking.

Wonder what would happen if you said you agreed with the comments the teacher has made?

[KAWISTA9]

Still don't have an official notice but was told by one of the parents last night they would get it to me in less than 2 weeks. I am advertising. What if I can fill the spot before they want to be done with daycare here?

Also was told that the parents need me to review the school evaluation/report card of the child because they disagree with the responses from the teachers and since I spend the most time with little "Clark" they want me to write up my own assessment in response to the school one. I have no official training in that area. Do I really have to do this? I don't want to, I'm uncomfortable doing it and want to know what you all would say/do? This is also the family that begged me to homeschool their child. I did not have any interest in doing that and told them I couldn't devote my time to the other kids if I was homeschooling their boy.

????

Do not let them take you for a ride...give them a two weeks notice...You have spot to fill!!!

[MarinaVanessa]

Agreed. If you find another child and the other DCP hasn't given you your 2 weeks notice yet then you give them one. Just remember if you are at max capacity to tell the new client that you'll have the opening in 2 weeks, then give your other client their 2 week notice.

If you aren't at max capacity and have an extra slot then it won't be that big of an issue. You can then start the new client immediately if you wanted to and then decide whether you wanted to give your other DCF their 2 week notice or let them continue to go to your DC until they give you theirs and finish their contract. I don't know if that little bit of extra income would be worth it to you or not.

As for the written thing that they want, just tell them no if you really don't want to do it. Be honest.
"Hey Sally. About that letter you wanted from me ... well I'm just really not comfortable with doing that for you. I'm not qualified to assess a child much less since I know that children behave differently around different people. As far as I know DCC could be bahaving that way at school and not here. I can only say what goes on here.
That being said if you still really want me to write you a letter I suppose I could do that. There is a fee of $X per page and I have to be honest with you and tell you that I will be dedicating an entire paragraph in the beginning saying that I am NOT an expert or proffesionally trained or qualified to assess any child in any way shape or form and that it will only be my own personal opinion. You know ... liability, you know how it goes"

And leave it at that.