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

[Unregistered]

Waiting....

Any news yet? I'm stressed for you, just knowing how you must be feeling. We just lost 4 full time children within 1 week of each other. sibling pairs: one mom lost job, another decided we were too far for her (they'd only been here about a month, but filling two spots with that family was MUCH needed). Now we have to fill 4 spots...and around here, filling spots is nearly impossible. It took several months to fill the last two spots. Plus we get a little attached to the children, so it's always hard to see them go
I hope your's is just a misunderstanding on the child's part. Did he seem happy about it, or even a little sad to be leaving you? That's what would bother me most, although it probably shouldn't. That and the fact that the parents weren't completely open with me...

Thank you for sharing my stress! I'll be all better after drop off today so will be back on after the kids get on the bus this a.m.!

that is awful that you had 4 to fill. And yes, we do get attached to the kids. They become like our own family despite the parents attitudes and actions. Let's all try to have an awesome day!

[Unregistered]

there you have it

Any news yet? I'm stressed for you, just knowing how you must be feeling. We just lost 4 full time children within 1 week of each other. sibling pairs: one mom lost job, another decided we were too far for her (they'd only been here about a month, but filling two spots with that family was MUCH needed). Now we have to fill 4 spots...and around here, filling spots is nearly impossible. It took several months to fill the last two spots. Plus we get a little attached to the children, so it's always hard to see them go
I hope your's is just a misunderstanding on the child's part. Did he seem happy about it, or even a little sad to be leaving you? That's what would bother me most, although it probably shouldn't. That and the fact that the parents weren't completely open with me...

so not a word from mom at drop off. sorry..typing one-handed.... but this a.m. boy tells me he loves his new daycare because it has more boys to play with and different games. he told me he is starting there after christmas so he still gets his gift from me
i handed out term clause revision so will see what happens.

[MichellesKiddos]

he told me he is starting there after christmas so he still gets his gift from me i handed out term clause revision so will see what happens.

You're kidding right?! I wonder if that is intentional or not...I mean why would they wait until THEN to start...:confused: So....are you going to term them? Or keep them and pretend like you know nothing? I would have a hard time keeping them and pretending like nothing is wrong, and I sure wouldn't be buying a christmas present..especially if that is all they are hanging around for kwim?

[beachgrl]

Yah, that's crazy.... I would make sure if I gave something it would be a $1 store something..what in the world?

[mismatchedsocks]

I would start advertising now to fill that spot. and if the new family needs care before christmas great, let them start whenever.

Then once the other family is ready to start tell mom, "bobby told me you have another daycare lined up, so here are his things, and good luck".

[wdmmom]

Parents are entitled to find a new provider but when the child is the one to bring it up...bad news! It creates a hostile work environment. I'd probably term and offer the opening to the other family.

There's your gift! ::::::

[MarinaVanessa]

Oh man, well there you have it then. Look on the bright side, at least now you know right?

If it were me in your shoes I'd just start looking for a replacement now. If I found one soon great! If not, well then lucky for the client. I mean, you already know that they are leaving and the parents havn't even bothered to let you know that they were even thinking of looking for a new daycare. At this point it's pretty obvious that it's every person for themselves. I say you look for your replacement family now so that you have that spot filled before the holidays even come around.

Honestly the ones that give their termination notice right before or right after the holidays are the worst for me. It makes it harder for a provider to have piece of mind when you've already gone out and started your holiday shopping or have already finished it and then you're given a termination notice. It makes it more stressfull and harder to recuperate financially from
the holidays.

[Just Saying]

I would communicate with the parent. Here is what I would do and say;

Mom walks in tonight,

Me: Hi, how was your day?

DCP: fine...lalallalalalla

Me: Little Johhny told me he loved his new daycare that you and him went to visit last night. I just wanted to communicate with you on this matter. I have 2 interviews Friday and would like to be able to tell one of them when they can start. I will need your 2 weeks notice on Friday.

DCP: excuses...excuses...excuses

Me: I have enjoyed little Johnny and have loved him very much, but I know sometimes parents just need a change. I will miss him very much.

DCP: excuses and more

Stick to your policies and if she gives you the run around, I would end it with a 2 weeks notice myself.

[Unregistered]

bring on the new clients!

I just put out my first ad with CCRR for my new clients! I haven't advertised in 3 years so this is hard for me.

This family will be gone after I get back from vacation if I can get someone new in here! I am so glad you have all given me your input and advice. I take it all into consideration whether or not it is tough for me to hear or not.

[wdmmom]

I would communicate with the parent. Here is what I would do and say;

Mom walks in tonight,

Me: Hi, how was your day?

DCP: fine...lalallalalalla

Me: Little Johhny told me he loved his new daycare that you and him went to visit last night. I just wanted to communicate with you on this matter. I have 2 interviews Friday and would like to be able to tell one of them when they can start. I will need your 2 weeks notice on Friday.

DCP: excuses...excuses...excuses

Me: I have enjoyed little Johnny and have loved him very much, but I know sometimes parents just need a change. I will miss him very much.

DCP: excuses and more

Stick to your policies and if she gives you the run around, I would end it with a 2 weeks notice myself.

This!!!! Love it, love it!!!!

[Crystal]

I am wondering why this bothers you so much. I get that it ****s hearing it from the kid, but the parent really hasn't done anything wrong here. They haven't bailed on you without payment. They have simply interviewed at a new daycare. Why would you term someone when they haven't given you a legitimite reason to do so? They still have AMPLE time to give you that two week notice IF they are really planning to leave. You are listening to a child who could misinterpret anything. Also, why should a family NOT interview other providers to see if there is a better fit for thier family....why should they be expected to stay with one provider for the long haul if that provider is not meeting their needs?

THIS type of situation and the preemptive attitude and "to term or not" is one of the reasons why parents do not respect child care providers - and it is getting quite tiresome.

[dEHmom]

I am wondering why this bothers you so much. I get that it ****s hearing it from the kid, but the parent really hasn't done anything wrong here. They haven't bailed on you without payment. They have simply interviewed at a new daycare. Why would you term someone when they haven't given you a legitimite reason to do so? They still have AMPLE time to give you that two week notice IF they are really planning to leave. You are lsitening to a child who could isinterpret anything. Also, why should a family NOT interview other providers to see if there is a better fit for thier family....why should they be expected to stay with one provider for the long haul if that provider is not meeting their needs?

THIS type of situation and the preemptive attitude and "to term or not" is one of the reasons why parents do not respect child care providers - and it is getting quite tiresome.

I agree with this. I know it ****s, and it's hard to look them in the face and know that they are doing something like this, but they are not doing anything wrong.

You know they are leaving, so try find a family to have lined up for January. I don't see anything wrong with them finishing the year with you, and switching come the new year, it's better than them switching at the end of the year in the holiday season.

[Unregistered]

it does bother me....

I am wondering why this bothers you so much. I get that it ****s hearing it from the kid, but the parent really hasn't done anything wrong here. They haven't bailed on you without payment. They have simply interviewed at a new daycare. Why would you term someone when they haven't given you a legitimite reason to do so? They still have AMPLE time to give you that two week notice IF they are really planning to leave. You are lsitening to a child who could isinterpret anything. Also, why should a family NOT interview other providers to see if there is a better fit for thier family....why should they be expected to stay with one provider for the long haul if that provider is not meeting their needs?

THIS type of situation and the preemptive attitude and "to term or not" is one of the reasons why parents do not respect child care providers - and it is getting quite tiresome.

...because I am human and have feelings and love the kid to pieces. I have spent more time with this little guy in the past 3 years than either of his parents put together. Because I have bent over backwards for these parents and put up with all of their shenanigans, lateness, craziness, entitlement, lack of parenting, for 3 plus years. Because I needed to vent on this board and get the advice of all of you. I know I am NOT alone in the way I feel.

And yes, they can go interview somewhere else...but for crying out loud, be honest about it and don't let me find it out from a child and then still ask me for more concessions in the way I run my business. I do meet their needs, they want SPECIAL (as NannyDe puts it) and they get as much special as I can muster but I know deep down why they are leaving....they are leaving because I finally got a backbone and had a rate increase. They are leaving because I will not let them cause drama in my daycare home any longer. They are leaving because they want drama and they can get it for a little while until the new provider puts his/her foot down and sends them on their way. This set of parents thrives on drama.

You struck a nerve here. I am not holding these people hostage. I just know how the parents operate and I know I am going to get screwed somehow. Just frustrates me.

[sharlan]

Rather than create all this drama for yourself, why don't you just ask the parents what is going on?

[mac60]

While I do understand that parents have the freedom to "go look elsewhere" at any time, with me, it is a bond that is formed with a family. On the flip side of it, what if providers termed a family everytime they had a "better opportunity come up" for a different family? I have passed up over and over again a full time child because a part time child was taking a spot and I didn't have room. I have never termed a family to bring in "a better family" whether it be due to hours/days/etc.

I know for me, I bring in a family with the goal to have the child till they go to school.

Because I have been burned recently by a family leaving with no notice after having their 2 children 7 years and 5 years, I am reconsidering how I do things, as I am learning that people only do what is in their best interest with no concern about the provider and the effects on them. Translation.....I need to start doing what is best for my business/income, and not worry about terming someone who is part time when the opportunity for a better prospect calls.....unfortunately I have more respect for my business and myself, and find that kind of bussiness move not to my best interest.