Downsizing?

[Guest]

Anyone every had to downsize their daycare? I need to downsize by one family to make things work smoother here for my family needs. How do I go about telling the family? There is really nothing they have done at all. So I can't site a very specific reason, it just came down to they were the ones who cause the biggest jam in our schedule.

It was a really hard decision because I actually like all of my families right now! They all pay on time, pick up on time and are generally really great families. But I have to do what is best for my family first.

Any ideas or experience to share?

Thanks!

[Country Kids]

May I ask what you mean a jam in your schedule? Do you mean they are there when you have to leave to be somewhere? Do you have to be somewhere during your "Open" hours?

If that is the case I would be hurt and upset if my provider said that I was being let go because I was jamming up her personal life, especially if it was during my scheduled hours/her open hours.

The way I solved this is over a course of 5 months I decreased my closing time by 1 hour, then increased it by half an hour. I closed earlier in the summer because no one needed me that late and then when the school year started increased it to help my families. I picked 5 o'clock because this allowed all my parents to get here and us to still get to where we needed to as a family.

So really look at if they family is still there during operational hours. Maybe go with you will be closing earlier because your family is needed the time to do afterschool things or whatever.

[Growing1atime]

May I ask what you mean a jam in your schedule? Do you mean they are there when you have to leave to be somewhere? Do you have to be somewhere during your "Open" hours?

If that is the case I would be hurt and upset if my provider said that I was being let go because I was jamming up her personal life, especially if it was during my scheduled hours/her open hours.

Well obviously I am not going to say to my daycare parent they are jamming up my schedule. It was a figure of speech. Sometimes on this forum you have to watch every little word.

And yes, I have to be somewhere during my "Open" hours. Not all of the daycares in America have the same policies. I have made it perfectly clear to all of my families that I have four children of my own. One of them is in preschool and I have to drop her off and pick her up about a mile away three days a week. I try my best to get someone over here when I have too many kids to transport. If I can't then my daughter doesn't get to go to preschool. Since my husband's new job gave us such a boost in our income I have the choice now to downsize and be able to always get her to school.

The reason this particular family is the pick to go is because they need me to have a flex schedule. They only need two days a week and they change the days weekly. It is just not working anymore. It is too hard to constantly have to cover the days when they happen to land on a MWF.

I don't want to get into the particulars with the parents. I just want to get it done with as little controversy as possible. No drama.

[LittleD]

I would start by telling them (in letter of course) that little johnny is a joy to watch, and that the family has been very helpful. Then I would try and come up with something like due to personal reasons, you are unable to offer flexible care.
Just wondering, if they were able to give you steady dates/times, would you continue to provide care (providing it is with in the times that you can do it?) or did you want to lighten your work load? Because if you wanted to lighten your work load, you might want to give a different reason.

[mommiesherie]

Maybe you can tell them I can only be available to watch your children on (what ever days that it works for you) due to conflict in schedule on the other days. That way they can decide if they can work around your schedule. Chances are they won't and you won't have to worry about it anymore

[morgan24]

I had to drop from 6 kids down to 4 about 10 years ago. I was helping take care of my fil who was ill. I needed to let the family that stayed the latest go. Even though I did like them they were the ones keeping me from doing what I needed to do. It was hard and she didn't really like it but it had to be done.

Since you can afford to lose this family I wouldn't make your daughter miss preschool for them. I like mommiesherries idea of giving them the days you are available and let them decide if they can work it out.

[Blackcat31]

Dear Family,

Due to personal reasons, I will no longer be able to continue offering flexible scheduling. The last day I will be able to provide care for your family will be on______. I have included the names/numbers of a few area providers that may be able to accommodate your needs.
Thank you,

Provider.



If they have questions, then address them face to face and tell them that your personal life makes it so that you will need to take fewer children and their schedule just doesn't work for you. Let them know it is nothing personal towards them.

Life is just what it is. I couldn't imagine a family choosing a childcare that had hours that didn't work for them so it is really no different for providers.

Sometimes things change and what worked before doesn't work now. It is what it is and if it were me in your situation, I would give them the written notice and then talk face to face with them without getting into my personal reasons, just enough convo to let them know I wish them the best, that you will gladly give them references (if they were a great family to you) and that you will miss them but everyone needs to do what is best for them.

[KBCsMommy]

Dear Family,

Due to personal reasons, I will no longer be able to continue offering flexible scheduling. The last day I will be able to provide care for your family will be on______. I have included the names/numbers of a few area providers that may be able to accommodate your needs.
Thank you,

Provider.



If they have questions, then address them face to face and tell them that your personal life makes it so that you will need to take fewer children and their schedule just doesn't work for you. Let them know it is nothing personal towards them.

Life is just what it is. I couldn't imagine a family choosing a childcare that had hours that didn't work for them so it is really no different for providers.

Sometimes things change and what worked before doesn't work now. It is what it is and if it were me in your situation, I would give them the written notice and then talk face to face with them without getting into my personal reasons, just enough convo to let them know I wish them the best, that you will gladly give them references (if they were a great family to you) and that you will miss them but everyone needs to do what is best for them.

This ^^^^^^

I would type up this letter and also have a short meet with mom or dad saying the exact same thing nothing more.

Including other available providers on your term letter is great for parents because it takes a little bit of stress out of finding a new provider.

And good for you for being able to take full control of your business and doing whats best for your family!!