Sticking With Your Loyal Customers

[daycare]

Hello everyone,

So I have a little dilemma.

I have had one of my PT DCK since she was 6 months old, who is now 4. She has always been part time and comes M-W_TH. Her family is amazing and I love this little girl like she was my own child. Her and my son are just a few weeks apart and are just the cutest pair of playmates.

The issue is that I have another DCF that has their son in my DC FT 5 days a week. He has been with me only since NOV. and he has already left once, when dad lost his job and then I took him back right after Christmas when Dad got a new job. The parents of this boy actually have two children, but I dont have space for their other child, who is only 20 months and would need part time care. This has worked out just fine, until this Friday night when the mom called me to tell me that the parents are getting a divorce and she will need full time care for both boys.

In my contract, it states that full time care has priority over part time care.

The parents are expecting me to let go of my only PT DCG, so that their other child can attend. UUUGGHHHH..

I don't want to terminate care for my PT client, as they have been so loyal to me, my business, and my family. My thought is, well this new family that has only been here since NOV can up and leave tomorrow, they already did it once before. I can't imagine telling my long time LOYAL client that I have to let her go to take a new family.....

How would you guys go about this? I thought that I had things covered in my PHB/contracts, but according to the words that I have written, the new family is in the right about it.

Anyone got any advice for me?????

I am feeling so stuck and just so sad right now..........

[sharlan]

The FT family has already left you once, in a short period of time. I wouldn't trust them to stay. The PT family has been loyal for 3 1/2 years. I wouldn't bail on them.

If you can't accomodate both families, let the FT go.

[daycare]

thanks sharlan for responding! Glad you are here, because I did not even think of doing that.

Really, both families are amazing, but when it comes down to it, I'd take loyalty over $$$ any day.

[pfund2233]

I agree 100%! Some times $$ just doesn't matter!!

[bice99]

FT may take priority in your PHB, but if you don't already watch the brother, you have no contract with him so he doesn't take priority over anyone. And hey, we run our own businesses and get to pick and choose who we keep. Keep the loyal family

[dave4him]

Keep the loyal

[Cat Herder]

The full-timer has already left once...... I am not fond of re-enrollments and rarely do it.

In this situation the part-timer is the more stable client, IMHO.

[Solandia]

I would keep the PT steady client, and not the flakey FT client.

However, I would try to do it all. I don't take school agers, so I always technically have open spots, even if it isn't in age ratios. For a sibling of an enrolled child, I could get a variance on the ages with a plan for it to be resolved in 6mo. I have done this few times before, and it has always worked out to keep both. I had a 4.5yo, who turned 5 over the summer (and was going to school the following fall) so the licensor said that was good enough. Another time it was waiting for a 22mo to turn 24mo. Another time was I had too many under 2yo with a brand new spring sibling baby, but it was only for a couple of months until school was out, teacher's kids would go on summer break...after break I would be back in compliance.

[LittleD]

Can your contract be interpreted to mean that it's kids in your care? The 20 mth old isn't one of your dck so he doesn't apply. i.e if the one you watch goes from PT to FT then it would apply?
You didn't have space for him before, and you don't have space for him now. KWIM??

[laundrymom]

I'm going to be blunt..sorry if I offend. THEIR personal issues DONT dictate YOUR business. It sounds like you love your pt girl.

Its honestly none of their business who is there and whether they are full or part time.

They have one full time slot. You aren't offering them a second slot. Their divorce is not your problem. If you cant accommodate. You cant. Whether by choice or not isn't the issue.

Repeat:

I'm so sorry Kari, i do not have a full time opening right now. I am not able to take samuel. I understand the position you are in but I am unable to keep both the kids.

[Blackcat31]

I'm going to be blunt..sorry if I offend. THEIR personal issues DONT dictate YOUR business. It sounds like you love your pt girl.

Its honestly none of their business who is there and whether they are full or part time.

They have one full time slot. You aren't offering them a second slot. Their divorce is not your problem. If you cant accommodate. You cant. Whether by choice or not isn't the issue.

Repeat:

I'm so sorry Kari, i do not have a full time opening right now. I am not able to take samuel. I understand the position you are in but I am unable to keep both the kids.

This is good advice. The only available space you have seems to be Tuesdays and Fridays so I cant see how you could enroll a new child for any more than that.

Yes, full time ALWAYS trumps part time but ONLY for enrolled children NOT enrolled families.

[DaycareMama]

I would have to agree with everyone else. Loyalty is huge in my book! Hope it works out for you

[daycare]

I would keep the PT steady client, and not the flakey FT client.

However, I would try to do it all. I don't take school agers, so I always technically have open spots, even if it isn't in age ratios. For a sibling of an enrolled child, I could get a variance on the ages with a plan for it to be resolved in 6mo. I have done this few times before, and it has always worked out to keep both. I had a 4.5yo, who turned 5 over the summer (and was going to school the following fall) so the licensor said that was good enough. Another time it was waiting for a 22mo to turn 24mo. Another time was I had too many under 2yo with a brand new spring sibling baby, but it was only for a couple of months until school was out, teacher's kids would go on summer break...after break I would be back in compliance.

thanks for responding....I am in CA and at no time can we ever be over our numbers. CA does not allow for a variance for any reason at any time. My son meets the age cut off for a school ager, but he is not in school so he still does not count.

[daycare]

This is good advice. The only available space you have seems to be Tuesdays and Fridays so I cant see how you could enroll a new child for any more than that.

Yes, full time ALWAYS trumps part time but ONLY for enrolled children NOT enrolled families.

looks like I need to add this to my PHB....

"Yes, full time ALWAYS trumps part time but ONLY for enrolled children NOT enrolled families."

Just when i think I got it all covered........

[Blackcat31]

looks like I need to add this to my PHB....

"Yes, full time ALWAYS trumps part time but ONLY for enrolled children NOT enrolled families."

Just when i think I got it all covered........

I know right?!