To Hold Or Not To Hold?

[MrsB]

So I have a potential daycare family that would fill the last of my 2 full time spots and my last part time spot.

So the background is when I initially talked to mom, they said they were looking at starting right away, within a week or two of interview. They came by for the interview last night, where we went through the contract and they seemed delighted with my program.

She called me last night and said that they would love to have them start here, but wanted to wait until after my vacation (March 19-23) instead of next week. I told her I would get back to her today after I had some time to think about it.

After I calculated it, I will be losing $1600 by waiting until the last week of March to accept them. Although I kind of get them not wanting to start until after I take my vacation, I am not sure if it is because they dont have backup care for that week, or they dont want to pay for my vacation and have to find backup care that week. (My contract is they pay half the normal weekly rate for my vacation)

I have had 12 phone calls of people interested in the 2 full time slots that wanted to set up tours. I am sure I could probably fill them right away and the part time slot is only 45 mins in the morning so I never really intended on filling it anyway.

The family was fine, and I think they would be a good fit, but I wasnt totally in love with them either. Especially since their son who is the SA who would only be here for 45 mins in the morning supposedly has a very small cat allergy, which I have cats. They said they would give him his allergy meds in the morning and he should be fine, but I just dont know.

What are your policies on holding a slot open, and how long do you hold it open? Any thoughts?

[Cat Herder]

They don't want to have to pay during your vacation?

Not sure I'd bend over backwards for them....

I think I'd pass.

(I don't even charge for my vacations, but if they were already looking for loopholes in my contract I'd pass.)

[JenNJ]

I am seeing red flags.

Flag #1: They don't have reliable backup.
Flag #2: They are already talking about your vacation. Will they pull their children when the next vacation comes?
Flag #3: They expect something (holding spot) for nothing.

I would just say that you are going to keep interviewing. If they want the space now, they can come now. If they want it in March, they can pay full rates or a hefty holding fee. If not, they can call in March and see if you have a slot available.

[wdmmom]

I'd pass. To me it sounds like a bunch of words but what I'm really hearing is:

I don't want to pay for your vacation.

I may only need someone temporarily so I can get out of the contract easily if I use the allergy excuse.

If you take them on, require a 2 week non refundable deposit to be applied to the final 2 weeks of care and charge them a fee between 50 and 66% of your weekly rate to hold the spot for that long.

[CheekyChick]

In all honesty, I wouldn't want to pay for someone's vacation either. That's why I don't charge parents for my vacation. Just because they don't want to pay for your vacation time (this year) doesn't mean they won't be an awesome fit. It also doesn't mean they will have a problem paying your vacation time next year.

I would just keep interviewing and if you can't find a family you like better, give them the spot.

[Blackcat31]

I would just ask them. Is it because they don't want to pay for your vacation or is it because they don't have back up? It helps to sometimes just lay it all out there. If they are having issues now before starting, who knows what will come up later.

But then again, you might be surprised at her reason for waiting so it can't hurt to ask. I would also make a point of letting her know that you have others who want the space too so that might sway her into moving now rather than waiting...kwim?

Basically, I would get to the bottom of it all before I made any decisions of my own.

[saved4always]

I've been on both sides so I can kinda see why parents do what they do

I don't charge for my vacation either. It just doesn't sit well with me personally that they would have to pay me for not providing care and pay for back up care. I would personally feel bad but I understand why some providers do charge. That can be very expensive for parents, though. I used to have my older kids in daycare so I know that money is often VERY tight when paying for daycare for multiples. It was a very fine line whether it was worth it for me to work full time or not based on how many kids I paid daycare for. That line got crossed when I had my 3rd. That is when I decided to stay home. Paying double for a week for my 2 kids would have meant some bills that would not be able to be paid or would have been late. So, it could very well be that they do not want to pay for your vacation, especially this close to starting with you.

Another thought....could it be that they are still with a current provider who they would no longer have to watch during your vacation if they moved to you right now? It is not as easy as it sounds sometimes for parents to get back up care. Even if they have people who agree to be back up, there is no guarantee that it will actually be available when they need it. It is not like the back up is waiting around to be needed everyday, making no plans. Even grandparents have lives I have found. So maybe they want to start after your vacation because they want to use their current provider to make it easier for them?

So I can kind of see if from the parents side, however, if you don't have the warm fuzzies about them (allergies, policies disagreement, etc.), I would tell them that you are still interviewing. So, if you find someone willing to start immediately to fill the spots, you are not holding it for the first family. Or charge them a fee to hold it so they do not back out later.

[itlw8]

I do charge for all vacations but I never charge families that have just started up to about 3 months. I tell them I will be taking a vacation ____ While my vacations are paid I never charge people who just started.

back up for a week is hard to find with out notice so I would not hold them against them but I would want a deposit or holding fee I normally nly give them 2 weeks to start as that is the normal notice around here.

[MrsB]

Thanks everyone for your input.

@CheekyChick. My contract states you pay half tuition for my vacation 2 weeks per year. In return they get 2 weeks vacation they only have to pay half the weekly rate. Although I get my vacation is in 5 weeks and she doesnt want to have to find someone else after just starting care, I can't say no you dont have to pay it but everyone else who has been here longer, does have to pay it.

I just sent her an email, stating that with all the interest I have in the available positions I cant lose out on over $1000 to hold the spots until March 24th. I told her I would hold the spots no longer than March 5th (which is 2 weeks). If they want to still start the 26th they will need to pay for the spot from March 5 to March 26th ($700 = 2 weeks @ $280 plus $140 for my vacation week) which will be nonrefundable. I also normally charge a 2 week deposit that you can use for the last 2 weeks of care with 2 weeks notice. I waved that as long as she realizes that 2 weeks notice is still required to terminate care and if 2 weeks is not given 2 weeks worth of pay is still due.

My position is not to get money for free or to create a financial burden on her. I just can't leave the slots open and lose 5 weeks worth of pay, because they can't make arrangements for 1 week. (whether their burden is because they dont have backup for that week or because they can't afford to pay me half tuition and someone else full tuition for that week) I think my offer was fair.

Just from an added note, from what she said last night, all of the places that she had interviewed with charged the full amount during provider vacations, she was very excited that mine where its only half and that they get 2 weeks also. Which suggests to me that they dont have backup for my vacation week. Even if they dont you would think 4 weeks would be long enough to find it? All well, its in her hands now.

[wdmmom]

Thanks everyone for your input.

@CheekyChick. My contract states you pay half tuition for my vacation 2 weeks per year. In return they get 2 weeks vacation they only have to pay half the weekly rate. Although I get my vacation is in 5 weeks and she doesnt want to have to find someone else after just starting care, I can't say no you dont have to pay it but everyone else who has been here longer, does have to pay it.

I just sent her an email, stating that with all the interest I have in the available positions I cant lose out on over $1000 to hold the spots until March 24th. I told her I would hold the spots no longer than March 5th (which is 2 weeks). If they want to still start the 26th they will need to pay for the spot from March 5 to March 26th ($700 = 2 weeks @ $280 plus $140 for my vacation week) which will be nonrefundable. I also normally charge a 2 week deposit that you can use for the last 2 weeks of care with 2 weeks notice. I waved that as long as she realizes that 2 weeks notice is still required to terminate care and if 2 weeks is not given 2 weeks worth of pay is still due.

My position is not to get money for free or to create a financial burden on her. I just can't leave the slots open and lose 5 weeks worth of pay, because they can't make arrangements for 1 week. (whether their burden is because they dont have backup for that week or because they can't afford to pay me half tuition and someone else full tuition for that week) I think my offer was fair.

Just from an added note, from what she said last night, all of the places that she had interviewed with charged the full amount during provider vacations, she was very excited that mine where its only half and that they get 2 weeks also. Which suggests to me that they dont have backup for my vacation week. Even if they dont you would think 4 weeks would be long enough to find it? All well, its in her hands now.

I think you handled it very appropriately.

[saved4always]

I think you handled it very appropriately.

I do, too. And it sounds like you are actually more affordable with the way you do vacation than the others in your area so that is in your favor.

I hope you get the spots filled either with this family or another so you don't lose out on payments. Vacation is not a time when you want to be short.

[MrsB]

Thanks everyone for your input.

My contract states you pay half tuition for my vacation 2 weeks per year. In return they get 2 weeks vacation they only have to pay half the weekly rate.

I just sent her an email, stating that with all the interest I have in the available positions I cant lose out on over $1600 to hold the spots until March 24th. I told her I would hold the spots no longer than March 5th (which is 2 weeks). If they want to still start the 26th they will need to pay for the spot from March 5 to March 26th ($700 = 2 weeks @ $280 plus $140 for my vacation week) which will be nonrefundable. I also normally charge a 2 week deposit that you can use for the last 2 weeks of care with 2 weeks notice. I let her know my intention wasnt to create a financial burden to them so I waved the 2 weeks deposit as long as she realizes that 2 weeks notice is still required to terminate care and if 2 weeks is not given 2 weeks worth of pay is still due.

My position is not to get money for free or to create a financial burden on her. I just can't leave the slots open and lose 5 weeks worth of pay, because they can't make arrangements for 1 week. (whether their burden is because they dont have backup for that week or because they can't afford to pay me half tuition and someone else full tuition for that week) I think my offer was fair.

Just from an added note, from what she said last night, all of the places that she had interviewed with charged the full amount during provider vacations, she was very excited that mine were only half and that they get 2 weeks at half also. Which suggests to me that they dont have backup for my vacation week. So I gave her a list of provider friends that she could call to see if they have availabilities for that week if they decide to start on the 5th. Even if they dont you would think 4 weeks would be long enough to find it? All well, its in her hands now.

[MrsB]

oops posted twice. Didnt realize I had already hit post before I read back through and edited my comment.

[daycare]

I didnt get to read everyone's response, but if I really liked them and felt they would be a good fit, then I would just ask for a holding fee.

I could understand not wanting to pay for the childcare or possibly not having good backup for a week.

If I was not crazy about them, I would keep on interviewing and see if there is a better fit. Make them understand that all spots are on a first come first serve basis and that you will take the best fitting family.

After interviewing and you don't like any of those families, call the family back up and tell them they will need to pay a holding fee.

I try to have patience when choosing my families now. After my first interview with them, I will hold a few other interviews to see if there is a better family and child that fits the spot I have open. Good things come to those who can wait.... or something like that....

[MrsB]

Update

So the mom called me last night and said that she REALLY loved my set up and of all the places she has been to, mine seems like the best fit for them. She is dropping of the $700 check this week and the kids will start March 26th after I return from my vacation.

I was still a little hesitant and told her my reservations about her not having a back up, but said she does have a back up for holidays/sick days but is working on it for vacation time.

I feel really encouraged by this family because it seems they are making a decision about care based on what is best for their kids and not solely based on the $.

My next step, working on getting an assitant hired!