Terminating Childcare Agreement

[Guest]

This is my first time posting, so please forgive me if I do something incorrectly! I have a client who has been bringing her three children to me for a year now. She was actually the reason I became a childcare provider.

That being said, I felt bad for her and cut her a deal on childcare because she said she didn't have the money to pay the full rate. I make the hourly rate for one child for her three children. She is supposedly on the waiting list for vouchers.

She has her children for 3 days, and then her ex husband has them for 3 days, so her hours vary week to week. She is a part-time client despite the fact that she works and attends school. Her hours vary from 1st to 2nd shift as well, taking up three spots on each shift that I am open.

She never provides me a schedule, and calls or texts me the day before she needs childcare. My contract specifies that I am not open on weekends, but she still calls me on Fridays to say the kids will be here on a Saturday, and I give in because I don't want her to lose her job. Since her schedule varies so much, she pays after childcare is provided and doesn't pay regularly.

AND her children are always sick. ALWAYS. She uses Tylenol to cover up fevers when my contract clearly states that that is grounds for termination, and I find myself constantly wiping a green snotty nose.

I have two new clients starting soon, and with her children, this will put me over ratio.

My main question is, should I use scheduling conflicts as the reason for termination, or use all of the other situations as well? I have let this go on for FAR too long.

[Blackcat31]

I would personally use the fact that she blantantly disregards any rules/policies you have and term for that reason. Something like,

"Dear daycare parent:

This is written notice that the last day I will provide child care for your children is Friday, March xx, 2012. I am unable to accommodate your schedule at this time and feel that our arrangement is no longer a good fit for either of us.

Signed,

Daycare Provider."

The LESS words you use the less she can argue or negotiate with you. The hardest part will be standing your ground since you, yourself, said you give in to her requests. You need to really step up and stop feeling so badly for her. It is one thing to help someone but she is really taking advantage of you and if you want it to stop, you are the only one who has the power to do that.

Good luck, as this is the hardest part of this job, but YOU CAN DO IT!! The forum members are here for support and advice so you are NOT alone!

[MrsB]

First of all, welcome to the forums! There are many amazing providers with lots of wonderful advice, experience, and tough love, as I like to call it.

Are you giving her notice? like 2 weeks?

If you are giving her proper notice, you dont need to give her any reason. Just make it short and sweet.


"This is notice that I can no longer provide care for ___________, _____________, and ___________ as of ________________ date"

I am not really sure what your contract says, but if you are not giving her notice than immediate termination needs to be for a reason that is in violation of the contract and you have to state which policy was broken.

Just be prepared, in my experience a DCM like this will either promise you she will adhere to your policies like picking up on time, or paying on time, but then it will just be more of the same or she will split without paying up.

If you feel like you need to give her a reason give her several so that she doesnt feel like she can negotiate. BE STRONG!happyfacehappyfacehappyface Dont give in. If you dont follow your own rules, you can't expect parents to follow them either. This forum has helped me alot with finding my backbone!

[PitterPatter]

Blackcat said it all! I'm just here to support you and lend you my backbone! You can do this and when/if she turns the tears on stand your ground! Been there done that with all the guilt trips! Last guilt trip I had was the children could die in a house fire if DCM paid me. So I know how you feel stay strong we are here to back you 100%

As I learned her long ago, "Don't let them make their problems your problems"

happyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyface

Good luck!!

[countrymom]

don't let her problems become your problems. I think I would term them and find others to fill the spot.

[Unregistered]

Her issues are not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to provide good quality care to her children during YOUR hours of operation. Also if her children are too sick to be in daycare, she should be at home caring for them. ( I can never understand parents who opt to not care for their own sick kids, kids want their parents when they are ill!)
I would terminate them based on her inability to follow your rules. Give her the notice and look for new dcks who will pay you the asking rate.
It is my experience that most dcps who are given notice usually are not surprised by it. Most of them know they have been abusing their childcare provider and deep down are not at all shocked to be told that they need to find new childcare. She knows she is doing you wrong but likely doesn't really care.
Be firm and hold your ground no matter how much she may try to talk her way out of it. There are great dckps out there but sometimes you have to be picky in order to find them.
Good luck

[shan.nichole]

Thank you all very much, hopefully I can be firm and stand behind my plans. I have 2 new DCK's coming soon and there is a ratio conflict on a few of those days. I do plan to give two weeks, however I reserve the right to terminate immediately for any reason. My contract covers all the rules, I just need to grow a backbone and demand that they be followed!

[Blackcat31]

Thank you all very much, hopefully I can be firm and stand behind my plans. I have 2 new DCK's coming soon and there is a ratio conflict on a few of those days. I do plan to give two weeks, however I reserve the right to terminate immediately for any reason. My contract covers all the rules, I just need to grow a backbone and demand that they be followed!

happyfacehappyfacehappyface YOU CAN DO IT!!! happyfacehappyfacehappyface

You will be amazed at how good you feel once you just do it!!!

I am rooting for you!! happyface