Should I (Would You) Be Irritated?

[Breezy]

I received a text message from DCM yesterday saying that since DCG didn't come for 3 out of the 10 days they paid for she only owes for 2 days this week (she is refunding herself money). I changed my handbook for them when they first started because she was only going to come a few days per week and didn't think she should have to pay for the full week if she wasn't going to be using all the days. It was a lot of, "well, my previous 'sitter' did this....." I was desperate for a kid so I just changed the contract to pay per day.

After being here one day they decided that instead they would pull her from her second provider and she would come FT. What I SHOULD have done was change the contract back to the original which would have included that any day that your child is ill you still owe for the day and I wouldn't be out 2 days for last week (one day I was closed because my DS was sick). I am SO upset with myself for not changing it....

Anyway, what is really upsetting more is that DCM and her Preschool son are on Spring Break next week so I will have preschool kid here too. When we originally spoke on the phone before the first interview I was never even told about preschool kid and she just showed up with him. Had I known about him I wouldn't even have done an interview because I was only filling spots for under 2. He only comes when he has days off though usually but next week could be every day. I don't understand why mom can't just spend time with both her kids and NOT take them to DC. So she TELLS me today that they won't be here Wednesday of next week. So I am assuming that they will be here every other day and only paying per day/per hour because stupid me never changed my contract,

So, I lose out on a lot of money next week and have to do twice the work and spend twice as much money on food for them because preschooler eats differently than DCG. Not to mention I will have infant DCG here who cries all day long so thats 4 kids (including my DS) which puts me right at ratio but I have never wanted to be totally at ratio. Two toddlers and a screaming infant for me is more than enough in my tiny house. But adding a preschooler in there all week when his mom won't even be working it just making me feel sick to my stomach. And he will want to go outside and play of course and I have not a clue how I will make that work supervising him and two toddlers and a crying infant......

Sorry for the whine but I am just so irritated at myself for not changing my contract back so I don't lose out on money this week and next... and for enrolling this family in the first place after they were not up front with me at all about having a preschooler that would need care.

[itlw8]

tell her No if you come 5 days you pay for 5 days... no refunds. She scheduled the other days so she owes for them

As far as the preschooler. Tell her you do not have the room.

Use your back bone

[daycare]

I agree with above..

If you want to do it this way, let me suggest this.

write up a new contract that will require her to give you her schedule with payment in advance.

EX: every friday by closing she must give you the schedule for the next week with payment. SO if she books 3 days, then she pays for 3 days at that time.

If she does not come, oh well too bad. No credits or make ups.

If she wants to add extra days, make them at a higher rate and let her know that you cannot not guarantee them and you must have at least 24 hour advance notice.

I can help you more with a contract for this if you would like...

[Breezy]

tell her No if you come 5 days you pay for 5 days... no refunds. She scheduled the other days so she owes for them

As far as the preschooler. Tell her you do not have the room.

Use your back bone

I technically do have the room though....ratio wise. But my home is not big enough to accommodate 3 little's and a preschooler. Is that a valid reason though?

[daycare]

you dont need a reason...its your business...If you can't accommodate him then you cant.No need to explain

[Breezy]

I agree with above..

If you want to do it this way, let me suggest this.

write up a new contract that will require her to give you her schedule with payment in advance.

EX: every friday by closing she must give you the schedule for the next week with payment. SO if she books 3 days, then she pays for 3 days at that time.

If she does not come, oh well too bad. No credits or make ups.

If she wants to add extra days, make them at a higher rate and let her know that you cannot not guarantee them and you must have at least 24 hour advance notice.

I can help you more with a contract for this if you would like...

DCG is usually scheduled for FT 5 days per week Mon-Fri. Next week is just different because of Spring Break so both kids will be coming for a few hours (or all hours- who knows) But, yes i need to just give her my normal contract to sign that says that she pays for a spot not per day....

[MrsB]

I technically do have the room though....ratio wise. But my home is not big enough to accommodate 3 little's and a preschooler. Is that a valid reason though?

I agree with daycare you dont have to give a reason, but if you feel like you need to. Say I dont currently have any openings for _______ (insert name). If she gives you gruff. Respond with something like: I never agreed that I would be able to take him whenever you needed care. I can add him to the waiting list and I'll let you know if something is available.

[Blackcat31]

Change the contract NOW before you allow her to come back to care at all.

You don't have to give notice for the change. Just hand mom the contract and say there has apparently been a mis-understanding as the original contract was for when she was a "drop in" or occassional care user but since switching to full time you were under the impression mom completely understood having to pay for a full time space (not attendance only) If she balks at it, tell her "Sorry, but that is how I do it." DO NOT TRY TO ACCOMMODATE her needs. She is taking advantage and she knows it!

As far as the preschooler goes, I agree with previous posters. You say "I do not have room for a pre-schooler. Sorry but I would have told you that had yu mentioned it at the interview." Again, do NOT try to be flexible or accommodating. This situation is HER problem NOT yours.

She either wants the space (while abiding by your policies) or she doesn't.

As a matter of fact, I would call her right now and discuss this issue with her so there is NO mis-understandings. Tell her you are preparing the new contract so she can sign it upon next drop off.

Stay strong!!

[littlemissmuffet]

1) Prepare to replace this family - put and ad out and start interviewing.

2) New contract IMMEDIATELY - pay per spot not per day. If she doesn't like it she can go elsewhere.

3) You can let her know you only provide care while parents are working or in school - that's what I do.

4) You need to decide if you can care for both of the children in this family or not... and then you need to inform mom and let her decide if she wants to find a new daycare to accomidate care for both kiddos.

5) The preschooler eats diffrently than his sister? WHY? Does he have a special diet or is he just picky? If he's just picky, oh well - it's our job to serve healthy meals, it's the kid's job to eat... if they don't, it's not our problem.

6) Next time a family lies to you or withholds information (like needing care for 2 kids) don't sign them on... no matter how desperate - lying/omitting facts is the biggest red flag in this business I can think of!

Good luck!

[Breezy]

1) Prepare to replace this family - put and ad out and start interviewing.

2) New contract IMMEDIATELY - pay per spot not per day. If she doesn't like it she can go elsewhere.

3) You can let her know you only provide care while parents are working or in school - that's what I do.

4) You need to decide if you can care for both of the children in this family or not... and then you need to inform mom and let her decide if she wants to find a new daycare to accomidate care for both kiddos.

5) The preschooler eats diffrently than his sister? WHY? Does he have a special diet or is he just picky? If he's just picky, oh well - it's our job to serve healthy meals, it's the kid's job to eat... if they don't, it's not our problem.

6) Next time a family lies to you or withholds information (like needing care for 2 kids) don't sign them on... no matter how desperate - lying/omitting facts is the biggest red flag in this business I can think of!

Good luck!

It is in my handbook actually that I only provide care for while at work or school....

[Breezy]

New contract sent :/

[wdmmom]

Ummm. NO. Sorry. That's not how it works.

If they agreed to Fulltime, they pay a full time rate. Not daily.

And as for next Wednesday, it's also a chargeable day. Schedule changes must be provided 2 weeks in advance and APPROVED beforehand!

This mom is trying to pull one over on you. Now is when you need to find your backbone and tell her how YOU run your daycare!

[Breezy]

On a side note kind of.... for those of you that read my other thread regarding my husband and other things.....

I was talking to my hubby about all of this on his lunch break and at first he was not supportive of me saying anything and not understanding but I told him that I need his support. This is my business and I am not going to be walked all over. I don't understand why he can't be in my corner. I am not stupid and I know that standing up for myself could cost me families but it will gain me self confidence and happiness in myself and business.

He apologized and said he didn't mean to make me feel that way and he was sincere about it. I don't think he has ever apologized like that in the past!!

[Blackcat31]

On a side note kind of.... for those of you that read my other thread regarding my husband and other things.....

I was talking to my hubby about all of this on his lunch break and at first he was not supportive of me saying anything and not understanding but I told him that I need his support. This is my business and I am not going to be walked all over. I don't understand why he can't be in my corner. I am not stupid and I know that standing up for myself could cost me families but it will gain me self confidence and happiness in myself and business.

He apologized and said he didn't mean to make me feel that way and he was sincere about it. I don't think he has ever apologized like that in the past!!

happyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyface

I think it helps alot that you are telling him how you feel. I think your DH probably behaves according to how HE thinks you feel and now that you are verbally telling him, he will get better at thinking from your perspective.

[wdmmom]

He apologized and said he didn't mean to make me feel that way and he was sincere about it. I don't think he has ever apologized like that in the past!!

You just scored another piece to the puzzle!