No Calls Coming In :( & Issue With MIA Child This Week

[rhondawarren]

I had a full house of children. All of my spots were full. But I had two children that were from the same family, well I lost them due to a situation with their mothers schooling falling through. So I no longer had them.

Which was fine because I had four other children. I ended up letting two of them go that were brother and sister because they misbehaved, they tore my house apart, their parents would drop them off early and pick them up late. So many problems with the family. So I actually gave them a rate increase. The mother wasnt happy about the increase and said she just doesnt have the money to pay for an increase. So I lost them.

Which .... left me down to two children from two different families.
Well I thought no big deal ... I will just replace that family. One of the parents I had left asked if Id keep her other child as well last week for Spring Break, I quoted her a price, we both agreed and I watched her two kids. Well she paid me only part of the money so I sent her a message and told her that when she dropped them off Friday morning she needed to bring the money with her. So she did. But then this week her child has been "sick" all week. At first I thought okay ... maybe he's sick. But then she is almost ignoring my messages asking should I expect him each day. I almost think she got mad because I required her to give me the money she owed me before Id let her drop them off at the end of last week. So this week I only have the one DCK scheduled so far. She told me that her child may come Friday but she would let me know. So here I have saved a spot for him all week and I am not really sure what she thinks she will be paying if she does decide to bring him one day today because she is a full time person.

So ... I have a feeling that me making her pay rubbed her the wrong way and she may be trying to arrange other childcare. If so ... that will leave me with one DCK and he is only PT. So thats a big difference from the income I was making.

I have been posting ads daily on CL and getting very little calls from it other than spam. I really am not sure where I should start trying to promote in order to fill those spots but I would really like to get those spots filled soon. Any suggestions???

Also .... what would you all do about the one lady not bringing her son all week and she will "let me know" if she decides to bring him Friday ...

[daycare]

I had a full house of children. All of my spots were full. But I had two children that were from the same family, well I lost them due to a situation with their mothers schooling falling through. So I no longer had them.

Which was fine because I had four other children. I ended up letting two of them go that were brother and sister because they misbehaved, they tore my house apart, their parents would drop them off early and pick them up late. So many problems with the family. So I actually gave them a rate increase. The mother wasnt happy about the increase and said she just doesnt have the money to pay for an increase. So I lost them.

Which .... left me down to two children from two different families.
Well I thought no big deal ... I will just replace that family. One of the parents I had left asked if Id keep her other child as well last week for Spring Break, I quoted her a price, we both agreed and I watched her two kids. Well she paid me only part of the money so I sent her a message and told her that when she dropped them off Friday morning she needed to bring the money with her. So she did. But then this week her child has been "sick" all week. At first I thought okay ... maybe he's sick. But then she is almost ignoring my messages asking should I expect him each day. I almost think she got mad because I required her to give me the money she owed me before Id let her drop them off at the end of last week. So this week I only have the one DCK scheduled so far. She told me that her child may come Friday but she would let me know. So here I have saved a spot for him all week and I am not really sure what she thinks she will be paying if she does decide to bring him one day today because she is a full time person.

So ... I have a feeling that me making her pay rubbed her the wrong way and she may be trying to arrange other childcare. If so ... that will leave me with one DCK and he is only PT. So thats a big difference from the income I was making.

I have been posting ads daily on CL and getting very little calls from it other than spam. I really am not sure where I should start trying to promote in order to fill those spots but I would really like to get those spots filled soon. Any suggestions???

Also .... what would you all do about the one lady not bringing her son all week and she will "let me know" if she decides to bring him Friday ...

is the kid sick?

[Mary Poppins]

Yard signs strategically placed outside of subdivisions has gotten me the best kids so far. I target the type of people (sorry if that sounds snooty ) by targeting housing tracts that I feel fit best with my overall program rather than just taking whoever calls from flyers or CL.

CL brought me lots of clients but 90% weren't worth the trouble.

I also exchange business cards with everyone, my current dcp's, now even my hairdresser, nail tech, massage therapist, dog groomer, etc. I keep their cards at my front entry.

I've been getting referrals from current dcps lately, which is nice, but none have panned out so far.

[rhondawarren]

is the kid sick?

He is scheduled to come Monday, Tuesday, Wed and Fri.
Well late Sunday night she texts and says he is running a fever. I said fine no problem just let me know. So Tue she says well he is getting better but she is still going to keep him out just incase. Well then I text Tue night to see if he would be here today and she at first didnt respond. So about an hour or two later I text again and said I really need to know if he is planning on being here tomorrow so I can plan my day. Well ... she finally texts back and says well ... I just put him on antibotics so Id like him to be on those atleast 24 hours before coming back. She says so ... he may come Friday but I wll let you know for sure (which is what she told me every single day is he may come tomorrow). So now I still dont know if he's coming Friday and probably wont until late Thursday sometime.

Im not sure if she thinks I am going to watch him for whatever she wishes to pay but my contract says she would need to pay for the whole week because Ive reserved that spot for him. So I dont know whats going on.

[daycare]

He is scheduled to come Monday, Tuesday, Wed and Fri.
Well late Sunday night she texts and says he is running a fever. I said fine no problem just let me know. So Tue she says well he is getting better but she is still going to keep him out just incase. Well then I text Tue night to see if he would be here today and she at first didnt respond. So about an hour or two later I text again and said I really need to know if he is planning on being here tomorrow so I can plan my day. Well ... she finally texts back and says well ... I just put him on antibotics so Id like him to be on those atleast 24 hours before coming back. She says so ... he may come Friday but I wll let you know for sure (which is what she told me every single day is he may come tomorrow). So now I still dont know if he's coming Friday and probably wont until late Thursday sometime.

Im not sure if she thinks I am going to watch him for whatever she wishes to pay but my contract says she would need to pay for the whole week because Ive reserved that spot for him. So I dont know whats going on.

just curious what your illness policy is?

I think this sounds normal to me. Every monday I send out a friendly email reminder that all payments are due on Friday. I also keep it posted by my sign log.

THis way, if a parent ever questions their payments, I have time to straighten it out.

[MizzCheryl]

When Numbers get low you can't help but worry. Sometimes we just worry too much. It will probably work out. Enjoy a few easy days and try to stay positive.
I always used to worry I would lose a kid if they are out a few days. Many times there is nothing to worry about.
In the late 90s early 2000s I got calls nealy everyday about daycare. We just don't get calls anymore. In the last few years I only get a call every few motns except summer and fall when schools starts back.
The economy is just slower for Daycare, at least around here it is.

[rhondawarren]

just curious what your illness policy is?

I think this sounds normal to me. Every monday I send out a friendly email reminder that all payments are due on Friday. I also keep it posted by my sign log.

THis way, if a parent ever questions their payments, I have time to straighten it out.

I have stated in my contract that if their child is out due to illness then they are to still pay their weekly payment because I have reserved a spot for them to be there for that week. I all week have been under the assumption that he will be here the very next day. Playing it by ear kind of thing.

My payments are due on Monday or the first morning that they come for care that week. She agreed the Sunday before she brought both of her children that she was bringing me enough to cover the payment for both children that Monday morning. But ... she only brought some of it and I didnt even get some of it until Tuesday. Which is not how its suppose to work She told me each day she was going to bring it tomorrow ... well you know the old saying tomorrow never comes I think that was true here too until I said ... You need to bring me the rest of this weeks money when you bring your kids. So she did.

[rhondawarren]

Yard signs strategically placed outside of subdivisions has gotten me the best kids so far. I target the type of people (sorry if that sounds snooty ) by targeting housing tracts that I feel fit best with my overall program rather than just taking whoever calls from flyers or CL.

CL brought me lots of clients but 90% weren't worth the trouble.

I also exchange business cards with everyone, my current dcp's, now even my hairdresser, nail tech, massage therapist, dog groomer, etc. I keep their cards at my front entry.

I've been getting referrals from current dcps lately, which is nice, but none have panned out so far.

I just created some really cute business cards that I will be handing out and leaving everywhere

Im beginning to wonder about the trouble and CL too. That seems to be all I have gotten from there.

[rhondawarren]

When Numbers get low you can't help but worry. Sometimes we just worry too much. It will probably work out. Enjoy a few easy days and try to stay positive.
I always used to worry I would lose a kid if they are out a few days. Many times there is nothing to worry about.
In the late 90s early 2000s I got calls nealy everyday about daycare. We just don't get calls anymore. In the last few years I only get a call every few motns except summer and fall when schools starts back.
The economy is just slower for Daycare, at least around here it is.

I may just be worrying to much. I should just keep promoting and something will come up I hope!

[daycare]

I have stated in my contract that if their child is out due to illness then they are to still pay their weekly payment because I have reserved a spot for them to be there for that week. I all week have been under the assumption that he will be here the very next day. Playing it by ear kind of thing.

My payments are due on Monday or the first morning that they come for care that week. She agreed the Sunday before she brought both of her children that she was bringing me enough to cover the payment for both children that Monday morning. But ... she only brought some of it and I didnt even get some of it until Tuesday. Which is not how its suppose to work She told me each day she was going to bring it tomorrow ... well you know the old saying tomorrow never comes I think that was true here too until I said ... You need to bring me the rest of this weeks money when you bring your kids. So she did.

ok I am not trying to sound mean, as I used to do the same thing you are doing now..

STOP letting her get away with this stuff without consequence. YOu are letting her do it to you. RULES are RULES. what is your late fee?
The first day that payment is due and the parent does not hand me payment, I would be giving them a late fee slip. Basically a little sheet of paper that says your payments was due today and was not paid. Therefore, a late fee of $40.00 plus an additional fee of $10.00 is due for each day that your payment continues to be late. Your child CANNOT attend DC on MOnday, if all fees are not paid in full.

Just like kids, if there is no consequence, they will keep doing it and it will become expected. Put your foot down.

[Mary Poppins]

I just created some really cute business cards that I will be handing out and leaving everywhere

Im beginning to wonder about the trouble and CL too. That seems to be all I have gotten from there.

Yep, I realized recently that the people I've had the worst time with told me they saw my ad on CL. My best families are from the subdivisions I targeted specifically.

I read somewhere, here maybe? that we should tape our business cards to the inside of books and donate them to dr. and dentist offices. I keep meaning to do this! We have LOTS of pediatricians and kid's dentists in my area and I'm sure they would let me leave them a few free books.

Oriental trading company has tons for cheap that come in a dozen or two at a time:

http://www.orientaltrading.com/api/search?Ntt=books

[My3cents]

Personally I wouldn't do business over texting. I would call her or talk to her face to face. She knows your policies, because during her interview you made them very clear. If she give you grief explain to her that you need to be dependable upon a steady income. Parents know the rules, they just like to push, break, bend, save, make a deal, wiggle out, wiggle in.........whatever... Do face to face, or phone and tell her. We are business operators, we pay taxes, we pay fee's, we have licenses to operate, we have to have so many hours of training to stay operating. No other business negotiates, or settles for less then they deserve. We as a community of providers should not either.

Sounds like your on the right track. Best-

[My3cents]

forgot to say to you......... her kid was sick but you were still there and open if her child was well. She is paying for a service and you were there to service her.
Don't feel guilty even when they try to make you feel that way-

[Mary Poppins]

ok I am not trying to sound mean, as I used to do the same thing you are doing now..

STOP letting her get away with this stuff without consequence. YOu are letting her do it to you. RULES are RULES. what is your late fee?
The first day that payment is due and the parent does not hand me payment, I would be giving them a late fee slip. Basically a little sheet of paper that says your payments was due today and was not paid. Therefore, a late fee of $40.00 plus an additional fee of $10.00 is due for each day that your payment continues to be late. Your child CANNOT attend DC on MOnday, if all fees are not paid in full.

Just like kids, if there is no consequence, they will keep doing it and it will become expected. Put your foot down.

happyface

I took this exact advice here awhile back so I can honestly say SHE IS SPOT ON!

I also require payment by the end of Friday, not drop off Monday. I found Monday mornings were too crazy and it was easier for dcps to forget to bring a check and it was awkward at the door. So payments due friday with an invoice sent out Monday and a reminder on Wed from me. And a steep late fee that I have only enforced a couple times. My late fee is now a three strikes you're out thing, too and gets more expensive with each time they are late.

Works like a charm!

happyface

Also: I now use the online payment thing from MMK and that helped cut down on late payments a lot too! People want an easy way to pay and it doesn't get easier than a couple mouse clicks.

[rhondawarren]

ok I am not trying to sound mean, as I used to do the same thing you are doing now..

STOP letting her get away with this stuff without consequence. YOu are letting her do it to you. RULES are RULES. what is your late fee?
The first day that payment is due and the parent does not hand me payment, I would be giving them a late fee slip. Basically a little sheet of paper that says your payments was due today and was not paid. Therefore, a late fee of $40.00 plus an additional fee of $10.00 is due for each day that your payment continues to be late. Your child CANNOT attend DC on MOnday, if all fees are not paid in full.

Just like kids, if there is no consequence, they will keep doing it and it will become expected. Put your foot down.

Yes I agree ... I should have done just that. It was like the nicer I was the more she is going to try. I am going to have to start following my own policies and rules without being so nice.