On the Hunt...

[wdmmom]

for a new staff assistant and a new DCK!

My staff assistant gave me notice on Thursday that she was re-enrolling in college and is moving. (No big deal, she hasn't been here that long and from what I've seen of her work ethic, it was better she quit anyway.)

And, today I got notice that a DCG I watch part time did not get afternoon preschool in the fall so she'll be leaving too!

Here is my dilemma. I told myself that when this girl left, I would stop doing any sort of part time care. Right now, she comes mornings M-F and I have another boy that comes afternoons only. It works perfectly.

While I know the child that comes afternoons needs care, I think the parents are trying to get it for as cheap as possible.

Do I

A.) Try to find another part time child for morning shift only?

B.) Tell the afternoon family that they have the option to pay for a full time spot and use the extra 2-3 hours per day.

C.) Cancel services with the afternoon family and seek 1 full timer to take the spot?

[SilverSabre25]

I would go with option B, then C if B doesn't work out. I got tired of doing PT care too. It's just too hard on the group as a whole.

[Meyou]

I would go with option B, then C if B doesn't work out. I got tired of doing PT care too. It's just too hard on the group as a whole.

Ditto.

[MrsB]

I'm with the opinion so far, you offer it to current family first.

The same thing is going to happen to me soon. 2 of my part time boys (M-Th 230pm-530pm) will be moving out of the area. I have 2 part time girls that come T-F 745am - 11:30am. I WILL NOT offer the 2 part time girls full time spots. They are way too much to handle full time. Not that they are ever bad, but way too dramatic for my taste, they always need constant entertainment, they are bossy, they cry for mommy for 5 minutes every time you tell them no and they are horrible nappers (for the couple times I have watched them later than 11:30)

So I too am struggling, do I try and fill the afternoon spot or do I term and get full time?

Keep in mind the added kicker is that these 2 "high maintenance" girls I knew what I was getting into, they came from another provider I know because she stopped providing part time care. So my rate for them is really high. I get $15 less per week from them for part time than I would if they were full time.

It is so difficult isn't it?