Do You Ever Want To Just Clean House???

[DaisyMamma]

The problem is I have had several discussions, sent notes, enforced fees...but it just doesn't matter. They come late, early, without shoes, without coats, without diapers, doped up on tylenol when they are sick, bringing in food, bringing in toys, not paying on time, mad when I take time off... I just don't get it. (Yes, many of these things have warranted termination, but deep down I know they are good families, and I adore the kids, I am just so tired of being so disrespected) It's been a long time since I've had families like this

That's really hard. If I were you then I would do just as you are saying. First, get really strict, like entropy is saying. Send them away if they have no clothes, shoes, jackets or money! Charge convenience fees for not bringing diapers and wipes. Make all fees payable the next morning in cash - or turn them away. Turn them away for every broken policy. You will really weed them out. Either they will drop like flies, or shape up real quick. Either way - problem solved!

[nanglgrl]

Just like wife swap, we need a provider swap! :: ::

Wouldn't it be kinda cool to go be the provider at someone else's program for a day or two?

I would love it! It would be refreshing!

I'm in when can you be here? I have great policies, contracts, a wonderful space and I enjoy most of my families...that said I have NO backbone. I'm not even sure how I'm able to stand up it's so weak. It's getting stronger day by day though as families disregard policies they just signed 2 weeks ago. Can you come clean my house? If you can I will try not to mess your's up too much.

[blandino]

Totally understand...

I totally get what you are talking about. We have done this around 2 times in the history of our daycare, and it usually just winds up with us shifting the majority of the ages of kids. I.e going from mostly 3/4 year olds to mostly 2 yo & infants.

I have definitely been there with good families, but they are not respecting your policies like they did at the beginning. I definitely think it's a case of them getting too comfortable with their daycare, and that causes the slack in following policies. I also think once a family has been with you for a while they forget what a bad daycare is like, and how good they have it - and start to focus on the smaller things they are unhappy about.

When we haven't totally cleaned house, what we have done is sent out a letter addressing each policy that is not being followed, and reminding them what our contract says about it. And pass the letter out to every family.

[SilverSabre25]

I wasn't seeking it out, but it's gonna happen. Well, mostly. One of my two dcf's is leaving me in just over a month (just found out yesterday); I've had them for almost three years. So, I will be basically cleaning house as I have 3 open spaces to fill....