making changes :)

[EAP]

So what changes have you made already this year and how have they helped (or not) with child care or your personal life??

I took some great advice and dropped a meal starting this week! Already doing less prep! I also termed the food program - it isn't worth all the paperwork. My new goal is only doing business during busiess hours - otherwise I will burn out and frankly I don't think these parents have a clue about how much work I do - and I don't think they care.

[Blackcat31]

So what changes have you made already this year and how have they helped (or not) with child care or your personal life??

I took some great advice and dropped a meal starting this week! Already doing less prep! I also termed the food program - it isn't worth all the paperwork. My new goal is only doing business during busiess hours - otherwise I will burn out and frankly I don't think these parents have a clue about how much work I do - and I don't think they care.

Yah for you!!!! Dropping a meal AND cutting out anything work related after work will be huge for you and you will definitely feel the difference in no time.

I made those same changes a while back and although I did feel guilty at first, I learned to stop doing that too and find that since I have some
"off" time, I am much less stressed and am much happier now too so it IS worth it.

[allsmiles]

i am also dropping the food plan..i will be emailing her today..

Its my 6 mnth anni, so i sent a letter to parents thanking them for their trusting us with their littles, but it also included an update of my polices that i had been very lenient about (late fees, late arrivals) and explained i would be enforcing them starting today.. i asked that they bring in a copy signed to show that they understood these changes..

i will let yall know how effective it is but i really have to stop trying to be mr nice guy and just treat everyone like a client patronizing my business..

[Kym2098]

I decided to close daycare on Fridays, I lose money but decided my sanity is much more important! I'm really happy to have a 3day weekend every week!happyface

[cheerfuldom]

I dropped two kids and will no longer be taking infants. very happy with the change!!

[rbmom]

At the 1st of the year I downsized to where I can run my daycare without an assistant. I had to let 7 kids go but my stress level has gone down soooo much!
I feel good coming to the daycare every morning and we have fun again!!

[MarinaVanessa]

I just self assessed my FCC with the FCC Environment Rating Scale and made a list of all of the things that I can change to improve my space.

I'm really excited to get some of those things done and being creative in getting them done inexpensively. I love being creative so I'm looking forward to making a lot of the things that I need.

I also started to really keep track of my record keeping every month instead of letting all of my receipts pile up until the end of the year.

I recently went through an issue with the subsidized child care program for a FT client that I had (I accepted subsidy) and I waited until this month to get paid for September, October, & November . When I got the check on Friday I realized that they shorted me a day in October and a whole week in November . Now I have to call back and find out why. After this issue I decided not to take subsidy anymore. I like getting paid weekly instead of having to wait a month later for my money much less 4 months later. Grr. I feel way better about it now that I don't have to worry about all that mess. Now I just hope that December's payment comes in next month and that January's payment comes in April with no problems.

[itlw8]

I will be better at keeping up with my recordkeeping.

I want to be able to open up my enrollement notebook and it looks nice and neat.

And I want to be able to know at the end of each month what I have made for the year AND all my expenses were recorded.

so far I am only 1 month behind. LOL

I have been going around and making a list of things I need to get done. ( well that I need dh to do.... LOL so far he has done most of the things I need.
I put a hook on the top of the art closet to keep dgs out. Grandma something is wrong with the door. HA grandpa fixed it to keep you out.

[LoraJenkins]

I am changing from a daily rate to a weekly rate...letters going out this Friday.

I am also putting a late fee into effect after 6:30pm of $5 every 15 minutes late. I am tired of DCPs stopping by Walmart, etc before picking up causing my families dinner to be put off.

Hopefully these 2 things will help things go a little smoother.

[nanglgrl]

What didn't I change might be an easier question for me to answer. LOL.
1. I started enforcing my policies.
2. I changed the hours I'm open from 7:30-5:30 to 7:30-3:30.
3. I no longer accept state pay.
4. Because I changed the things above my most difficult family left which was the plan.
5. I added 5 paid personal/sick days to new client's contracts and will phase them in with current clients.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I changed my hours back to what they were! 8:00am-5:00pm! happyface

I also have had absolutely no issues with stating things matter of factly to the parents. I have no energy to beat around the bush anymore!

Before Jan. came, I also sent out the holidays for 2013 and I'm closed 5 more days. PLUS, I will be closed 1 full week this year (unpaid, though) for maternity leave. So, lots more vacation time!

[williams2008]

I dropped a meal as well!
I am no longer accepting infants, not even for a drop-in!!

[Brooksie]

I dropped 2 of my part time infant families that were both giving me a lot of grief . I am REALLY looking forward to filling those spots with less drama and head aches! happyface

[MNMum]

I started a sign in/out log. I told the parents it was for accounting purposes/taxes. In reality, I hoped it would hold them more accountable for early arrivals/late pick-ups. It has worked like a charm. Apparently, if you have to write down that you are late, you aren't going to be late!