Should I Inform Parents?

[DaisyMamma]

I've been under a lot of stress, as has my family. After a particularly hard week last week I have made the decision to basically not work while my kids are not at school. That means my subs will be here every afternoon and Tues/Thurs AM.
I use my subs quite often anyway, so the parents know them, but they will definitely notice that I'm not here as much, or even if I am here, there will be someone else caring for their children.
I don't think any parent will have a problem with it, but I have no idea how to approach the subject. Should I send a notice? Tell each parent? All I really need to say is that ive decided its in the best interest of my children to give them one on one time when they aren't at school. It just somehow feels too personal to even talk about.

[lolaland]

I've been under a lot of stress, as has my family. After a particularly hard week last week I have made the decision to basically not work while my kids are not at school. That means my subs will be here every afternoon and Tues/Thurs AM.
I use my subs quite often anyway, so the parents know them, but they will definitely notice that I'm not here as much, or even if I am here, there will be someone else caring for their children.
I don't think any parent will have a problem with it, but I have no idea how to approach the subject. Should I send a notice? Tell each parent? All I really need to say is that ive decided its in the best interest of my children to give them one on one time when they aren't at school. It just somehow feels too personal to even talk about.

In my state you have to inform the parents of your new schedule. Also we have very strict rules on how many hours per year/week/day you can leave your subs in charge without you in the daycare. I live in Massachusetts ...I think sending a notice will make it less personal and easier to avoid more questions ...

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

In my state, I would not have to inform the parents of a new schedule.

Definitely check with your licensing laws and if you can't find anything e-mail or call them. happyface

[kendallina]

I think you should absolutely inform the parents ahead of time. As a parent, I would be distrustful of a provider that made a change like that without informing me first.

ETA: As long as your parents like your subs, then they probably won't have a problem with this and will probably really respect that you're making the decision to make your children a priority.

[DaisyMamma]

It's allowed by licensing. I will be here 50% of the time the other subs are here, just not directly with the kids, but available if needed.
I usually have someone here 2 afternoons and 2 mornings already. So, it's not that big of a change.
I'm not concerned about how they will react, I'm concerned about how to approach the subject and what to say. I'm still very stressed out, so I don't really want to talk about it and feel it's none of their business, so it's hard to figure out what to say exactly - so that it's not saying too much.

[SilverSabre25]

"In order to best meet the needs of my family and my child care, I have decided that my subs, Miss Sara and Miss Katie, will be scheduled every afternoon from 2:30 until 6. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for understanding!"

If I were you I would still try to be around at pick up times though, at least to come greet the parents, chat about the day, etc. I sometimes have DH "sub" for me all day/afternoon but try to be here and around when the parents pick up. I just feel better about it.

[Mom&Provider]

I would definately tell parents your plan. You don't have to give specifics on why you are opting to allow your assistant to have more time, just that you are, but care will remain the same etc. etc.

[lolaland]

It's allowed by licensing. I will be here 50% of the time the other subs are here, just not directly with the kids, but available if needed.

I wish my state allowed this. What state are you?... so I can move... happyface But in my case I have to close to achieve the same result as you - "my own family first! "

[Country Kids]

As a warning that parents may not react how you think they will. A provider I know recently lost alot of clients and it was "We aren't paying the subs to watch the kids, we are paying you." This provider was having to do alot of work and it involved childcare but the parents just didn't like the thought of subs always being there.

[DaisyMamma]

If I were you I would still try to be around at pick up times though, at least to come greet the parents, chat about the day, etc. I sometimes have DH "sub" for me all day/afternoon but try to be here and around when the parents pick up. I just feel better about it.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

As a warning that parents may not react how you think they will. A provider I know recently lost alot of clients and it was "We aren't paying the subs to watch the kids, we are paying you." This provider was having to do alot of work and it involved childcare but the parents just didn't like the thought of subs always being there.

I hear you. But, I'm going to let them know - and if they don't like it, that's fine. Future clients will be informed during the interview process that I'm not a sole provider, but work with 1-2 others, which they can meet at a second interview.

[rmc20021]

In Michigan you have to be present 51% of the time, but I could never leave someone else in my home to care for children who I'm responsible for. The only time I have a sub is during nap time, so I schedule all my appointments in early afternoon. The kids may wake up before nap is over, but generally I am home before they are, or shortly afterwards.

With that being said, I will hopefully increase my capacity this summer and will have to have an assistant. The same thing will apply though. I will be here most all of the time, except for appointments I schedule during naps and I'd have to have a second person come in.

If I were you, I would just write out a note for the parents and keep the communication regarding they why's to a minimal.

My question is, how are you going to handle this situation during the summer when your own children are out of school?

[countrymom]

so what your saying is that your not going to be working when your own children are there. Maybe you should re evaluate your daycare situation and maybe close down for a year and then re open. I really don't think your going to fix your problem by hiring assistance.

[DaisyMamma]

In Michigan you have to be present 51% of the time, but I could never leave someone else in my home to care for children who I'm responsible for. The only time I have a sub is during nap time, so I schedule all my appointments in early afternoon. The kids may wake up before nap is over, but generally I am home before they are, or shortly afterwards.

With that being said, I will hopefully increase my capacity this summer and will have to have an assistant. The same thing will apply though. I will be here most all of the time, except for appointments I schedule during naps and I'd have to have a second person come in.

If I were you, I would just write out a note for the parents and keep the communication regarding they why's to a minimal.

My question is, how are you going to handle this situation during the summer when your own children are out of school?

Grandparents visit the entire summer.

so what your saying is that your not going to be working when your own children are there. Maybe you should re evaluate your daycare situation and maybe close down for a year and then re open. I really don't think your going to fix your problem by hiring assistance.

It could very well come to that, although it would be a huge financial burden on my family. First I will try this - to have a sub a few afternoons a week (4-5:30) and assistant the other days, as well as the two mornings with either a sub or assistant. I have two kids leaving in April. By the end of the school year I will change my hours, closing earlier. Likely this will cause two more to leave....And go from there.