Changing With The Economy...How Would You Feel?

[daycare]

In my child care I only take 20 months to 5 years of age. I run a preschool and a pre kinder program.

In the fall I wiLl lose kids that will age out. So of course I've started to advertise already.

All of the calls I'm getting are for kids under 20 months. Average age is about 14 months. I'm worried I may need to lower my enrollment age, because the demand for my age group just isn't there right now?...

So my question is this...

Because I have been strict about the ages of enrollment with all of my families, some of them have had to enroll their younger child at a different daycare until able to come here, some are still waiting.

How do you think they will react if in the fall I started taking children in a younger age group? What would you do? What would you say?

[MamaBearCanada]

Could you offer the places to the oldest of those on your sibling waitlist?

[daycare]

Could you offer the places to the oldest of those on your sibling waitlist?

All siblings close to the age group will be enrolled first. I do have a few that just made the transistion within the last few months.

So all of that will be taken care of, it's just that these families that are with have all and to wait at some point due to the age restrictions....

[MamaBearCanada]

I see. I don't feel you have an obligation to say anything but if you think some might be upset just tell them the truth - due to a change in circumstances I have decided that at this time it is best for my business to lower the enrollment age.

[daycare]

Oh I know some will be upset. Here for a child under age 2 care cost about $275-$300 a week. Or more depending on where you go..

I guess I could just tell them I either take younger ages or I close..... I have go have my spots filled....

[sharlan]

I would be honest and tell the parents that you have to change with the economy.

My last 7 calls have been for ages 5 mos - 9 mos. I have 1 infant leaving in the next few weeks and I already have a waiting list for that space.

[daycare]

Baby boom!!!
I'm always more worried about it than I need to be.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would be honest as well, if someone asked. Otherwise, I would make an "excited" announcement stating that you are happy to now be enrolling children ages xx months-5 years of age!

[daycare]

My asst got me all worked up when I told him I was considering taking a 14 month old. He said dont you think some of the parents are going to be mad if you do that.

Some of the parents have been really pushing me to get their younger kid in for sometime and I just keep saying nope not yet.....

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

My asst got me all worked up when I told him I was considering taking a 14 month old. He said dont you think some of the parents are going to be mad if you do that.

Some of the parents have been really pushing me to get their younger kid in for sometime and I just keep saying nope not yet.....

It's strictly a business decision, nothing personal. If they approached you like it was some kind of "personal attack" that you didn't accept their child in I would reply with exactly that. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but at the time that age group didn't work well for my daycare. It's strictly a business decision and nothing personal! "

[LaLa1923]

Oh I know some will be upset. Here for a child under age 2 care cost about $275-$300 a week. Or more depending on where you go..

I guess I could just tell them I either take younger ages or I close..... I have go have my spots filled....

Why would they be upset? Aren't you offering the spots to the current children who did not meet your age criteria?

[daycare]

Why would they be upset? Aren't you offering the spots to the current children who did not meet your age criteria?

Yes but they have all had to wait months before being allowed to enroll and if I take this new kid she will be the youngest one here.

[spud912]

Ugh, I feel ya! I've had a lot of inquiries lately for ages 6 weeks to 12 months. I don't have any openings but will be starting that newborn in a month. I'm worried if it doesn't pan out, I will have 2 spots open (the older sibling and the newborn) and the only children to fill those spots will be a baby (which would be the very reason why I would have open spots...I would prefer no babies!).

[CrackerJacks]

Can't you wait just a bit longer to see if you will get anyone 2yo+. It's usually right about now (may) that parents who are trying to get their kids in preschool end up finding out if they got in or not. I find when this happens then the calls start coming mid May-June for people needing fall care. I'm in the same boat, I will loose 5 (leaving me with just 2) at the end of Aug. I only are for kids 18mo+. I will fill one spot with a 16mo old, but he will be my youngest and I will not take anyone younger than 18mo after him. I know how stressful it is wanting to fill spots you know are going to be available, but I bet of you hold out for just a bit longer it might work out

[daycare]

Yes I an wait longer I have all summer. Like I said i think I'm just worrying that I may need I change my age enrollment and parents won't be happy about it.

I have one lady who called me to tell me her daughter was born and then she calls back every few months to ask if she can enroll yet. Her child is barley 10 months so that's not going to happen any time soon.