What Would Your Response Be?

[tjones34]

I would like to post an email that was sent to my by a parent that I had an interview with about 2 weeks ago and tell me what you guys think and how you would respond to this.....

Hi Tonya,

Sorry for the delay in sending you these questions or concerns regarding your contract. We have to see one more provider early next week. My husband and I will be making our final decision on which childcare provider to watch our two sons most likely by the end of next week, around May 18.

First and foremost is it possible to get the names of everyone who resides in your home. We would like to do customary background checks for safety reasons.

As I mentioned to you before, I only work 25 hrs a week, Tuesday through Friday. As a part time employee I am not entitled to paid sick days, personal days, holidays etc. Therefore I am not in the financial position to pay for all the paid "off" days you specify in your contract.

As I explained before with my current provider, my mother or I watch watch the kids every other Monday that my mother is off. So if you choose to be our provider you'd watch the kids Monday through Friday one week, Tuesday through Friday the next week, then Monday through Friday, then Tuesday through Friday, etc. Therefore the pay would reflect that. You also mentioned that you could give a 15% sibling discount on our 6 yr old's rate.

I will be listing page#'s from this point on from your contract...

On pg 4... We'd be dropping the kids off about 7:45am in the morning to 6:30 pm in evening (as mentioned in our interview).

On pg 6... If a federal holiday falls on the every other Monday that my mom watches the kids, I don't expect to pay for that day.

On pg 7... I can't pay for 2 weeks vacation time and 5 personal days off, especially since I will have to take a day off (unpaid) or pay someone else to care for my children. My other concern that is that during the school year, I have to pay someone else to pick my older son up and he will not be there a full day. I don't think I should pay a full day's rate when my older son is attending school since he will only be at your childcare 3 hrs or less.

So aside from those points I agree with the majority of your contract. I hope we can come to some reasonable agreements regarding these details.

Thanking you in advance,

[Cradle2crayons]

My answer may be different than others, but I do contracted care not generalized care.

First on the Monday thing, I'd contract them just as they ask. Monday through Friday of one week, and Tuesday through Friday for the other week etc.

If they refuse to pay for your vacations and holidays, then I'd say that they aren't a good fit for your care if that is a policy.

I don't charge my parents for my vacations. I don't close on federal holidays. I'm only closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, thanksgiving day, and Good Friday. That's it. But if its your policy, then stick to it.

During the school year, if you are only doing after school for the oldest, then give them a rate for after school. I would never charge a full time rate for after school.

Maybe she'll see the after school rate and the contracted hours to give her Mondays as a compromise. If not, she could always seek care elsewhere??

[crazydaycarelady]

Honestly, I would respond that the spot is no longer open. I could go on for HOURS about all the red flags in that email!!

[snbauser]

IMHO my response would be:

"Dear xxx,

Thank you for your follow up email. Unfortunately, my contracts and policies are not negotiable as this is how I chose to run my business. If you are still interested in the spots based on my policies, please let me know. Otherwise I wish you luck in your search for childcare."

If she is trying to negotiate your policies before even signing, you are setting yourself up for even more "negotiations" after she signs.

[sharlan]

Thank you for your interest. I do not believe that we would be a good fit at this time.

[tjones34]

Yeah that's what I was thinking..we haven't even signed a contract and you are negotiating. I want to address each thing she pointed out but my friend says its not worth it. Thanks so much you guys!!! I will be using one of your responses to send back to her.

[NeedaVaca]

ummmm, she's basically rewriting your policies! NOPE I would not enroll this family. If can't accept your policies then she is not a good fit for your program, I would definitely pass!

[cheerfuldom]

I am confused about why she said she works 25 hours a week yet needs care 12 hours a day, 4 to 5 days a week. Why are her kids in care that much??

outside of that, it looks like she is looking for something you don't offer. She wants to pay only when they attend. If she is not wanting to pay for holidays and vacations and those extra Mondays, she definitely won't pay when her kids are sick or she comes up with another free sitter on random days. She wants you to hold two full time spots for her but will only pay on a part time basis.

[itlw8]

I am sorry but that won't work for me. I wish you the best in your search for childcare.

[BumbleBee]

IMHO my response would be:

"Dear xxx,

Thank you for your follow up email. Unfortunately, my contracts and policies are not negotiable as this is how I chose to run my business. If you are still interested in the spots based on my policies, please let me know. Otherwise I wish you luck in your search for childcare."

If she is trying to negotiate your policies before even signing, you are setting yourself up for even more "negotiations" after she signs.

This.

[bunnyslippers]

IMHO my response would be:

"Dear xxx,

Thank you for your follow up email. Unfortunately, my contracts and policies are not negotiable as this is how I chose to run my business. If you are still interested in the spots based on my policies, please let me know. Otherwise I wish you luck in your search for childcare."

If she is trying to negotiate your policies before even signing, you are setting yourself up for even more "negotiations" after she signs.

This definitely. I would thank your lucky stars you are turning her away ~ this lady would have wanted special all the time!!

[Meeko]

IMHO my response would be:

"Dear xxx,

Thank you for your follow up email. Unfortunately, my contracts and policies are not negotiable as this is how I chose to run my business. If you are still interested in the spots based on my policies, please let me know. Otherwise I wish you luck in your search for childcare."

If she is trying to negotiate your policies before even signing, you are setting yourself up for even more "negotiations" after she signs.

This!

I wonder if she would write to the local grocery store business owner and start doing the same thing.

"Your 9AM opening time doesn't work for me. So I will be by at 8:30AM to do my shopping. Also...the cost of bread there is not what I want to pay, so I will expect you to discount it for me. The meat department is not on the most convenient side of the store for me, as I like to shop left to right. I hope you will consider remodeling the store......"

[tjones34]

This!

I wonder if she would write to the local grocery store business owner and start doing the same thing.

"Your 9AM opening time doesn't work for me. So I will be by at 8:30AM to do my shopping. Also...the cost of bread there is not what I want to pay, so I will expect you to discount it for me. The meat department is not on the most convenient side of the store for me, as I like to shop left to right. I hope you will consider remodeling the store......"

::

[lolaland]

Honestly, I would respond that the spot is no longer open. I could go on for HOURS about all the red flags in that email!!

I had the same "vibe" as the crazydaycarelady when reading this e-mail. And without providing any explanation I would answer - "Sorry to inform you that the spot is no longer available (for you :::: )" Ok, I would not put the "for you" part of it

[Leigh]

I would like to post an email that was sent to my by a parent that I had an interview with about 2 weeks ago and tell me what you guys think and how you would respond to this.....

Hi Tonya,

Sorry for the delay in sending you these questions or concerns regarding your contract. We have to see one more provider early next week. My husband and I will be making our final decision on which childcare provider to watch our two sons most likely by the end of next week, around May 18.

First and foremost is it possible to get the names of everyone who resides in your home. We would like to do customary background checks for safety reasons.

As I mentioned to you before, I only work 25 hrs a week, Tuesday through Friday. As a part time employee I am not entitled to paid sick days, personal days, holidays etc. Therefore I am not in the financial position to pay for all the paid "off" days you specify in your contract.

As I explained before with my current provider, my mother or I watch watch the kids every other Monday that my mother is off. So if you choose to be our provider you'd watch the kids Monday through Friday one week, Tuesday through Friday the next week, then Monday through Friday, then Tuesday through Friday, etc. Therefore the pay would reflect that. You also mentioned that you could give a 15% sibling discount on our 6 yr old's rate.

I will be listing page#'s from this point on from your contract...

On pg 4... We'd be dropping the kids off about 7:45am in the morning to 6:30 pm in evening (as mentioned in our interview).

On pg 6... If a federal holiday falls on the every other Monday that my mom watches the kids, I don't expect to pay for that day.

On pg 7... I can't pay for 2 weeks vacation time and 5 personal days off, especially since I will have to take a day off (unpaid) or pay someone else to care for my children. My other concern that is that during the school year, I have to pay someone else to pick my older son up and he will not be there a full day. I don't think I should pay a full day's rate when my older son is attending school since he will only be at your childcare 3 hrs or less.

So aside from those points I agree with the majority of your contract. I hope we can come to some reasonable agreements regarding these details.

Thanking you in advance,

My ONLY response would be: I am sorry that we won't be able to have your children in our care. My contract is non-negotiable-it was crafted with great care to ensure that it best serves the needs of my business and the families who choose to have me provide care for them. If the terms of the contract don't work for you and your family, I certainly understand, and I wish you the best of luck in choosing a provider for your children.

Sincerely,
XXX