Not again!!!

[williams2008]

Okay so everyone is aware of all the chaos that has been going on with me needing to term a infant, a dcm pulling her child out because I was going to charge her a late fee if she didn't pay by close of business on Friday. Well yesterday I had a dcf give me their 2 weeks notice because starting Monday they will be going back to their old shift of having to be at work at 6 and I don't open until 7. I used to open at 6 for this particular family before and majority of the time they didn't come until 8:30 or 9 or didn't come at all, so me opening up early for them again is out the question.

Every since I moved into the new location it has been one thing after another and I believe it has something to do with the move:confused:

[Blackcat31]

Okay so everyone is aware of all the chaos that has been going on with me needing to term a infant, a dcm pulling her child out because I was going to charge her a late fee if she didn't pay by close of business on Friday. Well yesterday I had a dcf give me their 2 weeks notice because starting Monday they will be going back to their old shift of having to be at work at 6 and I don't open until 7. I used to open at 6 for this particular family before and majority of the time they didn't come until 8:30 or 9 or didn't come at all, so me opening up early for them again is out the question.

Every since I moved into the new location it has been one thing after another and I believe it has something to do with the move:confused:

HUGS!!!! :hug:

In my honest opinion, I don't think it has ANYTHING to do with your move. At least not physically. I bet it has more to do with the fact you are now trying to wear your professional and business hats more verses the way you ran your business before.

From what I've read on here about you and your services, you seemed to be doing special a lot and it's not that I've gotten the impression that you don't want to but that you are getting burnt out by it, parents are taking advantage and you are not liking your job so much when it was that way.

Then you move to a new building so you CAN separate the personal aspect from the business aspect and have high hopes of being able to run in a more business like manner.....

Only problem is the parents are so used to the personal aspects and the little bits of "special" you were giving along with the "special" they were simply taking from you that they are now all having a hissy because you are making them follow your rules and policies and some of them are not liking it.....

.......am I on the right track???

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I feel the same way right now (although, I did not move). Maybe it's just the time of year we're in. :confused:

Have you advertised more? I'm about to send out a targeted marketing postcard through Vistaprint (to parents of 2-year-olds 1 mile around the area I live in).

[williams2008]

HUGS!!!! :hug:

In my honest opinion, I don't think it has ANYTHING to do with your move. At least not physically. I bet it has more to do with the fact you are now trying to wear your professional and business hats more verses the way you ran your business before.

From what I've read on here about you and your services, you seemed to be doing special a lot and it's not that I've gotten the impression that you don't want to but that you are getting burnt out by it, parents are taking advantage and you are not liking your job so much when it was that way.

Then you move to a new building so you CAN separate the personal aspect from the business aspect and have high hopes of being able to run in a more business like manner.....

Only problem is the parents are so used to the personal aspects and the little bits of "special" you were giving along with the "special" they were simply taking from you that they are now all having a hissy because you are making them follow your rules and policies and some of them are not liking it.....

.......am I on the right track???

I think that's it as well. When I ran my business from home, I did things to help out all of my parents that I am just not willing to do anymore.

[Patches]

Oh no! Sometimes it seems like when it rains, it pours. Although, I'm glad you're not going to open early for that family again
:hug:

[williams2008]

I feel the same way right now (although, I did not move). Maybe it's just the time of year we're in. :confused:

Have you advertised more? I'm about to send out a targeted marketing postcard through Vistaprint (to parents of 2-year-olds 1 mile around the area I live in).

Yes, I have been advertising since the 1st of March before I moved to the new location. I'm writing up an ad to be ran in our newspaper now. I think I may try the targeted marketing postcard. Thanks for the idea!

[williams2008]

Oh no! Sometimes it seems like when it rains, it pours. Although, I'm glad you're not going to open early for that family again
:hug:

Me too and I'm sure they was waiting for me to suggest that I would!

[jenn]

I agree-when it rains it pours. I have times that I am full and still have people calling looking for care. Other times, several will leave at once and I can't find replacements for anything. Crazy!

I hope you can quickly find some great fitting kids/families to add to your program!

[Blackcat31]

I think that's it as well. When I ran my business from home, I did things to help out all of my parents that I am just not willing to do anymore.

Ok..well then (and please don't be discouraged) I think it IS going to get worse before it gets better.

The parents you currently have are used to "special" and all the little extra's you did...now you aren't willing to do those things anymore (which is PERFECTLY a-ok) and you are going to deal with a bit more backlash and maybe even a few more families that leave your care as you go through this.

One thing I can promise you though is once you do get all your families on the same page and ALL of them understand that you are business first and personal second, then and only then will you see the advantages and perks of your move.

I think you need to begin aggressively advertising and building a wait list or pool of interested clients.

I think you should have an open house and spread the word about your program.

Once you have lots of interested people you can be VERY picky and choosy about which families you enroll and which you pass on.

As for your current families, maybe it's time to write them all a letter an let them know about the "new" you and the new business approach you will be taking and that ALL rules and policies will be enforced as of now.

Yes, you will probably get a little or a lot of balking and protesting but it really is no different than trying to get a child to nap. Consistency and routine are the keys. Maintain professionalism and business like attitude at all times. Parents are expecting you to have the empathy and pliability that you had before....so it IS going to take some time for them to adjust.

This is a great time to weed out the clients you truly want and those you don't or those you don't think will ever get on the same page and follow your rules.

Don't view this as something negative or bad...view it as a metamorphosis and a change that is LONBG over due for you. You CAN do this and you WILL be successful at it!!!

Don't let a few bad apples ruin it for you! You CAN own a separate child care business and make it successful...you just have to look forward, keep moving along and don't let any one (parents etc) drag you down.

Remember you aren't here just to work for them...you are here because YOU want to be a strong successful business owner!!

You can do this!! happyface happyface

[williams2008]

Thanks for the encouragement!! Do you think I need to hand them out another copy of my policies along with the letter or just write a letter saying that all rules and policies will be enforced as of now so in your free time please read over your parent handbook.

[Blackcat31]

Thanks for the encouragement!! Do you think I need to hand them out another copy of my policies along with the letter or just write a letter saying that all rules and policies will be enforced as of now so in your free time please read over your parent handbook.

What I would personally do is write up a letter telling parents about why you moved and how your goal is to be more business like and be viewed in a much more professional manner.

Let them know that while you will still strive to form a close personal relationship with them and their child, you will be approaching the business side of things a bit differently than you have in the past.

In order to support that process you are asking that they please adhere to your policies (in which they agreed to when signing on with you) so that your relationships with them both personally and professionally can stay positive and fulfilling.

Open the doors to communication by inviting them to set up a time to talk either face to face or on the phone about any concerns or questions they have about the changes. DOESN'T mean you are going to change anything for them or waive fees or anything but it does let them know that you are open for communication if they need further clarification of your handbook.

Just for good measure, I would definitely include another copy of you hand book and ask them to re-read it so that you don't have to be the bad guy and enforce the rules.

There is a fine line between being ALL business and not allowing your clients to walk on you or take advantage of your kindness and between being a personable person who families can connect with and feel comfortable leaving their child with you.

As always, if you have other questions you are welcome to keep asking, PM me or I can PM you my e-mail address or phone number and I'd be happy to help you as you go through this process.

[daycarediva]

I feel the same way right now (although, I did not move). Maybe it's just the time of year we're in. :confused:

Have you advertised more? I'm about to send out a targeted marketing postcard through Vistaprint (to parents of 2-year-olds 1 mile around the area I live in).

ECS- do share how this works! I would like to replace two kids before summer, ideally. I have a new family starting and need to weed out trouble makers.

[williams2008]

What I would personally do is write up a letter telling parents about why you moved and how your goal is to be more business like and be viewed in a much more professional manner.

Let them know that while you will still strive to form a close personal relationship with them and their child, you will be approaching the business side of things a bit differently than you have in the past.

In order to support that process you are asking that they please adhere to your policies (in which they agreed to when signing on with you) so that your relationships with them both personally and professionally can stay positive and fulfilling.

Open the doors to communication by inviting them to set up a time to talk either face to face or on the phone about any concerns or questions they have about the changes. DOESN'T mean you are going to change anything for them or waive fees or anything but it does let them know that you are open for communication if they need further clarification of your handbook.

Just for good measure, I would definitely include another copy of you hand book and ask them to re-read it so that you don't have to be the bad guy and enforce the rules.

There is a fine line between being ALL business and not allowing your clients to walk on you or take advantage of your kindness and between being a personable person who families can connect with and feel comfortable leaving their child with you.

As always, if you have other questions you are welcome to keep asking, PM me or I can PM you my e-mail address or phone number and I'd be happy to help you as you go through this process.

Okay I gotcha!! Thanks for your help!!

[momofboys]

I feel the same way right now (although, I did not move). Maybe it's just the time of year we're in. :confused:

Have you advertised more? I'm about to send out a targeted marketing postcard through Vistaprint (to parents of 2-year-olds 1 mile around the area I live in).

I am sorry you are going through this to the original poster!

To entropycontrolspecialist: that is such a cool idea! Is it easy to figure out? How does vista know who has 2*year-olds?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

ECS- do share how this works! I would like to replace two kids before summer, ideally. I have a new family starting and need to weed out trouble makers.

You're going to make a custom mailing list.

http://www.vistaprint.com/mailing-lists.aspx?txi=16571&xnid=TopNav_Mailing+Lists_Business+Services_All+Products&xnav=TopNav

1. "Residential Customers"
2. Choose "Closest to this address" or "Zip Codes" or "Counties" (I choose closest to this address, and always choose 1 mile or 5 miles)
3. "Custom Options" > Presence of Children "Children Present" AND select "Children Age Ranges" with the ages you want it being sent to