Feeling So Beat Up.....

[hgonzalez]

I am having such a rough go of it right now with my daycare business.

I am losing a couple of children to Kindergarten and need to fill at least three spots by September. I cannot seem to get any decent interviews. I have had 2 no shows in the last 2 weeks. One of them was yesterday, and I had called the DCM in the afternoon to confirm the time and make sure she had my address, and then she didn't show up. So there I sat.

As far as my existing families go, I have a newer family of two kids here that the Mom always seems upset by something. She never smiles. If I say anything about the kids behavior, she looks like she is going to have a breakdown. Yesterday, she sent me a text upset because her daughter said the word 'frickin' and said everyone at daycare says it. I told her I had not heard anyone hear say it, but will keep my ears open. I asked her if her daughter claims I said it and she said 'oh no...of course not'. The girl is 4.5 years old. I understand why the Mom had to say something, but she did it in an accusatory way. In addition, this Mom claims her kids have never been sick and have never had toileting accidents until they came to my daycare. I am really paranoid that they are unhappy here and are thinking of leaving.

Then my other fulltime family is losing their house and daycare is also up in the air for now. I think they would like to stay here, but it depends on how things get resolved for them. Another family of two that I might be losing.
That means I have ONE kid I can count on coming for Fall. I am a single parent and I can't live on that income.

I just feel beat up by daycare lately. I can't seem to get stable clients like I used to. So much turnover and it is taking its' toll on me.

[coolconfidentme]

I've had times like that, but I think as soon as I changed my outlook & attitude about it..., everything started to change favorably for me. Sound silly, but it really does work. Focus on solutions believe it is for the better. Sorta be the positivity you want to see in your world. I hope it helps, best of luck!!!

[DaisyMamma]

Yep. Keep your chin up.
Sounds like family 1 isn't really one you would want around anyway. But an idea for them is to point out some great things that happened each day to tell the mom.
There's not much you can do about the second family.
The beginning of the school year and end of the school year is when people often look for daycare. I'm sure you'll get plenty of calls! :hug:

[Josiegirl]

I'm on my own too. It's downright scary at times when you're looking ahead to a famine(this job is usually feast or famine right?).
Do you advertise or utilize local resources to put your name out there? Word of mouth has always been the best form of advertising for me but even then sometimes families just don't come through.
This next fall will see my daycare losing 3 more to kindy after losing 3 last fall to kindy. Such a change of dynamics and income. And at the moment I know I'll have 2 fulltimers. I'm supposed to be getting together with another potential family soon to fill a spot for the fall. I currently have a little girl who the parents may have a transportation issue so I have to be prepared to lose her. Daycare is an ever-changing profession.
I'm not sure if the STARS program is just a state thing but I earned my first 2 STARS(plus they pay a sum when you complete each level) and will most likely start on my 3rd STAR as summer dies down a bit. You get more status, more referrals, more money for state subsidized children. Might be something to look into?
My only other suggestions would be try to make yourself visible(bringing kids to story hour at the library, visit playgrounds, talk to people and spread the word that way, look for every feasible opportunity to 'advertise' your program) and also change your program up somehow, such as offering something that isn't offered elsewhere, and make sure you advertise that! Such as teaching sign language or Funshine Express or *something*.
Wishing you good luck!!

[Starburst]

What ages do you watch? Is there any way you could extend your age groups? Do you only do preschool or do you watch children under 5 years? Some kindergartens only do 1/2 days in the morning or afternoon so some parents may need before and/or after school care for K-6th (about age 11 or 12).

Also what are your times? Are you willing to extend or change your hours? Maybe you can even do only night shifts or weekend care- some people only need weekend care or only need night care (like doctors, professors, or waitresses) or look into requirements for 24/7 care if needed.

[Cradle2crayons]

What ages do you watch? Is there any way you could extend your age groups? Some kindergartens only do 1/2 days in the morning or afternoon so some parents may need before/after school care for K-6th (about age 11 or 12).

Also what are your times? Are you willing to extend or change your hours? Maybe you can even do only night shifts or weekend care- some people only need weekend care or only need night care (like doctors, professors, or waitresses) or look into requirements for 24/7 care if needed.

Yep not one of my parents in at least five years have had traditional shifts. If I offered only traditional shifts and days I'd be living under a bridge somewhere.

[Josiegirl]

I opened for Saturdays during the late fall for added income. It was horrible. I ended up taking 3 brothers who were SO NOT a good fit. When the 5 yo called me an f'n $itch, it was time to give them the boot. I don't need the money that bad to be stressed on weekends too. I'd work Saturdays again IF the family was right. The only other call I got for out of the ordinary hours was till 11 p.m. Maybe I'm picky but that wouldn't work for me either.

[Cradle2crayons]

I opened for Saturdays during the late fall for added income. It was horrible. I ended up taking 3 brothers who were SO NOT a good fit. When the 5 yo called me an f'n $itch, it was time to give them the boot. I don't need the money that bad to be stressed on weekends too. I'd work Saturdays again IF the family was right. The only other call I got for out of the ordinary hours was till 11 p.m. Maybe I'm picky but that wouldn't work for me either.

I don't mind the non traditional shifts at all because I'm NOT a morning person at all . But you are SO RIGHT, the kids have to be a perfect fit. If not, it will NOT work at all. The three sibling set I have right now fit great into our routine.

I had to term a long timer that fit awesome with our family.she even called my dad papaw. I cried. It wasn't about her though, it was her mom. Her mom kept showing up later and later and wanted to go out and get drunk on Saturday nights and leave her here until Sunday so shed be here every Friday at 100 pm until Sunday at noon. I'd have a day off during the week. But mom was snotty about wanting to pay the overnight charges. She started getting lazier and lazier expecting me to bathe her every night instead of her doing it in the mornings because she wanted to sleep late every day. I realized I couldn't enable that type of behavior any more and mom didn't agree. So I termed. And I cried. Because I really worry that the little girl is getting the same quality of care I gave her here. I know she isn't. It's been a few months and I still miss that little girl.