Bring Your Own Contract?! Seriously WTH!

[lflick]

OK long story short... I have one DCB currently... accepted into care 3 days a week.... found out this week his schedule will be changing as dad got a new job.... sounds like 1 day a week and 2 the next perhaps... anyways... DCP referred two of her "beasties" to me as their current provider is adding to her own family.... 2 children and 1 on the way... MANY discussions, an hour long phone call, and a meeting which was scheduled with one mom and ended up with them both... 2 hrs late on arrival for said meeting and an hour long meeting later .... they still haven't said one way or the other if they have decided. Anyways, both have reviewed my policies and contract.... one of them brought me her own version of said contract... stating they will have guaranteed in September.... will only pay for the days attended.... trying to pick apart every policy that states they pay whether in attendance or not..... um are you kidding me?! Both state they are reliable and what not and will need the spots... well to me it sounds like if they are in fact so great why are they so persistent upon the pay whether they are here or not?! Not to mention holding spots?!

WWYD?

[MyAngels]

I wouldn't take them. There was a time very early on I might've done it - for the money - but I would have been looking hard for a better replacement and then dropped them like a hot potato .

[nannyde]

I would tell them that their offer is actually a drop in offer and the daily rate for that is 40 percent higher per day. They must schedule within 48 hours for each day and should they not attend the prepaid day is nonrefundable. You also have the right to decline each drop in day offer.

[lflick]

OH and on top of everything else... they want to come by with the kids a few times this summer.... um... I really don't have time for this as I am not going to entertain them while doing my activities with others and my own children... nor am I cutting into family time... nor am I playing hostess.... maybe I am being unrealistic

[Lyss]

OK long story short... I have one DCB currently... accepted into care 3 days a week.... found out this week his schedule will be changing as dad got a new job.... sounds like 1 day a week and 2 the next perhaps... anyways... DCP referred two of her "beasties" to me as their current provider is adding to her own family.... 2 children and 1 on the way... MANY discussions, an hour long phone call, and a meeting which was scheduled with one mom and ended up with them both... 2 hrs late on arrival for said meeting and an hour long meeting later .... they still haven't said one way or the other if they have decided. Anyways, both have reviewed my policies and contract.... one of them brought me her own version of said contract... stating they will have guaranteed in September.... will only pay for the days attended.... trying to pick apart every policy that states they pay whether in attendance or not..... um are you kidding me?! Both state they are reliable and what not and will need the spots... well to me it sounds like if they are in fact so great why are they so persistent upon the pay whether they are here or not?! Not to mention holding spots?!

WWYD?

Are these the same parents that you posted about prior, that were picking apart your rates and contract?

All this is a giant red flag imo. I'd totally pass, if its this much of a headache now and they aren't even enrolled just imagine how it will be if they don't like something you're doing (and these type always find something) or they don't want to pay on time. No thanks.

I think the contract thing is disrespectful, its your business and you'll run it how you want too not how they want you too.

PS... I'm my experience the parents that stress how reliable they are in interviews usually turn out to not be so reliable (same thing with "oh DCK eats everything and is a great napper" or "he/she's such an easy baby, never cries" :

[Happy Hearts]

OH and on top of everything else... they want to come by with the kids a few times this summer.... um... I really don't have time for this as I am not going to entertain them while doing my activities with others and my own children... nor am I cutting into family time... nor am I playing hostess.... maybe I am being unrealistic

You mean they want to sit in your back yard with you and hang out while you are caring for their children? Why? Did you ask them why? Because I would really like to know why? That's crazy! Why don't they sit in their own back yard with their children if they have that much time on their hands?

That absolutely ridonkulous! Same as their demands! OMG

[e.j.]

...one of them brought me her own version of said contract... stating they will have guaranteed in September.... will only pay for the days attended.... trying to pick apart every policy that states they pay whether in attendance or not..... um are you kidding me?! Both state they are reliable and what not and will need the spots... well to me it sounds like if they are in fact so great why are they so persistent upon the pay whether they are here or not?! Not to mention holding spots?!

WWYD?

I would say, "I'm sorry. My policies are non-negotiable. Given the revisions you've made to my contract, it doesn't look as though we'd be a good fit for each other. Good luck in your search for child care."

[julie]

I would say, "I'm sorry. My policies are non-negotiable. Given the revisions you've made to my contract, it doesn't look as though we'd be a good fit for each other. Good luck in your search for child care."

Yup, this. They need a big NO. Otherwise, I see ugly terminations in your future.

[MarinaVanessa]

I would say, "I'm sorry. My policies are non-negotiable. Given the revisions you've made to my contract, it doesn't look as though we'd be a good fit for each other. Good luck in your search for child care."

Yes this.

[Play Care]

I would say, "I'm sorry. My policies are non-negotiable. Given the revisions you've made to my contract, it doesn't look as though we'd be a good fit for each other. Good luck in your search for child care."

If you take these people on, it will only get worse. And you will have no one to blame but yourself because these are HUGE, red flags.

I also agree with the pp, anytime anyone says they will be the "BEST" clients, I know that I will have trouble!

[bunnyslippers]

I would definitely not take these two on. I have a couple of "besties" in my daycare right now, and there have been times that they tagteam me on policies, fees, etc. Since these two are already starting their demands, it will only get worse as they get more comfortable. Move on!

[krosey5]

I would say, "I'm sorry. My policies are non-negotiable. Given the revisions you've made to my contract, it doesn't look as though we'd be a good fit for each other. Good luck in your search for child care."

This.

If they are already trying to negotiate/revise your rules just think what they will do once they are there. Save yourself the headache now & do not accept them.

[Evansmom]

Agree with everyone else here. Don't take them on!

They are already showing you that they don't respect that this is YOUR business and that they think you are a babysitter or nanny at their disposal. You're lucky they are showing their true colors right at the beginning, that makes it easy to say no now and save yourself the problems later.

[Blackcat31]

NEXT!!!

My time, sanity and self worth are far more valuable than keeping clients that treat me like dirt!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Agree with everyone else here. Don't take them on!

They are already showing you that they don't respect that this is YOUR business and that they think you are a babysitter or nanny at their disposal. You're lucky they are showing their true colors right at the beginning, that makes it easy to say no now and save yourself the problems later.

Exactly!