WWYD?? Child Taking Month Off...

[MarinaVanessa]

I have a good family (sweet little girl, pays on time, etc.) taking maternity leave soon and wants to take the time off without paying.

Now, I have terms in my contract about paying 1/3 rate for maternity leaves (or coming p/t is fine too) but the way they specifically stated they'd sign a new contract when she comes back means they know this - they just want their contract to end for the one when she goes out and then she will sign a new contract for BOTH kids when she comes back (only taking 6wk leave).

I know I should say you want your spot back you need to pay for it while out. I totally know thats what I should do. BUT getting kids is not easy here, high population of SAHM's, many daycares to choose from, etc. I feel I run a great program but there just isn't high demand around here. If I allow her the 6 weeks out she will sign a new contract for BOTH kids (and I'd be bumping the older one I have now to current rate which is more than what she pays now). We are only allowed 5 kids so this would be a huge deal to have to fill TWO spaces.

So, should I just tell her if she chooses to take the girl out w/o paying I CAN NOT guarantee the spots will be available in September and let her take that chance (even though I highly doubt I'd fill them and I'd be shooting myself in the foot if I said they were filled when they weren't)????? I know finances are an issue for them.

The other thing is, they are my latest pick up family... I've been lucky to contract some earlier pick ups since them and thought of not doing the later time anymore but basically if I have to (to get a new client) I would still keep it - it would just be nicer for my family if I finished the day earlier!

WWYD in this situation???

My concern is the same as the others. You don't know when and if this family will come back. They may come back but perhaps may decide to take additional time off from work so instead of waiting for 6 weeks for them to return you may find yourself waiting for 3 months etc., or they may just end up getting lucky and find free or low-cost childcare through a friend or family member or even through somewhere else. DCM may even decide to stay home permanently, you just don't ever know and whether they mean it or not when they say that they will come back their circumstances may change and they may change their minds later for one reason or another. I think you should prepare and do what is in your best interest.

DCM has already decided that she will be ending her current contract now and says she'll just reenter into a new contract later. I'd go ahead and let her do that but require her to give you appropriate notice in writing (not text or email) so if your contract says 2 weeks have her give you a 2 week notice. Then I'd allow them to make the choice of what they want to do and explain the circumstances. These seem like good options:

#1 She can end the contract now and use up her security deposit for her final child care tuition (if you require your clients to give you one) and have her sign a new contract now with her new start date in August. Require her to give you a new non-refundable 2 week deposit as well as a non-refundable holding fee of at least $100 a month/$25 a week (I personally charge per child). The holding fee will be for holding the spots only and will not be used as credit toward child care. Her spot is then guaranteed for both children when she returns in August as long as she starts on the date which she specifies on the new contract or earlier. If she decides not to come back by the new contract date she is still liable to pay the full fees or pay $25 a week more if she wants to extend her holding time. If she decides not to come back as all then she loses her deposit and of course the holding fees are yours to keep.

#2 She can end the contract now and use up her security deposit and she does not sign a new contract. Her spot is not guaranteed and you are free to attempt to fill any openings that you have. If August comes and you still have 2 openings then DCM signs a new contract, gives a two week deposit deposit for each child and starts care with you again. If you get interest in your last 2 openings (whether it's for one child or two) then you will contact DCM and give her "first option to refuse". If she decides not to sign a new contract and pay for it at that time then it will then be her choice to give up that 1 or 2 openings.

For either #1 or #2 I think that if this DCM pays a lower rate than other families or if you are in the practice of only raising your rates to new clients then in order for this DCM to keep her "savings" she cannot end the current contract. If she does then she will return at the rates that you charge to new clients.

I know that saying to this DCM that you will be advertising to fill her spot is scary but if it's as hard as you say it is to fill spots then where's the harm in trying? You can either let her know up front and attempt to fill your openings and if you don't then DCM comes back with 2 children and you are still in a good spot or you do get interest in your spots and DCM decides to sign up right away in order to not lose her spot or refuses and you fill her spots anyway. Either way she is ending her contract with you in order to not have to pay the maternity leave fee and so will then have no legal obligation to you to return, I think it would be a bad business move to not at least make the attempt to fill the spots.

If you have other openings besides the ones that DCM will need when she returns from her maternity leave then even better. For example, if DCB's contract is canceled and you then have 3 openings you can advertise that you have one opening available and interview for 1 spot. If you get multiple calls for the one spot you can still fill them one by one. If you fill one of your 3 openings you get that extra income coming in and DCM still gets to come back in August. If you fill 1 spot and have interest in 1 more spots you can call DCM and ask her if she wants the spot or not, if she says no then sign the new client and keep looking for someone to take the 3rd opening. Personally I think advertising that you have 2 openings is the better way to go because if you do fill 2 spots then DCM doesn't get to come back but financially you are still better off than before DCM left and will be at the same spot the you would have been in had DCM come back in August with her 2 kids. You can then advertise and say that you still have 1 spot available so it looks like you had 2 openings (when in fact you had 3 openings).

What I wouldn't do is wait around for DCM because you really don't know if their situation may change or not and them coming back is not guaranteed ... so why would you guarantee them not only 1 but 2 openings and risk them not coming back and not having either of the spots be filled in August KWIM?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I spoke too soon for myself. The same family that did this last year for 1 month, and then tried to pull without proper notice, is doing it again this year but for 2 months. Do not do this. It WILL become a habit that you will have to break by not accepting them back into care.

[AmyKidsCo]

If you're willing to give up the income I'd treat them like a new family - require a deposit, holding fee, whatever you normally would. If they don't want to pay a holding fee then there's no guarantee that you'll hold the spot.

I had a similar situation - Mom had a baby, planned to take 12 weeks off, and asked about bringing the older sibling PT and only paying PT. I said they had to pay FT to keep the spot and since I wasn't charging a holding fee for the baby it would even out. After 4 weeks of bringing the older one PT they started bringing the child FT. I figured it would be worth it since I'd have the baby for several years. Wrong - less than 9 mos after baby's start date they gave me notice.

Lesson learned: Don't hold spaces for free.

[kimsdaycare]

Sometimes parents need to be reminded exactly what it is that they are asking of you. This is basically telling you they would like to lay you off for six weeks. What if their employer put this request on them?

If they wanted a break for a few weeks great, but if they needed that money they would simply apply for work elsewhere to get that needed pay. You have every right to do the same and I can think of very few people that would not. We work for a reason, to pay our bills.

Them asking for a leave of absence is tranferring money from your wallet directly into theirs, essentially you are paying them for their maternity leave. You will see them out and about and doing things and resent each and every time the fact that you have likely had to cut back on extras and scrimp and save in order to make that happen for them. In my experience people that that ask this because they are pinched financially will want more permanent savings after having another child - cuts in hours or not returning to care at all. If they cannot cover six weeks for one, two is going to be a huge reality check for them. You run a huge HUGE risk of saving a spot that six weeks.

I would let them know they may reapply later, but I will have to fill the space(s) now if possible.

I don't take extended amounts of time off because I need the income and parents need to be able to count on me. It goes both ways.

[MyAngels]

I'd consider using the first refusal policy. That way, if someone else comes along ready to fill those spots she will have the option of paying at that time or she can forfeit her spot. It would be completely up to her at that point. Laurel posted her policy in another post about holding fees: (I re-worded it to match your situation)

"I'd be honored to resume care for your family in 6 weeks. If you leave a deposit of one week's fees, you will have 'first refusal' for my next opening. If I get another call from someone wanting care before then, you can choose to "enroll" right away at regular rates and the spot will be yours when your baby arrives. If you choose not to enroll in that case, your name will go to the top of my waiting list for the next opening and your deposit will be refunded in full. If you find care elsewhere, the deposit will be non-refundable."

This way the parent can reserve the spot well in advance but they only have to pay for it, if it means you are turning away another paying client. If the slot is empty anyway, the parent does not have to pay.

If she is uncomfortable with this, then just let her know you cannot guarantee that the spaces will be available at that time but if they are you would love to have her back. If she values you, she should be willing to pay some sort of holding fee or else she is gambling with finding care. Also, I would advise that you begin advertising immediately in the event she finds other care during her leave and decides not to come back at all. What would you do then? Remember, just as she is going to do what is best for her family you need to do what is best for yours.

I hope everything works out!

Since you're not sure you can fill the spots right away anyway, this is what I would do in your situation, but I'd get a two week deposit for both kids at the full, new rate. I would be trying like heck to go ahead and fill those spots right away as well.

[Starburst]

I would do what blackcat said, don't promise them the spot will stay availaible if they don't pay to keep it availble. Explain to them that they are paying to keep the spot available for their child but that you need the money to make sure you can afford to keep it available.

But if you don't charge them for those weeks you could try adding a new clause in your next contract with them where they would have to pay a registration fee as well as a deposit for both children (last week or two of care) if you don't already. If you did get a last week of care deposit tell them that they cannot get it back and it will count for paying for their child's absents for the rest of her absents. And I would tell them that they will still need to pay the deposit fee (and all registration/start up fees) for both the current child and the new baby at the time of the new contract.

Also if you "grandfathered" them in an old contract with old rules or tuition rates that are locked in, any new rules that didn't apply to them will now have to apply to them- New contract, new rules! This would also be a great time to revamp your contract if needed.

[Crazy8]

I would do what blackcat said, don't promise them the spot will stay availaible if they don't pay to keep it availble. Explain to them that they are paying to keep the spot available for their child but that you need the money to make sure you can afford to keep it available.

But if you don't charge them for those weeks you could try adding a new clause in your next contract with them where they would have to pay a registration fee as well as a deposit for both children (last week or two of care) if you don't already. If you did get a last week of care deposit tell them that they cannot get it back and it will count for paying for their child's absents for the rest of her absents. And I would tell them that they will still need to pay the deposit fee (and all registration/start up fees) for both the current child and the new baby at the time of the new contract.

Also if you "grandfathered" them in an old contract with old rules or tuition rates that are locked in, any new rules that didn't apply to them will now have to apply to them- New contract, new rules! This would also be a great time to revamp your contract if needed.

I actually did just revamp my contract and am giving it out in July to take effect Sept. 1st. I did already give them the new rates - those are effective July 1st.

[BABYLUVER21]

I have a good family (sweet little girl, pays on time, etc.) taking maternity leave soon and wants to take the time off without paying.

Now, I have terms in my contract about paying 1/3 rate for maternity leaves (or coming p/t is fine too) but the way they specifically stated they'd sign a new contract when she comes back means they know this - they just want their contract to end for the one when she goes out and then she will sign a new contract for BOTH kids when she comes back (only taking 6wk leave).

I know I should say you want your spot back you need to pay for it while out. I totally know thats what I should do. BUT getting kids is not easy here, high population of SAHM's, many daycares to choose from, etc. I feel I run a great program but there just isn't high demand around here. If I allow her the 6 weeks out she will sign a new contract for BOTH kids (and I'd be bumping the older one I have now to current rate which is more than what she pays now). We are only allowed 5 kids so this would be a huge deal to have to fill TWO spaces.

So, should I just tell her if she chooses to take the girl out w/o paying I CAN NOT guarantee the spots will be available in September and let her take that chance (even though I highly doubt I'd fill them and I'd be shooting myself in the foot if I said they were filled when they weren't)????? I know finances are an issue for them.

The other thing is, they are my latest pick up family... I've been lucky to contract some earlier pick ups since them and thought of not doing the later time anymore but basically if I have to (to get a new client) I would still keep it - it would just be nicer for my family if I finished the day earlier!

WWYD in this situation???

I felt the same way you did. And I did what Mom wanted. 6 weeks later, after I knew she was to go back to work, I heard nothing from her. She never came back and decided to stay home with the new baby! I was pissed because she sure assured me she'd be back, I was so great etc and then to be slapped in the face with not even being informed that a child I cared for for THREE years wasn't coming back?? It killed my pocketbook #1 and #2 I had a hard time filling spots too. Same problem, area with lots of choices of dc's, lots of unlicensed and lots of SAHM's.

I would tell her the truth. What I could have done differently if I did want to just allow her not to pay would be to pay as if the child was coming there the whole time to hold the spot, and then balance forward the money toward her care if she came back, with a clause that stated if she DID NOT come back, no refund would be given.

[Crazy8]

thanks. I can almost guarantee this one will go back to work, just knowing their situation right now - BUT I can't guarantee a grandma won't retire to watch the baby or that she'd find cheaper care, etc. so I'm going to have to bite the bullet and tell her I can not hold the current child's spot without payment and I can not hold the new baby's spot without the required paperwork, deposit, etc.

Honestly, a part of me doesn't want them to come back - not because they aren't a wonderful family - just because of that extra half hour they tack onto my day. They are my only 10 hour family, everyone else is 8-9.5 hours. I do love their little girl though.

[momofboys]

You have gotten some wonderful advice but I can honestly say anytime a client wanted me to hold a spot for free for a maternity leave things did not go well because I did not at the time have good policies in place. Family one secured me while still pregnant with their first child in early July. They were due to start care in early Oct/mid Oct. Mom had the baby later than expected & called me literally 1 week prior to her start date to announce that she was extending her maternity leave. I did not charge a holding fee - guess what DCM - this provider no longer had space for them after waiting 2 months + I was unable to wait an add'l 5 weeks!

A more recent family I was watching their 18 month old toddler & they were due earlier this year with #2. DCM had told me numerous times she was "only taking off 6 weeks" as she could not afford to take more time off & that their toddler would still come to me at least 2x a week - I was ok with this, I had a new infant starting over her leave time so thought it would be good TLC for me to work with this new little one with less distractions. Flash forward to the end of her maternity leave (or @ 4 weeks into it) when I sent a message to ask why toddler had not come - did they still need spots???:confused: Mom sent me a long message about how their finances did not work out how they expected & now DCD was going to take off all his vacation time (3-4 weeks) to save $$$ & spend time with the baby & grandma was going to care for them an add'l week or two so could they come back in 5 weeks or so?!?! I said NO, I will be unable to save the spots unless toddler comes at least 2-3 days a week over the extended leave. I said I would be trying to fill the spots immediately as I also had financial concerns & couldn't wait to earn money for 5 more weeks. Mom said they would get back to me & she did a week later asking for their spots & guess what? I filled them 2 days after our conversation! I was thrilled to say I didn't have spots for them!

[Crazy8]

You have gotten some wonderful advice but I can honestly say anytime a client wanted me to hold a spot for free for a maternity leave things did not go well because I did not at the time have good policies in place. Family one secured me while still pregnant with their first child in early July. They were due to start care in early Oct/mid Oct. Mom had the baby later than expected & called me literally 1 week prior to her start date to announce that she was extending her maternity leave. I did not charge a holding fee - guess what DCM - this provider no longer had space for them after waiting 2 months + I was unable to wait an add'l 5 weeks!

A more recent family I was watching their 18 month old toddler & they were due earlier this year with #2. DCM had told me numerous times she was "only taking off 6 weeks" as she could not afford to take more time off & that their toddler would still come to me at least 2x a week - I was ok with this, I had a new infant starting over her leave time so thought it would be good TLC for me to work with this new little one with less distractions. Flash forward to the end of her maternity leave (or @ 4 weeks into it) when I sent a message to ask why toddler had not come - did they still need spots???:confused: Mom sent me a long message about how their finances did not work out how they expected & now DCD was going to take off all his vacation time (3-4 weeks) to save $$$ & spend time with the baby & grandma was going to care for them an add'l week or two so could they come back in 5 weeks or so?!?! I said NO, I will be unable to save the spots unless toddler comes at least 2-3 days a week over the extended leave. I said I would be trying to fill the spots immediately as I also had financial concerns & couldn't wait to earn money for 5 more weeks. Mom said they would get back to me & she did a week later asking for their spots & guess what? I filled them 2 days after our conversation! I was thrilled to say I didn't have spots for them!

I am afraid this could end up happening here too. I am going to talk to her Friday morning.

I really hope I can fill the spots quickly... I've had others pulling more days off this summer and now I'm really going to be hurting in August if I don't get someone in here!!

[Unregistered]

thanks. I can almost guarantee this one will go back to work, just knowing their situation right now - BUT I can't guarantee a grandma won't retire to watch the baby or that she'd find cheaper care, etc. so I'm going to have to bite the bullet and tell her I can not hold the current child's spot without payment and I can not hold the new baby's spot without the required paperwork, deposit, etc.

Honestly, a part of me doesn't want them to come back - not because they aren't a wonderful family - just because of that extra half hour they tack onto my day. They are my only 10 hour family, everyone else is 8-9.5 hours. I do love their little girl though.

It always seems this way, but if their situation is that they "need" to work, it may be that once they see that they have to pay for 2 kids in dc, that "need" may go away and they no longer can afford to work. It happens all the time.

Honestly, you're doing the right thing NOT holding the spot w.o payment