Very Frustrated, What To Do

[daycare]

So a few of my DCF jumped on this wagon to enroll their children at this fancy private preschool-6th grade academy.

last week was their first week. I have not yet filled any spots, as I have been enjoying a lighter load of kids for summer. Plus I have kids ready to sign up for fall.

Well 2 out of the 3 have asked to come back. They said that their child hates it and that they didn't realize that I do almost exactly the same program as this school for about $1100 less a month. Yes thats right, not typo.

They said that they had to pay for the summer in full, but now they want to come back in the fall.

OK no problem. BUT I am not sure how to go about this. I am a little upset that they did this, but sometimes I do think that people need to realize what they had.

Here is what I told them:

I can do one of two things for you......

1. You can start over and get on the waiting list, currently there are 7 people ahead of you. YOu will have to wait until they all fill the spots and see if there is anything leftover.

2.Since you have been a client with me, I will allow for you to use the summer as an extended time off request, much like maternity leave. You will have to play 1/2 your normal monthly rate to hold your spot. This will guarantee a spot for your child come fall.

Both families asking to come back were part time and are requesting a full time spot come fall.

BOTH are not accepting the terms in which I listed above. BTW both of these families have been great and so have the kids.

I am a little upset that they feel that they can dictate any of my policies, but is there another way that I can offer this and it still be fair to everyone??

[Cradle2crayons]

So a few of my DCF jumped on this wagon to enroll their children at this fancy private preschool-6th grade academy.

last week was their first week. I have not yet filled any spots, as I have been enjoying a lighter load of kids for summer. Plus I have kids ready to sign up for fall.

Well 2 out of the 3 have asked to come back. They said that their child hates it and that they didn't realize that I do almost exactly the same program as this school for about $1100 less a month. Yes thats right, not typo.

They said that they had to pay for the summer in full, but now they want to come back in the fall.

OK no problem. BUT I am not sure how to go about this. I am a little upset that they did this, but sometimes I do think that people need to realize what they had.

Here is what I told them:

I can do one of two things for you......

1. You can start over and get on the waiting list, currently there are 7 people ahead of you. YOu will have to wait until they all fill the spots and see if there is anything leftover.

2.Since you have been a client with me, I will allow for you to use the summer as an extended time off request, much like maternity leave. You will have to play 1/2 your normal monthly rate to hold your spot. This will guarantee a spot for your child come fall.

Both families asking to come back were part time and are requesting a full time spot come fall.

BOTH are not accepting the terms in which I listed above. BTW both of these families have been great and so have the kids.

I am a little upset that they feel that they can dictate any of my policies, but is there another way that I can offer this and it still be fair to everyone??

You are ABSOLUTELY doing the right thing. If they were new families who called you up and wanted to start in the fall and not come is summer, wouldn't you charge them the holding fee??? They aren't current clients. So you treat them just like you would if they were new clients wanting to hold a spot.

I'd absolutely maintain my policies. 100%

[mamac]

So a few of my DCF jumped on this wagon to enroll their children at this fancy private preschool-6th grade academy.

last week was their first week. I have not yet filled any spots, as I have been enjoying a lighter load of kids for summer. Plus I have kids ready to sign up for fall.

Well 2 out of the 3 have asked to come back. They said that their child hates it and that they didn't realize that I do almost exactly the same program as this school for about $1100 less a month. Yes thats right, not typo.

They said that they had to pay for the summer in full, but now they want to come back in the fall.

OK no problem. BUT I am not sure how to go about this. I am a little upset that they did this, but sometimes I do think that people need to realize what they had.

Here is what I told them:

I can do one of two things for you......

1. You can start over and get on the waiting list, currently there are 7 people ahead of you. YOu will have to wait until they all fill the spots and see if there is anything leftover.

2.Since you have been a client with me, I will allow for you to use the summer as an extended time off request, much like maternity leave. You will have to play 1/2 your normal monthly rate to hold your spot. This will guarantee a spot for your child come fall.

Both families asking to come back were part time and are requesting a full time spot come fall.

BOTH are not accepting the terms in which I listed above. BTW both of these families have been great and so have the kids.

I am a little upset that they feel that they can dictate any of my policies, but is there another way that I can offer this and it still be fair to everyone??

Personally, I think what you offered was more than fair. I would have been tempted to tell them their rates were going up if they came back too, especially after knowing how much they were willing to pay for the fancy school which they thought had more to offer than you could.

[daycare]

You are ABSOLUTELY doing the right thing. If they were new families who called you up and wanted to start in the fall and not come is summer, wouldn't you charge them the holding fee??? They aren't current clients. So you treat them just like you would if they were new clients wanting to hold a spot.

I'd absolutely maintain my policies. 100%

well here is the thing. If they were to pay a normal holding fee, then it would only be about $200 a month fee vs 1/2 their normal monthly rate. BUT they would not get to have this option of paying that fee until I have completely exhausted my entire wait list and I had a spot to offer them.

I just thought about this. What if I asked them to pay for the entire month of August now and then that would hold their spot and it would be applied for that month should they return. If they don't return, then I keep it????

Fair???

[daycare]

Personally, I think what you offered was more than fair. I would have been tempted to tell them their rates were going up if they came back too, especially after knowing how much they were willing to pay for the fancy school which they thought had more to offer than you could.

yes my thought exactly AND the kicker is that they are not open as late as I am. One parent pushed me 2 years ago to stay open later by 30 minutes because they could not EVER get to daycare before 6pm. So that kind of made me mad that all of a sudden they could change their schedule to support the new schools hours, but they could never do it for mine. BTW I have now dropped back to a 530 closing time and WILL NOT change it back to 6pm.

[Cradle2crayons]

well here is the thing. If they were to pay a normal holding fee, then it would only be about $200 a month fee vs 1/2 their normal monthly rate. BUT they would not get to have this option of paying that fee until I have completely exhausted my entire wait list and I had a spot to offer them.

I just thought about this. What if I asked them to pay for the entire month of August now and then that would hold their spot and it would be applied for that month should they return. If they don't return, then I keep it????

Fair???

It's up to you... But stand up for yourself.

[spud912]

So a few of my DCF jumped on this wagon to enroll their children at this fancy private preschool-6th grade academy.

last week was their first week. I have not yet filled any spots, as I have been enjoying a lighter load of kids for summer. Plus I have kids ready to sign up for fall.

Well 2 out of the 3 have asked to come back. They said that their child hates it and that they didn't realize that I do almost exactly the same program as this school for about $1100 less a month. Yes thats right, not typo.

They said that they had to pay for the summer in full, but now they want to come back in the fall.

OK no problem. BUT I am not sure how to go about this. I am a little upset that they did this, but sometimes I do think that people need to realize what they had.

Here is what I told them:

I can do one of two things for you......

1. You can start over and get on the waiting list, currently there are 7 people ahead of you. YOu will have to wait until they all fill the spots and see if there is anything leftover.

2.Since you have been a client with me, I will allow for you to use the summer as an extended time off request, much like maternity leave. You will have to play 1/2 your normal monthly rate to hold your spot. This will guarantee a spot for your child come fall.

Both families asking to come back were part time and are requesting a full time spot come fall.

BOTH are not accepting the terms in which I listed above. BTW both of these families have been great and so have the kids.

I am a little upset that they feel that they can dictate any of my policies, but is there another way that I can offer this and it still be fair to everyone??

I personally would not give any other options. You gave them 2 options and you have to do what's best for you, your business and your family. If they don't like your options, then they can stay where they are at or find something similar (although I doubt they will for the price ). If you give them other options then they will get the idea that if they put up enough fuss over something, you will cater to their needs. That opens up a whole can of worms IMO.

[MamaBearCanada]

I think that is more than fair. What do they want you to do? Hold their spot without any income for you?! Grrrr.

Just wondering, if they take the second option will it be at 1/2 their previous PR rate or 1/2 their new FT rate? I feel it should be 1/2 the FT rate.


Dear DCM/DCD

You are right. I forgot that there is a 3rd option - don't accept choices 1 or 2 and find somewhere else. Let me know which option you decide by x date. As you know I have a long wait list and if you are not interested I can let the next clients know.

Ticked provider.

[Blackcat31]

This is just like lunch time.

You gave options. You did your job.

Now, they have the choice to accept your options or move along.

Seems simple enough to me.

This is also a good time to simply stand your ground and not allow them to drag you into negotiating anything.

Present your options and let them make the choices.

STOP stressing over this. It isn't YOUR problem.

It belongs to them.

If they do re-enroll via one of your options...great!

If not, then continue advertising/interviewing for new clients. Preferably ones who don't always have to argue everything.

[daycare]

This is just like lunch time.

You gave options. You did your job.

Now, they have the choice to accept your options or move along.

Seems simple enough to me.

This is also a good time to simply stand your ground and not allow them to drag you into negotiating anything.

Present your options and let them make the choices.

STOP stressing over this. It isn't YOUR problem.

It belongs to them.

If they do re-enroll via one of your options...great!

If not, then continue advertising/interviewing for new clients. Preferably ones who don't always have to argue everything.

I understand what you are saying about let it be their problem. I do agree. I guess the one thing is that up until now, these families have been my better families. Not too many issues with them at all. This would really be the first.

the other family that did not request to come back is the one that I would flat out say NO to, but these two families have been great. Until now that is.........

[Blackcat31]

I understand what you are saying about let it be their problem. I do agree. I guess the one thing is that up until now, these families have been my better families. Not too many issues with them at all. This would really be the first.

the other family that did not request to come back is the one that I would flat out say NO to, but these two families have been great. Until now that is.........

But like PP said, these are NOT current families of yours. They are past families.

Ones who tossed you and your program to the wayside the second they thought something better had come their way.....

Why in the world would you even consider changing, negotiating or discussing your policies with them? They certainly didn't take you or your finances into consideration when they left you for another preschool.

I know what you are doing.....you think that because they were semi-golden, you'd rather have them than deal with new clients but sometimes I think that concept will come back and bite you in the butt!

These are NEW families looking to enroll. Treat them as such.

[daycare]

But like PP said, these are NOT current families of yours. They are past families.

Ones who tossed you and your program to the wayside the second they thought something better had come their way.....

Why in the world would you even consider changing, negotiating or discussing your policies with them? They certainly didn't take you or your finances into consideration when they left you for another preschool.

I know what you are doing.....you think that because they were semi-golden, you'd rather have them than deal with new clients but sometimes I think that concept will come back and bite you in the butt!

These are NEW families looking to enroll. Treat them as such.

boy do you know me...yes I would rather re-contract families that I know have been good. I will do as you say, because so far you have been pretty dead on about 95% of the stuff that has happened to me.

I have gotten so much better at screening families and my last few enrollments have been gold....

thanks BC... I guess since I already talked to them about the options, I have to just tell them take those options or leave them.

My husband says karma is a B........

[Cradle2crayons]

But like PP said, these are NOT current families of yours. They are past families.

Ones who tossed you and your program to the wayside the second they thought something better had come their way.....

Why in the world would you even consider changing, negotiating or discussing your policies with them? They certainly didn't take you or your finances into consideration when they left you for another preschool.

I know what you are doing.....you think that because they were semi-golden, you'd rather have them than deal with new clients but sometimes I think that concept will come back and bite you in the butt!

These are NEW families looking to enroll. Treat them as such.

What she said

[Josiegirl]

I completely agree with the idea that these are now new families and treat them as such. Course maybe you might offer them a little break if you're allowed to gloat to their face? Sorry but it would be hard not to feel a little...what's the word? Vindicated?
And I do understand what you're saying because I'm picturing a couple of my best families making that choice of leaving my daycare and choosing another place because they think it'll be better. To me, that would mean, they weren't as loyal and wonderful as I thought they were. They are still looking out for numero uno(even though in this case they were mistaken) and you should look out for yourself too.

[daycare]

thanks ladies... I am going to email them now and tell them that they will have until Wednesday of next week to decide..

Since I already have option 1 and 2, I have to play it out. Once Wednesday comes they will be considered new clients.


I didn't really get my feelings hurt that they left. I know that I can't possibly offer everything a family desires. I would rather have them leave and look for it elsewhere than to come and ask me for special. Which these families did. I am a little upset that they all of a sudden could conform to the new hours, but whatever, I wont lose sleep over it.

I will let you know what happens.