Decisions, Decisions

[wahmof3]

Why is deciding which DCF to take is sometimes so hard?

I have 2 full time openings

DCF #1- 2 preschool age DCKs. I cared for them last school year. Love the DCKs and the DCM was super sweet. Just ended up being unreliable. DCF is on state assistance (which I need one DCK claimed every 6 months to keep license). She might not get approved for state assistance when she reapplies.

DCF #2- newborn private pay. Would be full time. Not school teacher- so would be the only DCK here in summer. I would rather not take an infant, I prefer ages 1 1/2- 4 years. DCM seems overly protective, could be one no matter what you do- you cannot please her OR could be the best DCM ever.

Why is it a struggle? I would love to email DCF #1 a letter to dig a little deeper as to her plans. Both DCKs are eligible for preschool. I will not take them if she only gets approved for part time hours and she has already told me she needs care Mon-Fri. I cannot charge the difference in pay if she does get approved.

I just need to decide now as DCF #2 needs care within the next 2 weeks and DCF#1 won't need care until end of August. I just don't want to sell myself short.

As far as the money side: I would make more $ taking DCF #2 and adding another full time preschool age DCK.

[Moppetland]

If it were my decision, I would take DCF #2 for the following reasons...

If the baby and family is a good fit, you will have this family longer because of the age.

She's private paying, so you won't have to worry about the problems that come from your state's subsidy program. Even though a private pay DCF can skip out on you in a heart beat (had it happen to me), it is still more money. Just make sure you ask for last week(s) fee as well so just in case she decides to skip without notice, you will at least already have collected from her.

But it sounds to me that DCF #1 isn't too sure about what she's going to do, and like you mentioned, you'll make less money with part-timers, and I know that in this state, part-time subsidy payments aren't a lot.

I hope I helped a little.

[renodeb]

I would have to agree with Moppetland. Private pay trumps subsidy. I also prefer to take them as babies, I know i will have them for longer for one. That ****s that you cant charge thm the diffrence. Where I live we can. In a case like this I would go with your insticts.
Debbie

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I agree! #2!

[wahmof3]

Thanks!! I have emailed DCF #2. Now I wait to hear back

[Unregistered]

Why is deciding which DCF to take is sometimes so hard?

I have 2 full time openings

DCF #1- 2 preschool age DCKs. I cared for them last school year. Love the DCKs and the DCM was super sweet. Just ended up being unreliable. DCF is on state assistance (which I need one DCK claimed every 6 months to keep license). She might not get approved for state assistance when she reapplies.

DCF #2- newborn private pay. Would be full time. Not school teacher- so would be the only DCK here in summer. I would rather not take an infant, I prefer ages 1 1/2- 4 years. DCM seems overly protective, could be one no matter what you do- you cannot please her OR could be the best DCM ever.

Why is it a struggle? I would love to email DCF #1 a letter to dig a little deeper as to her plans. Both DCKs are eligible for preschool. I will not take them if she only gets approved for part time hours and she has already told me she needs care Mon-Fri. I cannot charge the difference in pay if she does get approved.

I just need to decide now as DCF #2 needs care within the next 2 weeks and DCF#1 won't need care until end of August. I just don't want to sell myself short.

As far as the money side: I would make more $ taking DCF #2 and adding another full time preschool age DCK.

You already know that kid #2 is the way to go. You want to be talked into it, so here it is: You need to accept #2. #1 is unreliable, less money, and YOU are what matters here, not #1 or #1's mom.

"Overprotective" moms, in my experience, are usually also on top of payment, bringing supplies on time, sending kids dressed appropriately, etc.