Gov't Drama Affecting My DC Family -- What Would You Do...

[Lucy]

Care to elaborate?

Sorry but its hard to not go into a political discussion when it is about this subject....so I vote to over ride and chat this one out.

Curious on your thoughts Michael

Let's start a new thread for discussion of the government shutdown. In fact, I'll start one now. Look for it entitled "YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN".

Thanks!!! happyface

[My3cents]

Good thoughts - thanks. Gosh, I just don't know what to do! I'm going to text Mom in the morning and set up a meeting. I hope I can come up with something coherent to say by then!!! :confused:

listen before responding but have an idea of what you want to do.

There problem can't become your problem, unless your rich and can afford to help these people out. I can't. I have bills to pay.

I would listen and see what the parents have to say.

I think my back up plan would be to care for the kids and then have them pay a higher rate to make up for your loss income once they do go back to work if you can afford to do that and not jeopardize your bills being paid on time, have them pay me what they can until back to work and keep track of what they owe you and then let them slowly pay it to you, knowing that if they stop care that past amount not paid is due along with any other monies owed to you. I would only do this to trusted clients that have been with me for a very long time and you know they are not going to screw you over- It would be in writing also and part of a new contract signed with you, esp if this last for weeks on end. I hope it works out for you- Best

[Blackcat31]

Could you set up a payment plan so that when they do get back to work, they can pay the missing tuition later?

[My3cents]

Here's my preliminary plan. I have 3 hours to think on it and get it typed up. I'm sure it needs tweeking. That's where YOU come in!!

Pay full amount for this week.
Pay half for next week.
Pay $25 holding fee for weeks beyond that. (Probably should set a maximum, but I really don't see this shutdown lasting for weeks and weeks on end. Do you??)

If they decide to quit, I still need two weeks notice. The charge for those 2 weeks would be whatever would have fit into the plan above. So it could be only $50. OR -- should the two week notice be charged at their regular full rate? I just don't know!!

I will offer a deferred payment plan. I'd have a paper where we'd keep track of the charges (per the above plan), and they'd have one month after starting back to work to get it paid off. If they end up giving notice, whatever has accrued on their "account" will be due in full one week after the two weeks ends. (Sorry it's so confusing!)

Are there any other contingencies I haven't thought of? What do you think of the plan? What would you do differently?

I've never needed your help more than than I do now! lovethis

your way ahead of me........ but I like your second option better, this way you still have the kids in routine and not upsetting their lives anymore then needed, your still getting your pay but just delayed. I would just ask them to pay as much as they can. I wouldn't let this go on and on forever if the shut down happens to go on for months, unless they were paying you. I wouldn't want it to get to a point where the parents would never be able to pay you back what they accrued. I would listen first.......anyhow best of luck, and sorry this effecting your business.

[GG~DAYCARE]

I will not charge my parent for all the days he is furloughed. When they return to work, if he is reimbursed for those days off than I will be reimbursed too. Not great but I am winding down with my day care....30 years. She is my last full timer. I'll suffer the loss. They have 3 kids to feed. I know most of you need every penny. I was there a few years ago too. This would have seriously impacted my bills. Good luck to everyone. You all have to do what's best for you and your family. Hope it's a short shutdown!

[EMC2]

Wont Last

I also don't think this will last very long. Possibly a week. In any case, I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but once it's over the government employees will start getting paid AND get retro-pay from the date of the shut down.

So if you can hold out a little, possibly charge a holding fee, you might not have to drop your DC family.

[TwinKristi]

Yeah I agree this is kinda being over worked here. I know you will have a hard time filling the spots if they leave, but you shouldn't sell yourself out. I would definitely see what they offer before you throw out this $25/wk stuff to hold their spot. That's nice of you but I think if they get back pay you should as well. And if they cancel care altogether (but not sure why, this isn't going last forever...) I would expect your full 2wks pay but agree on payments. If this is your last paycheck from them and you won't be able to fill these spots easily, why take such a huge pay cut when they'll be paid eventually!

[Familycare71]

I didn't know they would get back pay!!! If that is the case I totally change my answer!!
Let us know what happened

[Lavender]

More than likely a backpay plan will be included when this is finally over, just like happened in the 90's. Personally, I would suggest you have them pay whatever portion they can now, and they pay the rest when they get their backpay.

[Lyss]

Any update? Just wondering how the conversation went with them and how things turned out

[Lucy]

It went very well. Just Mom came. Dad was doing an odd job for a family friend. They're already thinking ahead!

I let her start, and she pretty much indicated that she knew I needed to get paid, and that she didn't want this to trickle down and affect me too badly, but that without his income, they wouldn't have any extra funds. She said that her paycheck is equivalent to the mortgage, and not much more. She said that he makes about 3 times more than she does, so this would be a huge hit to them.

I then picked it up and said that I pretty much knew this would be the case, and took the liberty of coming up with a plan. I described what it would be, and she seemed grateful.

I did wimp out on pulling out the agreement I had typed up though! It just seemed too presumptous of me. I just said that I'd get this all typed up and get it to her. She said that was great, and that she could come by on her lunch hour if that worked for me. It ended up to be a good thing, because I tweaked and clarified some of the points once I got home, and printed out a new version of it.

I want to thank you all SOOOOO much for your help on this. I really think without this forum, I would've just caved and not received ANY payment for their non-attendance. You guys are awesome!!!!!!

Oh!! And I ended up asking for 2 weeks at full pay (deferred payments), the third week at half pay, and any weeks beyond that would be charged a $50 holding fee. And I made it clear that the girls could come any or all hours the first two weeks, half their normal hours the third week, and a combined total of 10 hours (total for both girls) for weeks beyond that.

I'm pretty much thinking that this shutdown won't go past next week (Oct 11).

[christine19720]

First, I did not have time to read all the replies but with the first round of Govt. furloughs every family in my care was affected. Including myself. So...... in the name of PR, if the families did not bring the kids I did not charge them. After all it was beyond their control, kept them happy and kept most of my customers here. I live in a military town and I'd go to say 75% of not more of the businesses here are supported by it one way or another. So, just I bit the bullet and did what I thought was right. Fortunately for me, our family planned on this happening and while it wasn't fun, we came out unscathed. Many other families were not as fortunate. At least they had jobs to return to and I thoroughly enjoyed every Friday off this last summer


My 2 cents
oh wait.
1 cent

Christine

[granny04]

Shutdown in DC

I agree with spinnymarie--and this has been my line of reasoning since I opened 11 years ago.
If there is not a line of families waiting for that spot you lose NOTHING by appearing to give them a break by suspending payments until this is over.
They will be back and think well of you. If you demand money from them (that they clearly won't have) they may come back but there will always be a bad feeling.
I tell my parents we are all in this together and I am willing to work with them when issues arise. Which is true--BUT-- there are not people lining up to get into my day care--there are almost as many day care providers in my area as children!! I always manage to keep a good workable number in care and have always been willing to work with a parent when a crisis arose--not all parental problems being caused by the government

I am wondering how this new crisis is going to affect my day care--so far it hasn't--but I don't have parents directly affected. If the problem goes on I'm sure it will trickle down and I will have issues to deal with.

[MyAngels]

It went very well. Just Mom came. Dad was doing an odd job for a family friend. They're already thinking ahead!

I let her start, and she pretty much indicated that she knew I needed to get paid, and that she didn't want this to trickle down and affect me too badly, but that without his income, they wouldn't have any extra funds. She said that her paycheck is equivalent to the mortgage, and not much more. She said that he makes about 3 times more than she does, so this would be a huge hit to them.

I then picked it up and said that I pretty much knew this would be the case, and took the liberty of coming up with a plan. I described what it would be, and she seemed grateful.

I did wimp out on pulling out the agreement I had typed up though! It just seemed too presumptous of me. I just said that I'd get this all typed up and get it to her. She said that was great, and that she could come by on her lunch hour if that worked for me. It ended up to be a good thing, because I tweaked and clarified some of the points once I got home, and printed out a new version of it.

I want to thank you all SOOOOO much for your help on this. I really think without this forum, I would've just caved and not received ANY payment for their non-attendance. You guys are awesome!!!!!!

Oh!! And I ended up asking for 2 weeks at full pay (deferred payments), the third week at half pay, and any weeks beyond that would be charged a $50 holding fee. And I made it clear that the girls could come any or all hours the first two weeks, half their normal hours the third week, and a combined total of 10 hours (total for both girls) for weeks beyond that.

I'm pretty much thinking that this shutdown won't go past next week (Oct 11).

I'm so glad it worked out well! happyface

[Familycare71]

It went very well. Just Mom came. Dad was doing an odd job for a family friend. They're already thinking ahead!

I let her start, and she pretty much indicated that she knew I needed to get paid, and that she didn't want this to trickle down and affect me too badly, but that without his income, they wouldn't have any extra funds. She said that her paycheck is equivalent to the mortgage, and not much more. She said that he makes about 3 times more than she does, so this would be a huge hit to them.

I then picked it up and said that I pretty much knew this would be the case, and took the liberty of coming up with a plan. I described what it would be, and she seemed grateful.

I did wimp out on pulling out the agreement I had typed up though! It just seemed too presumptous of me. I just said that I'd get this all typed up and get it to her. She said that was great, and that she could come by on her lunch hour if that worked for me. It ended up to be a good thing, because I tweaked and clarified some of the points once I got home, and printed out a new version of it.

I want to thank you all SOOOOO much for your help on this. I really think without this forum, I would've just caved and not received ANY payment for their non-attendance. You guys are awesome!!!!!!

Oh!! And I ended up asking for 2 weeks at full pay (deferred payments), the third week at half pay, and any weeks beyond that would be charged a $50 holding fee. And I made it clear that the girls could come any or all hours the first two weeks, half their normal hours the third week, and a combined total of 10 hours (total for both girls) for weeks beyond that.

I'm pretty much thinking that this shutdown won't go past next week (Oct 11).

Awesome!! happyface. So glad of went well- sounds like a great family who really appreciate the help!