I Gave A Parent Notice And Now They Are Badmouthing My Daycare

[daycare]

you sound like you have a really big heart.....it is YOUR Choice how you choose to run your daycare. I love that you are thinking about others and their situation and if you can help them and are ok with it, then that is awesome.

I do think that it is unfair for others to sour your business because YOU don't DO things THEIR way. I love what you are doing. LIke an angle with wings...

I honestly can say that I would not be able to take on a parent that worked minimum wage, I can't afford to take them on. I redirect those people to R&R to see if they can get help with assistance, which I also don't take...

So thank you for having a kind heart

in 25 years, if those are the only violations you have, you are sitting pretty...

[LaLa1923]

I am surprised. This is suppose to be a support/advice group for providers! Instead it has turned into a ambush of 1 provider to see what she has or hasn't done wrong.

As for prices, just because she has lowered the rate doesn't mean that she is a bad provider. Needing money. Yes. Bad provider. No.

OP- my only advice/ suggestion is to change your name. If you can't do that then change your ad. Just as something very simple... Like registered provider has X amount of openings for this age group at affordable rates or something like that. Good luck Hun!

Yes, the going rate for infants here is around $180. However, we are in MIDDLE RIVER!!! Many people here are single mothers that work at McDonald's or Walmart! Their entire paycheck is about $280/week! How do you expect them to pay almost $200/week for daycare?? Don't be mad at me because I can offer prices that a typical retail employee can afford.

I'm not sure what you read, no one said she was bad. In fact I said it's most likely due to her rates. Not that she was bad at all. OP does what works for her. All I'm saying is if we all work together we would have more kids.


OP- I understand! When I worked in your area I worked to pay for dc and my car payment.

[daycare]

huh.......the only time I read the bad anywhere was in your post.....

No one here is trying to be hurtful, please don't make it seem that way...

thanks

[permanentvacation]

Lala,

Just out of curiosity, did you ever call me and speak with me about what I offer and ask me about my rates? Did you even give me a chance and schedule an interview to come over and see for yourself what my daycare is all about?

[craftymissbeth]

Yes, the going rate for infants here is around $180. However, we are in MIDDLE RIVER!!! Many people here are single mothers that work at McDonald's or Walmart! Their entire paycheck is about $280/week! How do you expect them to pay almost $200/week for daycare?? Don't be mad at me because I can offer prices that a typical retail employee can afford.

I don't think anyone is mad at you. You can charge whatever you want to. It's your business and you call the shots in regards to your rates. I will say that I doubt the issues with the other providers are solely because you charge less. What's it to them?

In your above example of a single mom barely making ends meet.. and how would she afford daycare? Child care subsidy.

[Unregistered]

Here's what you need to do immediately:

1.Remove the picture of the front of your house and I would take the toys out of your front yard.You stated that you don't live in the best of neighborhoods,I certainly wouldn't want my kids playing in the front yard.Clean up your yard.
2.You have posted on Craigslist 26 times in a month.That is beyond excessive and none of your rates match up.When you post a new posting,remove the old ones.It makes you look desperate and inconsistent.
3.Remove the money back guarentee.It seems very shady and desperate.
4.Remove all pictures of your dogs!

I am only telling you this to help you.Please do not be offended.I wouldn't bring my babies to your daycare based on 3 things-1.The sign in front of your house (and toys too).I don't think its very safe when you are not a center.I wouldn't want every stranger that drives down my street to know I am a daycare.2.You stated that you don't lock your door and you live in a bad neighborhood and kids come in and out.That shows very bad judgement on your part.I love that you want to help kids,but that is not safe for your DCKs or your own children.3.The dogs-You just let the dogs roam around the kids?Those are big dogs that shouldn't be mixed in with babies like that.In my state that wouldn't be allowed.

I'm writing you this in love&wanting to help you.Not to criticize you.You can charge whatever you like,just be consistent in your postings and always remove your old postings before putting up a new one.

[SilverSabre25]

I may not be a mod anymore, but I'm still going to say--knock it off. None of you actually seem to KNOW Permanentvacation and you need to leave her alone.

[LaLa1923]

Lala,

Just out of curiosity, did you ever call me and speak with me about what I offer and ask me about my rates? Did you even give me a chance and schedule an interview to come over and see for yourself what my daycare is all about?

To be honest, I was supposed to hear back from two daycare providers near you and they never called back.

Second, my current provider said she would be fine with keeping him. But she just changed her mind today!!

I am working 15 hour days, but yes, I was going to call and see if you were available. I did notice your ad say 1 and up though...

[daycare]

I may not be a mod anymore, but I'm still going to say--knock it off. None of you actually seem to KNOW Permanentvacation and you need to leave her alone.

Huh what did I miss????

Silver- you are not a mod? huh

[LaLa1923]

I may not be a mod anymore, but I'm still going to say--knock it off. None of you actually seem to KNOW Permanentvacation and you need to leave her alone.

What are you seeing that I'm not?? We're all having a conversation/debate. I don't see anyone getting nasty.

[sahm1225]

The violations being listed was from an unregistered user trying to stir the pot.

I understand you offering dates that your families can afford and I commend you for that. BUT I would not offer the satisfaction guarantee (you will be attracting the wrong type of families that will always want special). I agree w pp about tips to improve your ad.

You've been in business for over 25 years. You would think the other providers would understand that you are here to stay. I still find it oddthat a provider would specifically say NOT to go to you....

[daycare]

The violations being listed was from an unregistered user trying to stir the pot.

I understand you offering dates that your families can afford and I commend you for that. BUT I would not offer the satisfaction guarantee (you will be attracting the wrong type of families that will always want special). I agree w pp about tips to improve your ad.

You've been in business for over 25 years. You would think the other providers would understand that you are here to stay. I still find it oddthat a provider would specifically say NOT to go to you....

Some people will be caddy and act out of jealousy. One provider tried to call me one time to join in on her bashing another provider and I asked to not call me again. It was so HS.

UGH....gosh, hugs to you for all of this...this just down right ****S

[craftymissbeth]

I may not be a mod anymore, but I'm still going to say--knock it off. None of you actually seem to KNOW Permanentvacation and you need to leave her alone.

What the???

[LaLa1923]

The violations being listed was from an unregistered user trying to stir the pot.

I understand you offering dates that your families can afford and I commend you for that. BUT I would not offer the satisfaction guarantee (you will be attracting the wrong type of families that will always want special). I agree w pp about tips to improve your ad.

You've been in business for over 25 years. You would think the other providers would understand that you are here to stay. I still find it oddthat a provider would specifically say NOT to go to you....

I don't find it odd. I'm from her area. They will alleniate you for having really low rates. I don't think it makes much sense.

[cheerfuldom]

If she is only watching a max of 7 children in a city of 600,000 it's hard to believe other providers are that upset at her for offering 1/2 rate. How much of a difference could that make? And if they don't have infant openings anyway what do they care if another provider gets those kids??

Somethingseems fishy here...

i agree. fishy.

things are getting out of hand. OP, just take what you can and what is helpful in your progress forward and leave the rest. I do agree that your CL ad needs a little lift and I can understand why some providers may be upset at your rates, BUT it is your business to run as you see fit! I do think though that perhaps the inconsistent ads and the pics are not doing your years of experience justice! perhaps rethinking a few things can really generate some calls and then you will be full again. I know your ad had a lot of info but it was almost too much. I would want to highlight the location (general area), rates, contact info and a short summary of the best your care has to offer. If you get too descriptive, you are going to lose some interest from parents that don't want to wade through all the wording. good luck to you! sorry this thread got a little sour.

my last thought is to be careful about undercutting too far under the area average. that will unintentionally send a signal to parents that there is a reason why you are so inexpensive. in our area, super cheap rates almost always mean a new provider with no experience, a bad area of town, or a poor setup that is a turnoff to parents. Sometimes getting rates closer to the average and eliminating the "too good to be true" discounts and deals will actually generate calls!