How to tell the parents I'm going back to college?

[palmer5mn]

Hi Ladies,
I'm new to this forum but have read some of the comments here and there. I thought you might have some good suggestions for the upcoming situation...I'm going to be going back to college starting in Nov and I need to inform my families so they are aware of the extra things I'm taking on and because I'm not going to school for a child care related degree. I will still have daycare open during the same hours I have now (7am-5pm). I will be doing some of my classes online and I will have class at the school 1 night per week. The night of the week and the time I need to be there varies by quarter but there isn't any quarter that requires me to be there more that 1 hour before I close and some quarters not until after I close. My hubby is my sub and will fill in on that 1 day each week if I have any kids that are still here. I wrote a letter to the families saying just that but I don't want them to freak out and pull their kids out thinking that they will be out of daycare after I graduate (which will be over 2 years from now). I haven't given them the letter yet. Is there anything I could say to let them know that even though my degree will be in another field, I won't be making any career changes until I compete all my schooling and then find another job, which will be 2-3 years away yet? Or should I just be more vague and not give them all the details yet- just tell them I'm going back to school and all the info that could affect their schedule directly?

Thanks for your help!!

[dbslas]

Why do you feel the need to tell them anything at all since it won't interfere with your daycare hours? Good for you for going back to school

[Cat Herder]

In your shoes, I'd not mention it at all.

You husband is your sub, they know that. Tell them the day of, like for any other appt; Otherwise you may find yourself being micromanaged.

On the day of class: Tell them at morning drop-off that your husband will be doing pick-ups today.

Then smile and act like it is no big deal... they will follow your lead. If you act nervous about it, so will they.

[palmer5mn]

You both are probably right. I always feel like I need to explain things to the DCPs, but in actuality, I don't need to tell them anything about my personal life that doesn't affect them. But wont' they notice when I leave early every Thursday for 11 weeks in a row and question it? Do I tell them at that point and just down play it saying something like "I'm taking some college classes and have class at the school 1 night each week" and leave it at that? In my state, I can only use a sub for 30 hours a year so I may have to close that 1 hour early on that 1 day a week towards the end of the year if I have exhausted all my hubby's sub hours- unless I make him go through all the training to become a co-provider before that but he's not to excited about doing that.

[cheerfuldom]

I think you are overexplaining things. I am in college online right now and will be taking some in seat classes at some point and I have no plans to tell any of the parents. It doesnt change daycare for right now and so i dont think there is any need to tell them. when my assistant is here, they know she is here but they dont get the details of what i am doing (usually appointments and stuff)

[dbslas]

You both are probably right. I always feel like I need to explain things to the DCPs, but in actuality, I don't need to tell them anything about my personal life that doesn't affect them. But wont' they notice when I leave early every Thursday for 11 weeks in a row and question it? Do I tell them at that point and just down play it saying something like "I'm taking some college classes and have class at the school 1 night each week" and leave it at that? In my state, I can only use a sub for 30 hours a year so I may have to close that 1 hour early on that 1 day a week towards the end of the year if I have exhausted all my hubby's sub hours- unless I make him go through all the training to become a co-provider before that but he's not to excited about doing that.

If I didn't want them knowing or having to explain, keep it simple as you said. Taking a college class or taking a pottery class or exercise class or going to the chiropractor, etc. And if you are allotted 30 hours a year and you are only leaving an hour early for 11 weeks -- you should be good

[JoseyJo]

I don't think anyone would care if you go back to school, it is actually a good thing since it shows that you want to learn and grow. I don't know that any dc parent thinks we will be doing dc forever, or even thinks about it at all, as long as it doesn't negatively affect them

That being said, I also don't think you should "inform" the dc parents in any way- the only thing that will accomplish is to make them worry (and in why is she telling me this? is she planning on closing soon? is my child going to get less attention? etc)

[palmer5mn]

Thanks for the input everyone! I think I'll just start doing my thing with school and if any parents question it, I'll just be vague about it giving only basic info.
My degree program consists of 8 quarters, each would be 11 weeks..out of those there is 2 quarters where I won't have to leave early- so 6 quarters at 11 weeks each, at 1 hour per week- I'll definitely run out of sub time for my hubby. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there!

Thanks again!

[Blackcat31]

As long as the care and hours your parents signed up for isn't compromised I think most parents would be supportive and understanding.

As far as needing to use your DH as your sub and being worried about running out of allowable hours for him, why not just add him to your license now so that when you do need to use him, you don't have to worry about that?

As a sub or a secondary provider he is still required to have the same trainings and background checks etc...

Welcome to the forum too!