Snow Closing Tomorrow, Parent Challenging Me...Advice Please?

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  • MCC
    Daycare.com Member
    • Mar 2013
    • 501

    Snow Closing Tomorrow, Parent Challenging Me...Advice Please?

    Two parents have texted me asking if we are open tomorrow. I sent out a text to all of them stating that If my assistant is not able to make it in tomorrow, we will have to close at 11:30 in order to stay within ratios. I also said that if County Schools close, we will close for the day.

    Everyone said "okay" except one parent. The same parent that kept their child home last week b/c she didn't approve of the sub I hired to help my assistant while I was at an appointment.

    She is challenging me closing b/c of coverage, rather than b/c of weather. I told her my assistant can't come in b/c of the weather. All local centers are closed for this same reason, and we also need to make sure an ambulance can get here if need be. I am pretty angry about this. Last week I hired a sub, and she was pissed, now I don't have a sub come in, and she is pissed. I can't win with her.

    I want to remind her that as discussed in our interview, home daycares sometimes have to close for reasons a center doesn't (me being sick, coverage etc). This is a risk you take when enrolling in a small home daycare, yes? It's also one of the reasons home daycare is 1/3 of the price of a center, yes?

    What should I say to her? Other than "Here is your notice?", which isn't out off the table...
  • Maria2013
    Daycare.com Member
    • Aug 2013
    • 1026

    #2
    I truly dislike when parents challenge the provider's decision, I'd get rid of her!
    ...I would have closed for the day, I would not risk going out of ratio cause parents fail to pick up on time

    Comment

    • MCC
      Daycare.com Member
      • Mar 2013
      • 501

      #3
      Originally posted by Maria2013
      I truly dislike when parents challenge the provider's decision, I'd get rid of her!
      ...I would have closed for the day, I would not risk going out of ratio cause parents fail to pick up on time
      Oh, there is no way I would go over ratios, ever. Lol I JUST got my license, on Friday.

      Comment

      • Maria2013
        Daycare.com Member
        • Aug 2013
        • 1026

        #4
        congratulationshappyface:hug:

        Comment

        • Laurel
          Daycare.com Member
          • Mar 2013
          • 3218

          #5
          Originally posted by MCC
          Two parents have texted me asking if we are open tomorrow. I sent out a text to all of them stating that If my assistant is not able to make it in tomorrow, we will have to close at 11:30 in order to stay within ratios. I also said that if County Schools close, we will close for the day.

          Everyone said "okay" except one parent. The same parent that kept their child home last week b/c she didn't approve of the sub I hired to help my assistant while I was at an appointment.

          She is challenging me closing b/c of coverage, rather than b/c of weather. I told her my assistant can't come in b/c of the weather. All local centers are closed for this same reason, and we also need to make sure an ambulance can get here if need be. I am pretty angry about this. Last week I hired a sub, and she was pissed, now I don't have a sub come in, and she is pissed. I can't win with her.

          I want to remind her that as discussed in our interview, home daycares sometimes have to close for reasons a center doesn't (me being sick, coverage etc). This is a risk you take when enrolling in a small home daycare, yes? It's also one of the reasons home daycare is 1/3 of the price of a center, yes?

          What should I say to her? Other than "Here is your notice?", which isn't out off the table...
          Maybe just say "I will let you know as soon as I know if my assistant can make it or not. If not, I will be closing at 11:30, thanks."

          Laurel

          Comment

          • Lucy
            Daycare.com Member
            • Jan 2010
            • 1654

            #6
            Originally posted by MCC
            Two parents have texted me asking if we are open tomorrow. I sent out a text to all of them stating that If my assistant is not able to make it in tomorrow, we will have to close at 11:30 in order to stay within ratios. I also said that if County Schools close, we will close for the day.

            Everyone said "okay" except one parent. The same parent that kept their child home last week b/c she didn't approve of the sub I hired to help my assistant while I was at an appointment.

            She is challenging me closing b/c of coverage, rather than b/c of weather. I told her my assistant can't come in b/c of the weather. All local centers are closed for this same reason, and we also need to make sure an ambulance can get here if need be. I am pretty angry about this. Last week I hired a sub, and she was pissed, now I don't have a sub come in, and she is pissed. I can't win with her.

            I want to remind her that as discussed in our interview, home daycares sometimes have to close for reasons a center doesn't (me being sick, coverage etc). This is a risk you take when enrolling in a small home daycare, yes? It's also one of the reasons home daycare is 1/3 of the price of a center, yes?

            What should I say to her? Other than "Here is your notice?", which isn't out off the table...
            I wouldn't have even given her gripe any power. If I sent a text saying we'd have to close due to weather related problems and someone sent back a text trying to fight me on my decision, I'd either not text back at all, (I mean, you've already done your duty by telling her you'll have to close, so why engage her in a power struggle?) OR - I'd text back saying, "Mother Nature says she's sorry". Because, really, it's not YOUR fault, it's the weather's fault, right?

            My philosophy, whenever possible, is to not make THEIR problems MINE. I do admit to feeling guilty when I do stuff that I know they won't like, but I try to keep this philosophy in mind

            Comment

            • crazydaycarelady
              Not really crazy
              • Jul 2012
              • 1457

              #7
              We have only had this situation once and I stayed open. A lot of people called off anyway, but since they called off and not me, I still got paid.

              Seriously, I'd get rid of that dcm. Why put up with a thorn in your side if you don't have to?

              Comment

              • heyhun77
                Advanced Daycare.com Member
                • Jan 2011
                • 370

                #8
                If schools are closing and roads are not 100% passable is she even working? I do have a couple of dcp that work weather-related jobs so they ARE actually working and have asked what my weather-closure policy is (which is I live at work so I'm here if they can get to me AND actually are working). The only time I've ever had to close for weather was actually just a late start because I had to use the snow blower to at least make a path and between the amount of snow that actually came down and the strength of the wind I had to get through drifts that were at least 2 feet deep in spots. I can usually handle snow blowing before my kiddos arrive but I'm not THAT good. Everyone understood since even school was 2 hours late and I was just delaying by an hour.

                I'd say that between last week's issue and now this she is probably looking for ways to get out of her contract. She's nit-picking and I wouldn't go for it. ****s to lose a family but you'll have to decide if you want to have this continue or move on with your life AND less stress.

                Comment

                • Naptime yet?
                  Daycare.com Member
                  • Dec 2013
                  • 443

                  #9
                  Tell her the same sub she didn't approve of last week will be in to sub for your assistant tomorrow

                  Comment

                  • Lorri
                    Daycare.com Member
                    • Nov 2013
                    • 50

                    #10
                    You can not go over your number. Sure. The state might not show up but what is to say this woman won't report you.

                    Comment

                    • MCC
                      Daycare.com Member
                      • Mar 2013
                      • 501

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Naptime yet?
                      Tell her the same sub she didn't approve of last week will be in to sub for your assistant tomorrow
                      That is what I wanted to say, but my H said that was a little passive aggressive.

                      I ended up texting her and saying that recently we have been having some conflicts, and I would like to set up some time to work through her questions and concerns, and then we will decide if we are a good fit.

                      Her response was "Oh, I really don't think we have a conflict here, I just needed an explanation"...:: now that she thinks her spot is in jeopardy, she's back peddling.

                      She only started 4 weeks ago, her son is 12 weeks now, so she is a first time, brand new mom, and I'm not sure any provider is going to meet her expectations, I think they need a nanny.

                      Comment

                      • thetoddlerwhisper
                        Daycare.com Member
                        • Oct 2013
                        • 394

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Naptime yet?
                        Tell her the same sub she didn't approve of last week will be in to sub for your assistant tomorrow
                        exactly what i would say

                        Comment

                        • itlw8
                          Daycare.com Member
                          • Jan 2012
                          • 2199

                          #13
                          2 hour later start for when it is so deep you need a snow blower??? Here they cancel school if there is 2 inches of snow The roads have to be passable for snow routes by 6 am

                          Not safe for buses but work does not close. unless there is 2 inches of ice or 12 inches of snow. We are very hilly here and lots of school buses.
                          It:: will wait

                          Comment

                          • SunnyDay
                            Daycare.com Member
                            • Jan 2012
                            • 247

                            #14
                            In the future I would not discuss your reasoning with her. Either make it your policy to close when schools are closed, or make it your policy to close at your discretion, but don't get into a debate about it.

                            Here in MI work doesn't shut down for anything, so I would be a little confused about why your assistant couldn't make it, too, but I know other states are not so prepared for the snow

                            Comment

                            • Naptime yet?
                              Daycare.com Member
                              • Dec 2013
                              • 443

                              #15
                              Ahhhhh, new parent syndrome, understandable. You are a wonderful provider, willing to explain to her what daycare is all about. Passive aggressive is my middle name because I'm a wimp. I have a new parent who's husband freaked out because I was going to give their child puffs (with permission from mom) before they did. I said if he takes his first steps here I won't tell.

                              Comment

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