Which Family Should I Go With?

[MCC]

I know this is my decision, but sometimes you ladies have more insight than I do.

Currently I have one open spot from now until May 1. when a sibling arrives.

I have two families wanting this spot. One is a 3 yo girl, and one is 18 mo boy. I currently have 2 groups of kids, 4 under 1, and 3 right at 3.

The 18 month old boy is very sweet, he is doing a trial day today, he ate well, played well, and went down pretty quickly and quietly for nap. He is also very verbal, which is nice, but he is in the middle of our age groups, he is a toddler, and doesn't really fit in with our preschoolers, and still needs a lot of redirection and training. He would be full time.

The 3 yo wants a part time, MWTh spot. I do not offer part time care, but I might for a 3 year old, as these are very hard spots to fill in my area. Over the past year, I have gotten 3 calls about kids over 2.

To add to this, 2 of my under ones are currently on "probation" b/c I just can not take one of them anymore, he cries constantly, will not let me put him down, and he is cousin of another that will leave if I term one.

So I have 2 thoughts, if I keep the two babies, I just need to fill a spot for 5 months, and will take the full timer.

If I term the babies, I could take the 18month old, and the 3 year old, which is a way better situation than having 4 under one, we would only have 2 under one at that point...sounds heavenly.

Advice? Thoughts? Am I missing something? TIA

[butterfly]

I'm slightly confused. Do both families know this spot is only available until May? I would go with the familiy that nets you the most money if it's only 5 months.

Otherwise term both trouble makers and take both new clients.

I don't do part time either. Well, I do, but I charge a full time rate. So if the part time family wanted to enroll with me, they would be paying the full time rate.

[MCC]

Yes, they both know it's a temp spot.

I'd be netting more money with the 18 month old, but the 3 yo would be way easier.

I charge full rate for part time too, but they wouldn't pay it, so they would likely not enroll.

Really I'm not as concerned with the money, more my sanity level at this point

[daycarediva]

I would term the babies in an instant. A happy toddler, and a 3yo who would fit in with the other preschoolers is SOOO MUCH better for my sanity! Especially if it's a temp solution, I might offer the 3yo a deal, and let them know that. "Normally I charge a FT rate regardless of the days used, but I would like to offer you a discount...."


If you did this, you could offer one (whichever worked best for you) a long term space instead of a temp one.

[TwinKristi]

If the 2 babies both left, wouldn't this free up both spots they need and still leave the spot in May for the sibling? This may be a better idea altogether.

[MCC]

If the 2 babies both left, wouldn't this free up both spots they need and still leave the spot in May for the sibling? This may be a better idea altogether.

Yes- this is what would happen.

I know it seems like hey, just term the babies, but I feel bad, I really do. I have to somehow get over feeling bad about this.