WWYD? I Have To Make Some Hard Choices

[Josiegirl]

Because I have 9 SA's and 5 FT/1PT now on my list, how in heck do I choose which ones can come during days off? I can have 10 here, except during summer when I can have 12, as long as I have a helper. These kids have all been with me for quite awhile and I love them all dearly.

Right now, I'm kind of doing a 'first come first serve'. But that isn't exactly fair to anyone.

[coolconfidentme]

Can you hire an assistant during the time they will be there for break? Would that be cost effective?

[Meyou]

I would do first come, first serve. Either a sign up sheet by the front door or an email by date posted in advance for the school age. The littles would have their normal spot on days off for the school agers.

[Play Care]

Because I have 9 SA's and 5 FT/1PT now on my list, how in heck do I choose which ones can come during days off? I can have 10 here, except during summer when I can have 12, as long as I have a helper. These kids have all been with me for quite awhile and I love them all dearly.

Right now, I'm kind of doing a 'first come first serve'. But that isn't exactly fair to anyone.

Why isn't that fair? Because some parents are on top of their child's schedule and think ahead to sign up first?
I can't think of any other way it would be fair. I *would* make it clear to parents interviewing for SA spots that you might not have space on days off from school.

[Blackcat31]

I no longer take SA kids but when I did, I handled the off days by figuring out which family brought in the most income for me.

If a SA'er had an "anchor" sibling here then they automatically had priority over those kids that didn't have siblings.

Also if more than one had a sibling, I went according to which family used the most hours or was more full time.

I think it worked well for me to do it that way because it was business not personal.

If it were personal, I would have chosen the kids that were easiest or got along best with the other kids....kwim?

I also see NOTHING wrong with first come, first serve method too. It's usually the fairest way to do something IMPO.

[itlw8]

It could be first come first pay on a rotating basis.

Of those who want those days off pay a higher weekly fee for the privilege of knowing they have a spot on days off and the summer.

[cheerfuldom]

I would go with those that have a younger sibling in your care with first priority. Then first come first serve.

I wouldn't worry at all about being fair. Do what is best for you!

Walmart still sells cereal for $5 for a friggin' box of cereal. Do I think that is fair? no but its a business. They aren't in it for fairness, its about income.

[TwinKristi]

I'm confused... Are these kids on your wait list or older SA siblings? If they have siblings that's a no brainier. Siblings almost always have preference when it comes to centers and preschools. It's not unfair to offer those spots first because they're established families in your care so it makes sense their older siblings would come to avoid two care providers or the families finding someone to take both. Then, if none are siblings or you still have space after your siblings, then decide on a FT/PT basis and lastly first come first serve after that. And how PT is your single PTer? Is it worth having that 1 PT kid all summer taking up a potentially FT spot? And is it worth paying a helper to have only 2 more kids? That's so bizarre to me! 1 extra adult only adds 2 kids?!

[Josiegirl]

There is only one sib out of the 9 SA's. All the rest are kids I've had since they were 4 months and up, and have all gone off to school so the only time I see them is during days off. Last summer, I was able to still accommodate them all because I had my 20 yo dd helping me and I could serve up to 12. But since school started I've enrolled new kids so hence the problem. I can hire help again this next summer. I had the chance to get someone in here last summer that the state pays for entirely. But my dd needed work so I paid her instead. This summer, if she chooses to not come home, I'm going to look into the state program again so can have the 12 dcks. But I'm still going to need to make changes somewhere.
If I understand our state's regulations correctly, we're only allowed to have 6 FT, plus 4 afterschool, for not more than 4 hours a day. Then during vacations we can have 10 but during summer it's different. If we have more than 6 ft in the summer we need to have help.
It's confusing. I had steady families for so long that I knew what to expect, etc. Now that's all changing with them growing off to school but still needing care on days off; unfortunately I still need the income so have to enroll new kids who also need the spots.

[Play Care]

There is only one sib out of the 9 SA's. All the rest are kids I've had since they were 4 months and up, and have all gone off to school so the only time I see them is during days off. Last summer, I was able to still accommodate them all because I had my 20 yo dd helping me and I could serve up to 12. But since school started I've enrolled new kids so hence the problem. I can hire help again this next summer. I had the chance to get someone in here last summer that the state pays for entirely. But my dd needed work so I paid her instead. This summer, if she chooses to not come home, I'm going to look into the state program again so can have the 12 dcks. But I'm still going to need to make changes somewhere.
If I understand our state's regulations correctly, we're only allowed to have 6 FT, plus 4 afterschool, for not more than 4 hours a day. Then during vacations we can have 10 but during summer it's different. If we have more than 6 ft in the summer we need to have help.
It's confusing. I had steady families for so long that I knew what to expect, etc. Now that's all changing with them growing off to school but still needing care on days off; unfortunately I still need the income so have to enroll new kids who also need the spots.

I'm assuming you paid your dd well? Rather than wait and see what she decides I would ask her outright if she wants to come back to work with you this summer so you can plan. I would also figure out how many kids you can have - I know you said it was confusing but your licensor should be able to help you and figure if those numbers allow you to make the money you need to make. Hopefully they do. You don't want to be over ratio because the state won't care if it was an accident...depending on your state it could be a very big deal.

[TwinKristi]

I guess I would ask each of the parents what their summer plans are and that this year you're limited due to lack of kids during the school year and over abundance during the summer. I don't mean this in a manipulative way but maybe you should consider a deposit for the summer and it's first come first serve. The deposit can be applied to their first 2wks of care or whatever you decide but then you KNOW how many kids you'll have and can decide on whether you need help or not and where to get it. You don't want to get stuck turning away families only to have some not show up.

[cheerfuldom]

If you have all these kids wanting spots and no way to prioritize them (since most do not have siblings), I would increase your rate for school age kids and then go by a first come first serve basis. the increase will also help continue paying for help and make more money and will more than likely, take a few families out of the running if they are not willing to pay the increase.

[Play Care]

If you have all these kids wanting spots and no way to prioritize them (since most do not have siblings), I would increase your rate for school age kids and then go by a first come first serve basis. the increase will also help continue paying for help and make more money and will more than likely, take a few families out of the running if they are not willing to pay the increase.

That is awesome!

[BrooklynM]

I believe we can solve any problem in the world with a game of rock, paper scissors, but since that would just seem silly in this setting, then I think first come first serve would work . Oh- and take bribes in the form of cash and gift cards!

[itlw8]

so none of them pay you weekly for afterschool care ? then first come first serve and if they reserve a space they pay for it... in advance.... when they reserve it.... no refunds.

Tell dcm of the one that is f/t the plan.As far as summer it is the same way they have to put down a deposit