To Take SA'ers Back And When To Let Them Know?

[Crazy8]

I keep going back and forth on this one… I generally don't take SA'ers but took one who was a former dcf. I've posted before that this is my first family ever (in 13 years!) going thru divorce and we've had a few little bumps with that. Its not much money but I feel like its kind of "easy" money - dck just comes an hour in morning, not after school, doesn't mess with my ratios at all since I have ft'ers who come after the bus. Only con's are dcks are a little hyper, they come a half hour earlier than any other families and end up waking up my whole house some days (even dad comes in loud despite my whispering and telling them to keep their voices down). Payments are made without too much issue but parents are paying me separately and its gotten a little tense a few times over who has paid for how many days.

Every time they get on my nerves I say I am not taking them back next year. But then I think its an easy $200/month for only an hour a day (2 kids) and I can just deal with the little incoveniences. Next year I will probably have to get up earlier anyway as my own kids will be going to different school and it starts earlier.

Would you keep them or just be done with them? If I decide not to take them back when should I let them know? Before school gets out? Right when school gets out? (they don't come in the summer). There is a b/a school program they can use instead so wouldn't be leaving them too high and dry.

[Play Care]

I keep going back and forth on this one… I generally don't take SA'ers but took one who was a former dcf. I've posted before that this is my first family ever (in 13 years!) going thru divorce and we've had a few little bumps with that. Its not much money but I feel like its kind of "easy" money - dck just comes an hour in morning, not after school, doesn't mess with my ratios at all since I have ft'ers who come after the bus. Only con's are dcks are a little hyper, they come a half hour earlier than any other families and end up waking up my whole house some days (even dad comes in loud despite my whispering and telling them to keep their voices down). Payments are made without too much issue but parents are paying me separately and its gotten a little tense a few times over who has paid for how many days.

Every time they get on my nerves I say I am not taking them back next year. But then I think its an easy $200/month for only an hour a day (2 kids) and I can just deal with the little incoveniences. Next year I will probably have to get up earlier anyway as my own kids will be going to different school and it starts earlier.

Would you keep them or just be done with them? If I decide not to take them back when should I let them know? Before school gets out? Right when school gets out? (they don't come in the summer). There is a b/a school program they can use instead so wouldn't be leaving them too high and dry.

If it were me, I'd say no. For me, early, loud arrivals, any payment haggling, etc. would be more headache to me then it's worth. While $200 isn't measly, my sanity is worth more. Plus I find SA kids to be really rough with my toys and things. I can't wait to be done with SA care and have my toys last!! I would wait until their last week of care. Usually there are plenty of SA programs and they will probably have their pick. Something like "DCD, I was looking over my numbers and I won't be able to provide SA care in the fall. I was so bummed, but the kids are really ready for a dedicated SA program." If you are feeling generous maybe a short list of SA programs and their phone numbers in the term letter.

[Crazy8]

If it were me, I'd say no. For me, early, loud arrivals, any payment haggling, etc. would be more headache to me then it's worth. While $200 isn't measly, my sanity is worth more. Plus I find SA kids to be really rough with my toys and things. I can't wait to be done with SA care and have my toys last!! I would wait until their last week of care. Usually there are plenty of SA programs and they will probably have their pick. Something like "DCD, I was looking over my numbers and I won't be able to provide SA care in the fall. I was so bummed, but the kids are really ready for a dedicated SA program." If you are feeling generous maybe a short list of SA programs and their phone numbers in the term letter.

Thanks for the input. I used to think I would take ONLY SA'ers once my kids were all in school quickly rethought that plan!

It is the commotion of them coming in in the morning that bothers me most. Once they are in and settled and dad leaves (he's a lingerer and it kills me that I'm starting early for him but he has no issue hanging out for 10-15 min.) is when the "easy money" aspect takes over and then I think its not so bad. I think of "oh, this costs $100/month, this costs $50/month" and it can be covered by this family without dipping into my "real" daycare income so I think I should just deal with the 15 min. of craziness per day - that is really all it is. I also decided if I keep them I am only allowing one parent to pay - then they can haggle with each other over who paid for more days, etc.

[butterfly]

Nope - no way. Not worth the money for me to take SA. $200/month?! No way - that's not enough to make it worth it!

Bless you for being willing to work with SA.

I'd probably wait to tell them 2 weeks from summer vacation.

[Crazy8]

Nope - no way. Not worth the money for me to take SA. $200/month?! No way - that's not enough to make it worth it!

Bless you for being willing to work with SA.

I'd probably wait to tell them 2 weeks from summer vacation.

I know its not real great money but its only for an hour a day and it sure does help pay for some of life's little extras, you know? On one hand I say its not worth dealing with them coming in in the mornings and then on the other hand I say I should **** it up - its only an hour (if that), and its not like its stressing out my day or anything - they are on the bus by 8:30am, I don't even have to walk them out - they just stand on my porch till the bus comes.

[itlw8]

tell them now or first of May.... next year I will not be able to help you before school because my children will need me to get ready for school. I wanted to let you know now so if you wanted to check out the school program you could while there was plenty of room.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would see if they can fix their issues first. 1. Drop off and leave. Since youre staying 15 minutes i will be opening at that time now. 2. One parent pays.

[DaisyMamma]

That's an easy one.
NOPE.

[Play Care]

One of the things I'm doing for new clients is raising my weekly fee by $5. I figure this will cover the cost of me getting rid of SA kids.

[Second Home]

I have 3 sa kids . 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon . Not a huge deal unless they are here the whole day , then they are worse than the little ones .
I think it needs to be worth your time and less stressful at drop offs .

$200 a month for 2 kids is very low .
I charge $10 per day for sa and come the fall that will be going up, to $12 per day to help with the cost of food.