Spot Holding Issue, Not Covered In Contract

[jenn]

I allow my teacher families to move to part time for the summer. They pay for 3 days minimum per week. They can send them 3 days or just pay to hold their spot. They feel like they are getting a deal (and they are) and I still make enough to survive!::
I would just approach it positively. "DCM, I wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed working with you and your child. I am willing to offer you a special deal in order to hold your spot over the summer. I will allow you to save your spot at my part time rate instead of paying the full weekly amount. (if you are willing to make her a deal.) If you would like to send your child a few days a week, that would be great! It will help your child stay in routine and will allow you some time to get ready for the next school year!"
I absolutely would not apologize for not making this clear at enrollment or let her know that you are feeling bad. Most parents would use that guilt to their advantage and walk all over you.

[Blackcat31]

She contracted with me specifically for the school year. I knew that going in. We never discussed how I/we would go about holding that spot for re-enrollment in the fall and my contract (I should say handbook/contract) doesn't touch on it. Yeah, I know, that makes no common sense at all. So now I have to decide how to approach it with dcm as the school year comes to a close in six and a half weeks. I want to be fair, and not sound like I am being arbitrary simply because I hadn't thought of this earlier.

I don't think it would be unfair to ask her for 50% of my regular rate to hold her spot for the summer, and to make myself available for her for (help me fill in the blank here) certain days. ?

If she contracted with you for the school year only then the issue isn't so much holding her space but renewing her contract.

Let her know that her contract ends when the school year ends and if she wishes to re-enroll come Fall, she will need to re-apply IF you have space available.

Let her know that if she decides to take the spot come Fall the only way to hold it for that long then is to pay for it.

I don't think contracting for the school year only paints you into a corner at all. I would simply assume that she is wanting to end the contract at the end of the school year.

I'd let her but would give her the head's up that if she is simply assuming the space will be waiting for her to return that the space WILL be filled and your business will move on... it has NOTHING to do with her. It's not personal.

Its up to her what she does after that. kwim?

[Heidi]

If she contracted with you for the school year only then the issue isn't so much holding her space but renewing her contract.

Let her know that her contract ends when the school year ends and if she wishes to re-enroll come Fall, she will need to re-apply IF you have space available.

Let her know that if she decides to take the spot come Fall the only way to hold it for that long then is to pay for it.

I don't think contracting for the school year only paints you into a corner at all. I would simply assume that she is wanting to end the contract at the end of the school year.

I'd let her but would give her the head's up that if she is simply assuming the space will be waiting for her to return that the space WILL be filled and your business will move on... it has NOTHING to do with her. It's not personal.

Its up to her what she does after that. kwim?

[drseuss]

If she contracted with you for the school year only then the issue isn't so much holding her space but renewing her contract.

Let her know that her contract ends when the school year ends and if she wishes to re-enroll come Fall, she will need to re-apply IF you have space available.

Let her know that if she decides to take the spot come Fall the only way to hold it for that long then is to pay for it.

I don't think contracting for the school year only paints you into a corner at all. I would simply assume that she is wanting to end the contract at the end of the school year.

I'd let her but would give her the head's up that if she is simply assuming the space will be waiting for her to return that the space WILL be filled and your business will move on... it has NOTHING to do with her. It's not personal.

Its up to her what she does after that. kwim?

That's kind of it...the part that makes ME feel like a JERK is the fact that I never brought it up earlier, and now I am afraid that she will feel like I set a trap for her or something. And really, in a profession that is ALL about caring, nurturing, loving the little ones, how do we separate that so that it is NOT personal? Because, in a big way, it is quite personal. Something I've always struggled with. Today I had a dcm ask me if she could swap a day next week, and I told her no problem, as per usual, because I have the wiggle room. She flat out told me that my problem was that I am too nice. And for real, I am nearly broke because of it and at my wit's end. You'd think that years of experience would fix that. I have learned a lot of things and become a much stronger person through the issues that I have had to deal with, like the first time terming, etc. But really. Sometimes I think that I need to hire somebody just to be my backbone.

[Heidi]

That's kind of it...the part that makes ME feel like a JERK is the fact that I never brought it up earlier, and now I am afraid that she will feel like I set a trap for her or something. And really, in a profession that is ALL about caring, nurturing, loving the little ones, how do we separate that so that it is NOT personal? Because, in a big way, it is quite personal. Something I've always struggled with. Today I had a dcm ask me if she could swap a day next week, and I told her no problem, as per usual, because I have the wiggle room. She flat out told me that my problem was that I am too nice. And for real, I am nearly broke because of it and at my wit's end. You'd think that years of experience would fix that. I have learned a lot of things and become a much stronger person through the issues that I have had to deal with, like the first time terming, etc. But really. Sometimes I think that I need to hire somebody just to be my backbone.

"Hey, dcm...it just occurred to me that we never really discussed summer. How do you think we should handle that?"

If she says...well, I didn't think I'd pay you, but I want to bring her back in the fall...you can say "well, I'd love to have her back in the fall, but, unfortunately, I can't afford to keep her spot open all summer, so we can either have her attend half-time and have you pay for that, or, you can risk it. What do ya think?" If she looks confused, say "hey, I know you'll want to think about it. How about we talk again later in the week?" That way, she can digest it, and maybe even ask around to see what other teachers are paying. She may get an eye-opener, or not, but you've given her the opportunity to think about it.

Put it back on her...but stand your ground. That's not bait-and-switch, honey. It's you keeping your business afloat. :hug:

[drseuss]

"Hey, dcm...it just occurred to me that we never really discussed summer. How do you think we should handle that?"

If she says...well, I didn't think I'd pay you, but I want to bring her back in the fall...you can say "well, I'd love to have her back in the fall, but, unfortunately, I can't afford to keep her spot open all summer, so we can either have her attend half-time and have you pay for that, or, you can risk it. What do ya think?" If she looks confused, say "hey, I know you'll want to think about it. How about we talk again later in the week?" That way, she can digest it, and maybe even ask around to see what other teachers are paying. She may get an eye-opener, or not, but you've given her the opportunity to think about it.

Put it back on her...but stand your ground. That's not bait-and-switch, honey. It's you keeping your business afloat. :hug:

Thank you, thank you! This is the exact type of wisdom I am needing to hear right now. This, and BC and some of the others' wisdom is what I need to hear. Thanks everyone.

[Shell]

That's kind of it...the part that makes ME feel like a JERK is the fact that I never brought it up earlier, and now I am afraid that she will feel like I set a trap for her or something. And really, in a profession that is ALL about caring, nurturing, loving the little ones, how do we separate that so that it is NOT personal? Because, in a big way, it is quite personal. Something I've always struggled with. Today I had a dcm ask me if she could swap a day next week, and I told her no problem, as per usual, because I have the wiggle room. She flat out told me that my problem was that I am too nice. And for real, I am nearly broke because of it and at my wit's end. You'd think that years of experience would fix that. I have learned a lot of things and become a much stronger person through the issues that I have had to deal with, like the first time terming, etc. But really. Sometimes I think that I need to hire somebody just to be my backbone.

This is me, too. But, learn from my experience. I let dcm (a family of two doctors) go an entire summer (it happened to be a maternity leave, but same duration you are thinking of) without paying, for two kids. On top of this, when she returned, I let her choose the days her kids came (rotating schedule), and I gave her a discount of over $40/week because she cried poverty, medical school debt, etc.

Then, when I couldn't be as flexible with them, they gave their notice Learned my lesson the hard way. If I could do it over again, I would have made her pay for at least 3 days, but I was doing her a favor

I agree with what people are saying above. Explain that although you really enjoy having the family here, you have to have steady income. Give them the option of 3 days/week, or they can try back in the fall to see if you have space. I know it is scary thinking they might not return, and if you can't fill the spot over the summer, you may feel like you are losing double here, but you have to look out for your business. I would also start advertising.

[itlw8]

for all you know she is not coming back in the fall you contracted for the school year. And yes it is likely when the child is older they will not comeback but go to a preschool in the fall

My teachers come 2 or 3 set days in the summer but not infants. I can only have 2 so they are full time unless I OFFER to have a lighter summer
So I would say do you plan on coming back in the fall ? If she says yes I say I require $50 a week to hold it but they need to be set days and the week of the 4th you only get 1 day

[drseuss]

I finally had the conversation with my dcm. I have been worried about how she would take it. She basically just said oh, we just planned on paying through the summer. Uh... okay. I am sure that I was red as a beet. Felt like passing out having that conversation. What I put myself through. Thanks for all your input gals.

[CraftyMom]

I finally had the conversation with my dcm. I have been worried about how she would take it. She basically just said oh, we just planned on paying through the summer. Uh... okay. I am sure that I was red as a beet. Felt like passing out having that conversation. What I put myself through. Thanks for all your input gals.

Sometimes we get ourselves worked up over nothing

So what was your conversation about? Did you offer her to pay half the week and she assumed she was paying the full week?

[drseuss]

I reminded her that her contract expires at the end of the school year, and asked her what her intentions were. I told her that we were in a bit of a spot, regarding her baby's spot here at daycare. She just said oh, we planned on continuing to pay you through the summer. So I totally had myself worked up over what turned out to be nothing.

[Laurel]

If she contracted with you for the school year only then the issue isn't so much holding her space but renewing her contract.

Let her know that her contract ends when the school year ends and if she wishes to re-enroll come Fall, she will need to re-apply IF you have space available.

Let her know that if she decides to take the spot come Fall the only way to hold it for that long then is to pay for it.

I don't think contracting for the school year only paints you into a corner at all. I would simply assume that she is wanting to end the contract at the end of the school year.

I'd let her but would give her the head's up that if she is simply assuming the space will be waiting for her to return that the space WILL be filled and your business will move on... it has NOTHING to do with her. It's not personal.

Its up to her what she does after that. kwim?

[MarinaVanessa]

I reminded her that her contract expires at the end of the school year, and asked her what her intentions were. I told her that we were in a bit of a spot, regarding her baby's spot here at daycare. She just said oh, we planned on continuing to pay you through the summer. So I totally had myself worked up over what turned out to be nothing.

Lesson learned though and now you have the experience of what to do if this issue arises again . Things worked out for you and that's great so now just make sure you include a little blurb about this in your handbook/contract or at least remember to bring it up the next time you have a teacher as a client

[CraftyMom]

I'm glad it worked out and you won't lose the income over the summer!