The grass isn't always greener

[CraftyMom]

Do you take families back after they leave in search of greener pastures?

I might in this case because I do miss dcg. I only had her from 4-8 months but sometimes a dck really gets inside your heart.

Mom texted yesterday to see if I could possibly take her back as drop in. I'm considering it. They were a great family, always paid on time. Only trouble was they would ALWAYS change their drop off times or not come at all due to the nature of dad's work. I had enough of that and put my foot down, within a week they found new care, stating it had nothing to do with me, they loved me but needed longer hours now. (Of course I saw through the coincidence)

They left on good terms. If I take her back I will be much stricter with the drop ins. I have since learned a lot and started growing a backbone

Maybe on a trial basis

[Shell]

I don't know if I ever could , because I would always be nervous they are going to leave again. Drop in sounds ok, and I agree about being stricter . But can you accommodate the hours they need since that is supposedly why they left?

[NightOwl]

I don't know if I ever could , because I would always be nervous they are going to leave again. Drop in sounds ok, and I agree about being stricter . But can you accommodate the hours they need since that is supposedly why they left?

This. What happened with the new place? Why do they need drop in care if she's enrolled somewhere else?

[midaycare]

I would make a purely financial decision at this point. If you need the money, do it. If not, no way.

[Blackcat31]

Depends on why they left....

If they truly left because they needed something you did not offer (longer hours) and can now comply with those same rules at your house, then why not?

I would take them back. IF I KNEW, they would follow my policies and wouldn't give me any slack about being on time or scheduling correctly.

Same for families that got booted from other daycares; sometimes I think they can be easier to deal with as they have already experienced being told no so it usually works in my favor.

I'd give it a try. You can always fall back on the two week trial period.

[CraftyMom]

The new place does not do drop ins.

I guess they are there 3 days but dads work hours change and they need drop in for the other 2 days.

My hours have not changed and they know this.

I am only considering it because I have the availability at the moment, which I explained to mom. Eventually I won't (hopefully I will fill this open spot soon!)

At that point I would offer them to come here full time or fill the spot with someone else.

I get the feeling they are testing the waters to see if they could come back on a regular basis.

[Second Home]

For me it would really depend on how things went at the end of care , if you were both still on good terms and IF they are able to follow your rules . Then why not give it a try .

[KiddieCahoots]

Sounds like you have a good plan, and back up. I say give it a try....why not?
If they went else where thinking it would be greener and are coming back, then they know exactly what's out there now.
You already know their style, personalities, and tricks. Knowing this, I figure you can make that work for you.

[Annalee]

do you take families back after they leave in search of greener pastures?

absolutely not!!!

[BumbleBee]

If we're on good terms-yes. If not-no.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Families that have left me once before alwYs have left me again if I took them back. I would do it tenporarily until you filled that spot with a different family.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

It depends how they left. If it was respectful and within my contract rules, yes, I'd consider it. If they left with little or no warning or were rude, and then think they can come back, heck no.

In your case, I would, being sure to stay strict.