Would Like Some Advice On Leaving My Job As A Day Care Provider

[queen_of_the_playground]

Hi everyone,

I'm a day care provider for infants (0-3). I've been working at my current job for 5 years and have grown very close to the children I care for and their families. My boss and I had a dispute about work conditions and I decided to give my notice, which is four weeks.

My boss spontaneously decided that I would not be allowed to work my remaining four weeks and didn't even allow me to say goodbye to the kids or the families. I turned in my notice and he asked for my keys and told me to leave. That was a week ago. After my co-workers read him the riot act, he sent me an email "allowing" me to come back to say goodbye.

I have two questions for you all.

1) I've seen several parents in the neighborhood and they have no idea what's going on. He hasn't even bothered to tell them yet. I guess they assume I'm sick? So far, I've simply neutrally said that I gave my notice and had to leave immediately. I feel like they're owed an explanation and since he's not doing it... Is there a better way to handle this?

2) Should I go back and say goodbye or would it be more confusing for the kids? Part of me wants him to just have to deal with the huge mess he made, but the kids are still, of course, very important to me.

Let me just be clear that there are no performance related problems. I've had great yearly reviews and super feedback from the parents. My boss is just angry and can't think straight.

TIA for your thoughts!

[Play Care]

I am sorry:hug:

If I understand correctly, you gave your notice and the boss fired you on the spot? Do you have another job lined up?

I don't know that I would say any more to parents - you would have to be careful about what you say and how you say it as to not look unprofessional. It may be better to take the high road here, because you never know when someone might be able to open a door for you, KWIM?

[rosieteddy]

I would definately go back to say goodbye to the children and staff.Make it upbeat and leave on a good note,I wouldn't share with the parents just say things didn't workout bussiness wise.I would tell the parents you enjoyed working with them.At the end of the day we are just their providers -teachers after 30 yrs in the bussiness I have come to realize we care a lot more than most parents. Good luck in your next job.

[NightOwl]

I would say something like "we had a difference in opinion. I turned in my notice and he chose to end my employment immediately instead". It would bother me to no end that long time parents thought I had just up and left their children with no notice and I think the above statement is well within your rights to say.

[Heidi]

You just never know, but one of those parents might know someone who knows someone, and this could lead to your next job. I would definitely say good bye, but be very professional about it.

[playground1]

For clarification: Yes, I have another job lined up. I quit because the new place pays better. Fortunately, Germany labor law is good to workers and he can't fire me. He has to pay me until my notice is up, but he let me go "free" as we say. So it's basically a paid vacation I guess.

I'm also lucky that we have some really great parents who've made it their business to find out what happened and they know that leaving that quickly wasn't my choice.

Thanks for the opinions guys, I appreciate them.

[playground1]

I just wanted to update this to say that I'm enjoying my vacation, the weather has been fantastic. Also, I got a beautiful email from one of the moms and they're planning a small goodbye party on our local playground . She also ripped my boss a new one, and he's making everything much worse than it has to be. Oh, well. Not my problem.

[Margarete]

It makes sense from a business prospective to do this. Often parents will ask where you are going, and some will consider following you to the new location. Don't take it personal, don't talk negatively about your previous employer. It may happen, but don't try to take business away from your previous employer, as that's another way to be unprofessional.