Need Some Encouragement - Closing

[2 young 2 feel this old]

This is my 10th year in childcare. My hubby and I have been planning our closing strategy for about 3 years and now that it is happening, I am unsure about it.
Hubby got a new job that will cover my income as well as what he was making, but he will be working from home so there is no way I can keep my business open. When he started to pursue this position I was very excited – it is everything we have been looking for. Now I am worried about telling the parents and sad that I will not be seeing the kids (some of them). I also feel selfish for not continuing to care for these kids; all of my kids have been with me for 3 years or more.
I need to hear that it is okay- even good- to close and focus on my own kids. That these families will be okay without me (that sounds so egotistical, not my intent), and that the parents will not be mad at me or if they are, that I am not wrong.
My last day would be June 27 – when would you give notice? My contract requires 2 weeks. Does it soften the closure if I give more notice?
Thanks!

[playground1]

My last day would be June 27 – when would you give notice? My contract requires 2 weeks. Does it soften the closure if I give more notice?
Thanks!

First, congratulations to your husband!! That's fantastic.happyface

But as far as your concerns: I would give them as much notice as you can. 6 weeks would not be too much in my opinion. And yes, they will be okay. I know exactly how you feel. I quit my job a few weeks ago because my new one has better money and conditions and it was HARD. We're so involved in those little ones' lives!

But kids are so flexible and resilient. They will be okay.

[Blackcat31]

You need to do what is best for YOU and it sounds to me like you and your DH worked very hard to be in the position you are in where you can spend time with your own kids.

Enjoy it! It IS okay!!

The parents might be sad about losing you as their provider but they WILL be fine. You could always offer to do drop in care now and then if it really bothers you that you won't see the kids anymore.

You could also be a substitute for other child cares in your area if you still wanted to be involved.

Bottom line though is doing what is best for your family.

Your kids will never get this time back so being able to spend time with them without daycare kids will be priceless and not something everyone can do but I'm sure would love to!

I say give notice now so families have a chance to find alternate care.

They WILL be sad but once it's all over and done with, they will be happy for you and this opportunity.

[Crazy8]

I would give notice ASAP - I would have given at least 30 days - especially if you are not in a dire position that might affect you if people find other arrangements sooner.

I am sooo envious of your situation I couldn't even imagine feeling bad - sorry but you are living my dream!! Your dc families will be fine, they will find other care and move on, you need to focus on what you are doing for your own family!

[originalkat]

How EXCITING!!!happyface It may be hard during the transition phase and surely when you give notice to your parents, but they will all be fine and move on with fond memories of you and your program. If they are long term clients I am sure they will also be happy for you and this new opportunity. I would give notice now so they have time to find a place without too much rush. 2 weeks is pretty short (especially since you will not be needing your income anymore.) Enjoy this new season of your life!

[llpa]

Congrats and good luck!!happyface I, too, would give notice now. Not to worry tho! I think you will be happy about this when all is said and done. Take time for your family, regroup! You never know what good things are on your horizon!

[e.j.]

Now I am worried about telling the parents and sad that I will not be seeing the kids (some of them). I also feel selfish for not continuing to care for these kids; all of my kids have been with me for 3 years or more.
I need to hear that it is okay- even good- to close and focus on my own kids. That these families will be okay without me (that sounds so egotistical, not my intent), and that the parents will not be mad at me or if they are, that I am not wrong.
My last day would be June 27 – when would you give notice? My contract requires 2 weeks. Does it soften the closure if I give more notice?
Thanks!

You are ending one phase of your life and entering a new one. No need to feel bad. You're not wrong for doing what you feel is best for your family.
If you don't need the income, I'd give notice by the end of this week and if possible, I'd try to provide a list of local providers who might have openings. If you can't afford to lose families just yet, going by your contract and giving the 2 weeks notice you agreed to give should be fine. Parents may be sad (or mad) but that's not something you have any control over. They'll adjust and life will go on. Hopefully, they'll be happy for you and not give you any grief. I would guess that after the initial shock, most will probably be happy for you.

For those kids you will miss, I would let the parents know how much you love them and ask for updates now and then. I still get Christmas cards from families I had years ago. It's wonderful to see how much they've grown year to year. If you enjoyed the entire family, you could even mention that you'd like to stay in touch socially. If the kids are the same age as your own, you may see them at school functions during the school year.

Good luck and congratulations!

[Soccermom]

They will be fine....but I know how hard it is, I am going through the same type of thing right now.

We feel too responsible for these children but the reality is that most of the DCFs don't care even a little bit about the well being of our children so why do we care so much about the well being of theirs?

I lie awake at night worrying about how upset the families will be and how much I hope they can find someone they like to take care of their kids but one of my kids can have a serious affliction and nobody even gives it a second thought (Other than to worry if I am still going to be able to take their kid the next day...)

[cheerfuldom]

I think once you are done with daycare, you will LOVE your time free from it and time with your kids. You will quickly forget your hesitation in closing. I wouldnt give more than a months notice. And I wouldnt worry at all about the kids or parents. They WILL find something quickly and even if they are mad you are closing, you aren't doing anything wrong. Everyone takes the chance to better their family's situation and you can bet that the parents would drop you in a second if they found a better situation, like free care. Even if they are mad, they would do the same thing if given the opportunity. I know I would quit in a second if I could and I do care about my families and do my job well.

[misslori50]

We are also closing. I felt awful about it. I gave them a month and it has turned out good. they have all found other care and it has been such a relief to have it done.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would give notice ASAP - I would have given at least 30 days - especially if you are not in a dire position that might affect you if people find other arrangements sooner.

I am sooo envious of your situation I couldn't even imagine feeling bad - sorry but you are living my dream!! Your dc families will be fine, they will find other care and move on, you need to focus on what you are doing for your own family!

Amen!

[misslori50]

They will be fine....but I know how hard it is, I am going through the same type of thing right now.

We feel too responsible for these children but the reality is that most of the DCFs don't care even a little bit about the well being of our children so why do we care so much about the well being of theirs?

I lie awake at night worrying about how upset the families will be and how much I hope they can find someone they like to take care of their kids but one of my kids can have a serious affliction and nobody even gives it a second thought (Other than to worry if I am still going to be able to take their kid the next day...)

I too was really concerned about telling my familes. I gave them a month and everyone stayed to the end. They were alll very sad but once I told them it was a huge relief. It is the last week here and I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!

[2 young 2 feel this old]

Gave Notice

I finished giving notice yesterday (some dck's were off Mon, Tue) all of the families were very gracious, all said they would miss me but they understood. I still have those mixed feelings about seeing the kids leave but when I envision our family 6 months down the road I get excited. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and well wishes.

[JoseyJo]

I finished giving notice yesterday (some dck's were off Mon, Tue) all of the families were very gracious, all said they would miss me but they understood. I still have those mixed feelings about seeing the kids leave but when I envision our family 6 months down the road I get excited. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and well wishes.

We closed the end of December and I have never, ever regretted it. Not even for 1 moment!

The families will move on quickly- even the ones you think will keep in touch probably wont (and maybe some you don't think will!). I miss kiddos sometimes but I NEVER miss the drama, parents, having to keep my house constantly perfect, regulations, and did I mention drama?

Good luck and enjoy your family time!!!

[NaptimesMyFav]

Closing.... what to do?

I've been doing home daycare for not quite a year but I'm figuring out it's not for me. Now we are expecting our third child in July and I've been thinking I will stick it out til then, and after the baby comes close. I was just wondering how you guys think is the best way to go about notifying families. I was already planning on taking six weeks off for maternity leave and am going to let them know when I schedule my c section around 30 weeks. They will be responsible for finding care during that time. I've also been thinking that beginning in june I will probably close on Fridays for the last 5 or 6 weeks because dr appointments will be getting more frequent by then and I usually only have on. Friday anyway. I was wondering if it would be ok to wait and tell them the week before I go on maternity leave to let them know I won't be opening back up. They will already have six weeks worth of care arrangements made and will have plenty of time to find permanent care for after that. Just wondering what you all thought?