Must...stay...strong!

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

So I've got 2 spots to fill. And I'd so very much like to, PRONTO! But I don't want to take just anyone just so I will have the spots filled. Thus far I have turned away:

1) Teacher family with 3yo and 4yo. I am not going to give up 25% of my income for 12 weeks of the year to save THEM money. No way. The mom snorted at my pro-rated weekly rate.

2) Family with 3yo and newborn. I already have 2 babies, and with their ages I could add another, but it would be so tough for the first 5 months or so.

3) Family with 1yo and almost 3yo. But they "need" hours 6:45-5:15. Originally asked for 6:30-5:30, but when I commented that was really long hours, the mom said they could shorten it a tad. No thanks. Still way too early for me.

So I've got to stay strong and hold out for something perfect. It has been only 2 days, but I get so antsy when it comes to a short paycheck. This part of daycare ****-diddly-ucks!

[midaycare]

Wow - congrats on it only being 2 days and turning away 3 clients. That is great news, at least. You will fill your slots with the right people, I am sure.

I have been 2 weeks without 3 of my full time kids and I am just now starting to get calls for interviews. Talk about a drastic dip in income!

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

Whoa, Miday. That is painful. I'm sorry. I hope your interviews go well, and those spots fill SOON!

Around here, I see about 2 inquiries a week for care. However, so many of them expect me to watch their kids for at least 9.5 hours per day, all the while maintaining all licensing and food program regulations (unless it's an inconvenience to them), keep my play areas looking clean/cute/professional at all times, keep *myself* looking clean/cute/professional at all times, cater to all age groups including a preschool curriculum, and pay a rate that is close to $100 per week.

[Blackcat31]

It IS hard to hold out for the right ones but in the long run it is SOOOO worth it.

I have gotten a ton of inquiries lately for all sorts of hours/ages.

It used to be a lot of infants around this time of year but lately it is all ages but hours are not ones that are easily accommodated.

Most the issues parents here have are they either want "specialized care" for pennies or they want varying days of the week but don't want to pay for that flexibility. (usually because grandma or neighbor are helping out 1-3 days a week for free)

I am full with a waitlist but I still interview just because you never know.

Just today, I had a lady call that wanted care for her infant beginning in September) when the topic of a holding fee came up said she planned on having her older child (age 9) attend daycare in the infants space so that it would for sure be held for her and that way she would get her money's worth by being able to use care she would have to pay for.

I actually laughed outloud at this and I'm pretty sure she heard it....

I told her I didn't take school age kids.....she said she knew but I wouldn't technically have to enroll her 9 yr old because he was only holding the space ) therefore I wouldn't be "taking" him on as a regularly enrolled child.

I then told her I didn't take infants either unless they were a sibling of a family I currently had in care.

That's when she told me "Yeah, my son (the SA'er) would be the sibling in care"

My next reply was, "I'm sorry but I dont have any spaces available at the moment but thank you for calling." ::

[midaycare]

Most the issues parents here have are they either want "specialized care" for pennies or they want varying days of the week but don't want to pay for that flexibility. (usually because grandma or neighbor are helping out 1-3 days a week for free)

This. Parents get a lot of help from grandparents and family around here, and then want to pay me next to nothing for 1-3 days of the week. Sorry!

[e.j.]

It IS hard to hold out for the right ones but in the long run it is SOOOO worth it.

I have gotten a ton of inquiries lately for all sorts of hours/ages.

It used to be a lot of infants around this time of year but lately it is all ages but hours are not ones that are easily accommodated.

Most the issues parents here have are they either want "specialized care" for pennies or they want varying days of the week but don't want to pay for that flexibility. (usually because grandma or neighbor are helping out 1-3 days a week for free)

I am full with a waitlist but I still interview just because you never know.

Just today, I had a lady call that wanted care for her infant beginning in September) when the topic of a holding fee came up said she planned on having her older child (age 9) attend daycare in the infants space so that it would for sure be held for her and that way she would get her money's worth by being able to use care she would have to pay for.

I actually laughed outloud at this and I'm pretty sure she heard it....

I told her I didn't take school age kids.....she said she knew but I wouldn't technically have to enroll her 9 yr old because he was only holding the space ) therefore I wouldn't be "taking" him on as a regularly enrolled child.

I then told her I didn't take infants either unless they were a sibling of a family I currently had in care.

That's when she told me "Yeah, my son (the SA'er) would be the sibling in care"

My next reply was, "I'm sorry but I dont have any spaces available at the moment but thank you for calling." ::

I don't know if I'm laughing harder at the conversation you had with this woman or at my son's comments as I read your post out loud to him. It's good to know he gets it. If he ever has kids, he'll make a great dcd for some provider! ::