Increase of Fees Issue

[Butter Biskets]

I have no advice to add but did want to say that wasn't the smartest move on her part, asking on FB, knowing you'd see it, plus telling you. Did she intend to intimidate you into changing the rates back for just her? Came back to bite her in the butt. Glad you didn't cave!!

Haha, EXACTLY!!

[TwinKristi]

I have in my contract that I require 2wks notice for their canceling but I can terminate immediately. It may not seem "fair" but you don't want to be stuck dealing with people who are angry and unhappy any longer than you have to! I would give her a week's notice max (or however much she's prepaid you) and take on the new family ASAP. She told you twice she was leaving so you're just making this easier for everyone. Act as if you're doing her a favor by allowing her to find cheaper care sooner! LOL

It is awkward and I've only had to do it once but I did it and made it through just fine! Good luck!!

[Blackcat31]

When you do give notice add a clause that says if she is disrespectful or tries to cause any issues during the final month of care you (the provider) reserve the right to terminate her immediately.

You don't want to be dealing with some crazy mom for a whole month while caring for other kids.

Make sure you leave yourself that out.

[Cradle2crayons]

When you do give notice add a clause that says if she is disrespectful or tries to cause any issues during the final month of care you (the provider) reserve the right to terminate her immediately.

You don't want to be dealing with some crazy mom for a whole month while caring for other kids.

Make sure you leave yourself that out.

this exactly.....

I give a two weeks written notice if things are ending amicably. If there is a huge behavior issue of a child that nothing has improved or there is a disrespect issue from the parents, or if there is a balance they haven't paid within a certain time frame, I reserve the right to term IMMEDIATELY. Since some of my parents used to pay AHEAD for care, at the time I give them two weeks notice, I require they pay both final weeks on the first day of care on Monday at drop off. I have it in my contract very detailed.

All of my current families paid a two week deposit up front before care started which pays for their last two weeks of care at termination or etc.


Something along the lines of.... "Dear dcm, this is your two week written notice for termination of our childcare contract. Tuition in the amount of $$$ is due no later than xxxxxx or late fees in the amount of $$$ will be due and payable. I wish you good luck in finding care that fits little Johnny perfectly."

Sincerely, provider.

If it gets ugly, I hand me an immediate termination letter and have their child's stuff packed and ready to go at pickup.

[Mister Sir Husband]

Oh absolutely...I had an employee of mine at a previous job tell me he needed an afternoon off cause.. "he had a job interview". I replaced him a week later.

[Kiki123]

Good for you!!happyface You took control of the situation and didn't let her term when she wanted to leaving you high and dry until you filled their spot.

[midaycare]

Did you tell her this morning? I'm curious how it went ...

[WAHMderful_Life]

Doing it when she picks up the kids tonight that way she gets to go home after instead of giving her the news before work.

Still nervous about it though since I have no idea how the News is going to be received by her. Made it worse that At drop off she had told me about her bad weekend. I have to keep telling myself this is business not personal and I have a New family ready to take the spots which Im looking fwd to.

[TaylorTots]

"DCM, since you said you would be leaving due to the fee increase, your last day of care will be on XX/XX/XXXX. I have already filled the vacant spots. Thanks,"

When she argues I would just say "The spots have already been filled. You cannot stay. As our contract requires, I am giving you a month notice. If you find care before the month is up you are still responsible for the entire month's fees."

The best way to handle a termination is to be all business and cold honestly. If the parent sees a weakness or thinks you aren't concrete and firm they usually argue and want a zillion explanations.

[WAHMderful_Life]

Thank you : ) Im going to try and use that, if I don't get all tongue tide from my nervousness

[llpa]

She basically gave you notice :: so just tell her that since she mentioned that she would be looking for care somewhere else you went ahead and took on another client and that you are giving her a notice. She created this situation and now has to deal w it. Good for you!!

[TheGoodLife]

Good luck!! (I still hope you don't commit to a month, though- 2 weeks is enough!) happyface happyface happyface

[WAHMderful_Life]

Well that ****ed...not that I wasn't prepared for it.

As I kinda figured she would say the following: She only looked once and found that there wasn't anything that would work better. How can you fill spots that aren't available/full already. How can you do this to me as I felt we have become more then just daycare interaction but friends. What am I suppose to do quiet my job, loose my house, live in a cardboard box. I only said I would look for other care cause I was Mad at the fee increase. I would never have thought you could do something like this.

She made it really clear that she couldn't understand how I can fill the spots since they are not available at the time. And She was going to give me my one months notice to fill the spots if she found something else.

And yes I gave her a month. I also told her most centres only give two weeks but as I ask for a month I am willing to give a month as well. For the most part there hasn't been issues with this family until the increasing of fees. If things go bad from here my new family can start as soon as the spots open.

[Josiegirl]

Well, she shouldn't have acted like a little kid, had her temper tantrum in front of you and said anything then, should she?? Maybe she learned something? And yes, you can and DID fill her spots. Hasn't she been losing you 300 a month because you were being nice to her(Or was that someone else?).
I'm glad you stayed strong! Even if you feel yourself shaking in your boots, put on your act of strength and make it through the next month, then you get to do a bye-bye dance.
Plus this is your business and you can give anyone a notice plus fill their spots. They will be gone when the new family starts. ****s to be her.

[KidGrind]

Well that ****ed...not that I wasn't prepared for it.

As I kinda figured she would say the following: She only looked once and found that there wasn't anything that would work better. How can you fill spots that aren't available/full already. How can you do this to me as I felt we have become more then just daycare interaction but friends. What am I suppose to do quiet my job, loose my house, live in a cardboard box. I only said I would look for other care cause I was Mad at the fee increase. I would never have thought you could do something like this.

She made it really clear that she couldn't understand how I can fill the spots since they are not available at the time. And She was going to give me my one months notice to fill the spots if she found something else.

And yes I gave her a month. I also told her most centres only give two weeks but as I ask for a month I am willing to give a month as well. For the most part there hasn't been issues with this family until the increasing of fees. If things go bad from here my new family can start as soon as the spots open.

Where there violins playing in the background?

I don’t understand how parents think they can spurt out anything and everything to us and we’re just going to take it.

Anytime a parent has a meltdown I literally say, “I need you to get a grip. If you are unhappy…” The repeat offenders know what comes next. So they interrupt me and say, “We are very happy here. Blah, blah, blah…"