Saying No nicely

[TheGoodLife]

Parents,

Provider provided formula, milk, diapers, baby wipes are strictly for the daycare use on the premises. Please prepare properly if you have plans after pick-up and will not be going home immediately.

As of August 18, 2014, I am offering a specialized on-the-go service fee of $5 per item request. The fee must be paid in cash at the time of the request. Items will not be given on credit.

Bottle request - $5
Diaper request -$5
Snack request - $5
Juice request - $5

The on-the-go service fee is based off the recent high demand in parents’ request for on the go items. I am happy to offer the service due to the high demand.

Thank you,

Your On-Stop-Shop Provider

I like this wording too, if you do go with a letter.

[CraftyMom]

Parents,

Provider provided formula, milk, diapers, baby wipes are strictly for the daycare use on the premises. Please prepare properly if you have plans after pick-up and will not be going home immediately.

Just this.

Let them know you WILL NOT do it.

IMO adding in a fee gives them the option to continue using your supplies which is still rude and annoying no matter how much the pay for it.

I think I would be MORE annoyed knowing that they would be more willing to pay a fee than to just be prepared for their own child!

You wouldn't let a kid go home with a toy for the ride home, why allow a cup to leave your house? (which probably won't get returned)

[Play Care]

Just this.

Let them know you WILL NOT do it.

IMO adding in a fee gives them the option to continue using your supplies which is still rude and annoying no matter how much the pay for it.

I think I would be MORE annoyed knowing that they would be more willing to pay a fee than to just be prepared for their own child!

You wouldn't let a kid go home with a toy for the ride home, why allow a cup to leave your house? (which probably won't get returned)

I agree. You already have a problem saying no, so attaching a fee gives you one more thing to have to enforce. Make it easy for you. "Sorry, DCM, I don't give supplies for the road!" What parents do after dc hours should not be your problem.

[KidGrind]

I can say no.

However, I prefer to collect money for a service than a no. I’ve learned from this site and specifically NannyDe that attaching a fee curbs parents from asking.

Some parents are pushers. They don’t mind hearing no. Those same parents will stop dead in their tracks of asking once you place a fee on it. I acknowledge some will just pay the fee. So all I advise is if the provider is willing to provide a service then charge the fee. If providing the service irks their soul then just say no.

I am not a provider to make parents happy. I am a provider to provider to provide a healthy & safe environment to children while their parents are at work, school or cuddling up with their mattress.

[Play Care]

I can say no.

However, I prefer to collect money for a service than a no. I’ve learned from this site and specifically NannyDe that attaching a fee curbs parents from asking.

Some parents are pushers. They don’t mind hearing no. Those same parents will stop dead in their tracks of asking once you place a fee on it. I acknowledge some will just pay the fee. So all I advise is if the provider is willing to provide a service then charge the fee. If providing the service irks their soul then just say no.

I am not a provider to make parents happy. I am a provider to provider to provide a healthy & safe environment to children while their parents are at work, school or cuddling up with their mattress.

But the OP says she DOES have a problem saying no. In her case I can see where attaching a fee would be one more thing she'd have to enforce - and it ending badly. I have no problem saying no either. I also have no problem telling Pushy McPusherson to knock off asking me that same question. I told a client just recently that they needed to never ask me a certain question again as the answer was not going to change regardless of how many times they asked, and it was likely to cause them to lose their day care.