2.5 month leave

[daycare]

One of my golden highest paying families just informed me that they will be going to their home county for about 2.5 months.

Normally I will require 50% of their rate to be paid to hold their spot for up to one month only....They have two kids enrolled FT.

That would mean that they would still have to pay almost $2500+ for me to hold their spot. The DCM mentioned that they want to do this now before older child starts school. Then went on to say that they will enroll them in childcare over there if they can. This DCM does not work.

I told her that I would need to think about it. It kind of stinks because it will be around xmas time and I will be out a big chunk of change.

What would you offer this family? they have been with me for a little over 3 years.

[TwinKristi]

Either she pays for the spot or she doesn't. You're taking a huge hit just holding those spots for free or really anything less than what you charge now. Fill their spots for 2.5 mos and see how things look when they come back. If you're happy with you current crew tell her sorry. If you would rather have those 2 back then term the 2 you don't want to keep or perhaps something else happens. I don't know. If you can afford to take a hit, figure out how low you can go but be prepared to fill the spots. Maybe explain you have a waiting list and if she doesn't come and doesn't pay for the spot you "need" to fill the spot to maintain your ideal ratio that allows for things to run smoothly. It IS a business after all. If she's willing to pay 50% and you can afford 50% then offer that. Otherwise fill the spots while she's gone and re-assess. With having 2 kids and being in your care 3 years, are 1 or both getting close to aging out? If you want them back when they come back make the choice then, but for now do what YOU need to do.

[daycare]

Either she pays for the spot or she doesn't. You're taking a huge hit just holding those spots for free or really anything less than what you charge now. Fill their spots for 2.5 mos and see how things look when they come back. If you're happy with you current crew tell her sorry. If you would rather have those 2 back then term the 2 you don't want to keep or perhaps something else happens. I don't know. If you can afford to take a hit, figure out how low you can go but be prepared to fill the spots. Maybe explain you have a waiting list and if she doesn't come and doesn't pay for the spot you "need" to fill the spot to maintain your ideal ratio that allows for things to run smoothly. It IS a business after all. If she's willing to pay 50% and you can afford 50% then offer that. Otherwise fill the spots while she's gone and re-assess. With having 2 kids and being in your care 3 years, are 1 or both getting close to aging out? If you want them back when they come back make the choice then, but for now do what YOU need to do.

good point.......they are just a great family which are really hard to find. I think we all know that...

The older one this will be his last year.

I don't want to replace them.

[TwinKristi]

If they're a great family and appreciate what you do and want to secure the spot when they back they should allocate $2500 for their Preschool while they're on vacation.
Maybe see what they propose? They knew it was going to be at least 50% since that's in your contract right? Maybe 75%? Have a number in mind that you can live with to not have to replace them but not take a huge hit.

Do you have a waiting list? Maybe offer some people the spot for 2.5 mos knowing it's temporary and see if they want to do that. Not likely but worth a shot.

[Cat Herder]

Clarification:

They only have to pay 50% for one month and the other 1.5 months is free for them at your expense (beyond the 50% you are already losing ).

or

They have to pay 50% for one month and full rate for the next 1.5 months.

or

Something else entirely.

[Crazy8]

I would give them 2 options…. pay upfront the 50% for one month and full rate for the other month and a half OR they can terminate care and lose their space entirely.

If I really liked a family and could afford it I would maybe offer them to pay half rate (up front) for the entire length of their trip.

[Blackcat31]

I don't think liking or not liking a family should have any bearing on policy rules.

I have never heard of any place that conducts business do so on an emotional level, kwim?

When we write our policies we don't say, this rule will apply to all families I don't really like but I will have a separate rule for those families that I do like.

I know we (as humans) allow our emotional side to affect our decisions but just like we want all families to follow our rules based on the fact that a rule is a rule means we have to do the same as business owners.

If I were you, I would try to fill the space. Start advertising now. If the family isn't willing to pay the required fees then you'll have another family lined up to take their place. If they come back and the new family isn't so great...then you can always take the old family back but I certainly wouldn't guarantee anything to them unless they pay to hold the space per your contract.

Also, I bet they aren't asking their mortgage company or their city assessor to reduce their mortgage payments or property tax payments because they wont be using their home/property while they are gone.

Seems child care costs/obligations are the only things parents view as a "negotiable"

[BrooklynM]

I don't think liking or not liking a family should have any bearing on policy rules.

I have never heard of any place that conducts business do so on an emotional level, kwim?

When we write our policies we don't say, this rule will apply to all families I don't really like but I will have a separate rule for those families that I do like.

I know we (as humans) allow our emotional side to affect our decisions but just like we want all families to follow our rules based on the fact that a rule is a rule means we have to do the same as business owners.

If I were you, I would try to fill the space. Start advertising now. If the family isn't willing to pay the required fees then you'll have another family lined up to take their place. If they come back and the new family isn't so great...then you can always take the old family back but I certainly wouldn't guarantee anything to them unless they pay to hold the space per your contract.

Also, I bet they aren't asking their mortgage company or their city assessor to reduce their mortgage payments or property tax payments because they wont be using their home/property while they are gone.

Seems child care costs/obligations are the only things parents view as a "negotiable"

I agree. If the mom doesn't work and they can afford childcare, they may be able to afford to pay to hold the spot. I have one like that now where the mom doesn't really work but she helps her husband out and she will bring the DCB over to me. I save a spot for them because they take care of me...$$$$. They are wealthy, I love their child and they make it very much worth my while- on top of payment, they have given me multiple gift cards, she has sent me toys from Amazon, she always brings a bunch of organic fruit over and just makes me feel appreciated. They value my time and respect my boundaries, to me that is the most important thing when dealing with parents. If they value you then they will understand and pay you what you are WORTH.

[daycare]

I don't think liking or not liking a family should have any bearing on policy rules.

I have never heard of any place that conducts business do so on an emotional level, kwim?

When we write our policies we don't say, this rule will apply to all families I don't really like but I will have a separate rule for those families that I do like.

I know we (as humans) allow our emotional side to affect our decisions but just like we want all families to follow our rules based on the fact that a rule is a rule means we have to do the same as business owners.

If I were you, I would try to fill the space. Start advertising now. If the family isn't willing to pay the required fees then you'll have another family lined up to take their place. If they come back and the new family isn't so great...then you can always take the old family back but I certainly wouldn't guarantee anything to them unless they pay to hold the space per your contract.

Also, I bet they aren't asking their mortgage company or their city assessor to reduce their mortgage payments or property tax payments because they wont be using their home/property while they are gone.

Seems child care costs/obligations are the only things parents view as a "negotiable"

Its not emotional at all. I worked in sales for years before this and I was always taught that if a customer is going to leave, do what you can to save the account to an extent. Some money is better than no money.

It will cost me more in the long run to replace them than to keep them

[Cat Herder]

It will cost me more in the long run to replace them than to keep them

How? :confused:

[AmyKidsCo]

Honestly, I'd try to replace them. 2.5 months is a LONG time and there's no guarantee that they'll come back. What if they get a better job offer there? What if their family needs them to stay?

I held 3 FT spots (including a high-demand infant spot) without pay over a summer for a teacher family, then right before school started they told me they had transportation issues so they were taking the kids somewhere else. I learned my lesson the hard way!

If you end up not being able to enroll other children and they do come back, they can reenroll.

[daycare]

How? :confused:

because filling spots here is like finding a needle in a hay stack, in my area there are preschools and daycares on every corner. PLUS around the holidays no one is normally looking for care, so I will be out money if I let them go, vs keeping them and having them pay 50% for the entire time they are gone.

Sorry super busy day today with evaluations.

I am basically saying should I let them take the 50% pay cut for the entire time they are gone vs. getting 1 month at 50% and the other at full price?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

because filling spots here is like finding a needle in a hay stack, in my area there are preschools and daycares on every corner. PLUS around the holidays no one is normally looking for care, so I will be out money if I let them go, vs keeping them and having them pay 50% for the entire time they are gone.

Sorry super busy day today with evaluations.

I am basically saying should I let them take the 50% pay cut for the entire time they are gone vs. getting 1 month at 50% and the other at full price?

The answer that benefits your business is bolded so I would push for that. 50% less than what you are used to making is going to really effect your bill paying.

[NeedaVaca]

Did she actually ask you for a discount? If not, I would stick with policy and see what they say. If they aren't happy and you want to offer a discount how about just 50% first month for both and 25% off each child the 2nd month and a half? I always think you should negotiate high and then work your way lower versus giving the lowest offer first.

[Cat Herder]

because filling spots here is like finding a needle in a hay stack, in my area there are preschools and daycares on every corner. PLUS around the holidays no one is normally looking for care, so I will be out money if I let them go, vs keeping them and having them pay 50% for the entire time they are gone.

Sorry super busy day today with evaluations.

I am basically saying should I let them take the 50% pay cut for the entire time they are gone vs. getting 1 month at 50% and the other at full price?

OK, of the two options I'd go with option B.

I'd also start looking for a way to fill up my wait list.... What is the number one reason that people leave daycares in your area? How can you market to that?