WWYD: Indecisive DCM

**Unregistered** · 08-19-2014, 07:59 AM

I would give her notice today.She is probably wanting you to term so she doesn't have to pay the two week notice.Make her pay anyway and fill his spot as soon as you can!Like today!

**KSDC** · 08-19-2014, 08:07 AM

It would depend on how the family has been other than this. And, if you term the one boy, they may pull the rest of the children. You have to decide if you are willing to risk losing the siblings...

**Unregistered** · 08-19-2014, 08:55 AM

I am a lurker mostly, but I just had to chime in... This mom is being a flake, but my second son just started kindergarten, and I'm having a surprisingly hard time with it. Much harder than my first son. I didn't expect it, and I've been in tears for 2 weeks over it.

So, maybe force her hand to make a decision? But she probably didn't expect to have a hard time with the second one going to "big school," either. I was totally caught off guard.

**MarinaVanessa** · 08-19-2014, 09:19 AM

Are you charging her for DCB even though he's attending the other DC? I would. She TEXTED you yesterday and told you that DCB would be staying then took DCB to the other preschool anyway. If you charge a flat weekly rate regardless of attendance then she needs to pay for the other DC plus YOUR DC. She made the decision so she needs to pay for that decision.

And I'd talk to her today and tell her that you are still charging her for this week and until she either decides to bring DCB back to your DC or gives you a 2 week notice and then that she is still going to be charge for the 2 week notice as well. You've already talked to her and reminded her that she needs to give you a 2 week notice right? Well then I don't know how much clearer you could be.

If you charge only for days that the kids attend then I would have a 2 week notice ready and after having a talk to her make it clear that she either makes up her mind TODAY or she's getting a 2 week notice. If she won't make up her mind then make it up for her. Sounds like you won't have a hard time finding a replacement anyway.

**taylorw1210** · 08-19-2014, 09:57 AM

She pays weekly - regardless of attendance. He is paid up for the week and I reminded her that if she chooses to pull him and put him in the original pre-k then she would still need to give 2 weeks notice. Yesterday she seemed to think that would just be paying for next week in full, but now it's half way through Tuesday and I still don't know - so she's going to be surprised if she thinks she won't need to pay for a partial week if she gives her notice today.

I am just not thrilled about being jerked around, to be honest. I jumped through hoops to keep a spot open for him by giving notice to other great kids I had (they were PT), had to pull some favors from a daycare mom that works in the school transportation department for all 3 boys to have school transportation to and from the pre-k and my home, and all 3 boys got very excited to go to pre-k together (first time for all 3, they've been playmates for over a year...) via myself and all of their parents - and now she's waffling at the last minute.

**CraftyMom** · 08-19-2014, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by taylorw1210

I am just not thrilled about being jerked around, to be honest. I jumped through hoops to keep a spot open for him by giving notice to other great kids I had (they were PT), had to pull some favors from a daycare mom that works in the school transportation department for all 3 boys to have school transportation to and from the pre-k and my home, and all 3 boys got very excited to go to pre-k together (first time for all 3, they've been playmates for over a year...) via myself and all of their parents - and now she's waffling at the last minute.

I would be telling her all this! (if you haven't already) But it doesn't sound like you have because she thinks it's ok to change her mind and thinks her child's spot is secure. If she doesn't know by pick up today then I would make the decision for her and fill the spot. That's nuts!

**taylorw1210** · 08-19-2014, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by CraftyMom

I would be telling her all this! (if you haven't already) But it doesn't sound like you have because she thinks it's ok to change her mind and thinks her child's spot is secure. If she doesn't know by pick up today then I would make the decision for her and fill the spot. That's nuts!

She DOES know, that's what is also bothering me!

She was kept in the loop when I was dealing with jumping through hoops to secure transportation.

I told her yesterday, when she asked if it would be a problem to "change her mind" (she was asking in regards to me re-filling his spot) that I had to give notice to 2 PT kids to keep her son's spot open, and that I do have a waiting list and would need to start contacting them ASAP so I needed to know by 5pm.

She sent me a text and told me her husband gave the final decision to have him stay, and apologized for her being so nutty.

And then she walked in this morning and he wasn't with her - he was at the half-day "orientation" for the pre-k! And she was like, "I know, my husband is mad at me and L is really confused but we're just going to try it out..." - she knows she needs to give 2 weeks notice. I told her even this morning that I needed to know. The pre-k starts full time TOMORROW. He is literally registered at TWO pre-k's right now - the one starting tomorrow and the public one starting next week.

This is why my head is spinning. I love this family and they are great otherwise - I do not understand why this is such a big issue for her. She already knows she won't be able to afford to send him to that school for kinder next year, and she confirmed this morning that he would be going to public kinder next year... and despite telling me over and over she doesn't want her 3 kids in 3 different places, and the expense of it, blah bah blah - she still cannot manage to give me a direct answer and stick with it.

I want to just make the decision FOR her because I'm annoyed with being in limbo, but I don't want her to feel like I'm pushing her son out, either. I just want a firm and FINAL decision. :confused:

**MarinaVanessa** · 08-19-2014, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by taylorw1210

The pre-k starts full time TOMORROW. He is literally registered at TWO pre-k's right now - the one starting tomorrow and the public one starting next week....She already knows she won't be able to afford to send him to that school for kinder next year, and she confirmed this morning that he would be going to public kinder next year...

Sounds to me like the private school is her "dream school" and she might be willing to take DCB there for preschool because she can afford that but not kinder??? I'm assuming that Kinder is more expensive than the preschool they offer?? Maybe because preschool is shorter days than Kinder??

Is this a full-day private preschool that DCB is going to?

**taylorw1210** · 08-19-2014, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by MV

Sounds to me like the private school is her "dream school" and she might be willing to take DCB there for preschool because she can afford that but not kinder??? I'm assuming that Kinder is more expensive than the preschool they offer?? Maybe because preschool is shorter days than Kinder??

Is this a full-day private preschool that DCB is going to?

Yes, it is a full day private preschool.

He just arrived and she said, "Well, he liked it so I think that's what we're going to do." Meaning - tomorrow he starts there full time. I told her she would need to pay for next week and 2 days of the following week to complete the 2 weeks notice. She just kinda looked confused and said, "Ok" and left.

**daycarediva** · 08-19-2014, 10:53 AM

I would have replaced him the second she spoke up about the private prek. No taking backsies.

I'd have her pay for a FULL two weeks, too. My clients are required to give notice on Friday so the two weeks are M-F M-F, not mid-week.

**taylorw1210** · 08-19-2014, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by daycarediva

I would have replaced him the second she spoke up about the private prek. No taking backsies.

I'd have her pay for a FULL two weeks, too. My clients are required to give notice on Friday so the two weeks are M-F M-F, not mid-week.

I do not have that in my policy handbook. I really need to add that in there because this is the third time that's been a pain for me.

I did draw up a notice of withdrawal form for her and it states the balance she has that is due by this Friday.

**CraftyMom** · 08-19-2014, 11:23 AM

Are her other kids staying with you?

**taylorw1210** · 08-19-2014, 11:56 AM

The older girl is just here during breaks, which I don't believe will be happening anymore after this year because she'll now be a part of an after school program that also runs on breaks.

She has not said anything about the younger dcb leaving - he's only 1.

**MarinaVanessa** · 08-19-2014, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by daycarediva

I'd have her pay for a FULL two weeks, too. My clients are required to give notice on Friday so the two weeks are M-F M-F, not mid-week.

This is how I work it also and I have a termination form that they must fill out that says "This is my 2 week notice of withdrawal" and that the form can only be turned in on Fridays

WWYD: Indecisive DCM

WWYD: Indecisive DCM

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