Lost 5 DCK today.....are you kidding me?!

[Christina72684]

I can't remember the last time we lost a kid. I take that back, a few weeks ago one stopped coming because she was a foster child who went back to her parents. That's fine, totally understandable. At 3:00pm a mom came and got her 3 boys (1 FT and 2 AS) and said she lost her CCDF (government assistance) and has to quit her job bc she can't afford daycare. At 5:00pm a preschool mom said next Friday is his last day (our packet says 2 weeks notice, so I guess I gotta grow a pair and tell her we must have 2 weeks, not 1) because she found somewhere cheaper and closer (according to their address on file they live less than 5 miles away. Then at 5:30pm we lost an 8 month old who we've had just a few months because supposedly dad's work changed and he can stay home now. We asked if there was anything we did wrong/she didn't like. She said a few little things like the fact that her daughter had the same hot wheels car in her mouth at pick up two days in a row. Seriously? We clean the toys at least once a day, and it's not like she can choke on it.

I'm just so upset. That's $445/week that we're losing. Plus the $110 from the one we lost earlier this month makes $555/week! Thankfully we're getting one new full time on Monday, 2 new preschool only in 2 weeks, and just got 2 part time kids this week, but that's only $390/week so we're still negative $165/week. We were hoping that all these new kids meant more money and we could start saving, not going backwards.

This is what I HATE about this job.....

[KiddieCahoots]

I'm sorry. :hug:
The revolving door of day care stinks!

[daycare]

Oh mY I am so sorry to hear this.

I recall that being my life a few years ago. I would just fill up and then I was given a notice...... repeat repeat repeat.....

Just keep your chin up...they came before, they will come again....

[NeedaVaca]

I can't remember the last time we lost a kid. I take that back, a few weeks ago one stopped coming because she was a foster child who went back to her parents. That's fine, totally understandable. At 3:00pm a mom came and got her 3 boys (1 FT and 2 AS) and said she lost her CCDF (government assistance) and has to quit her job bc she can't afford daycare. At 5:00pm a preschool mom said next Friday is his last day (our packet says 2 weeks notice, so I guess I gotta grow a pair and tell her we must have 2 weeks, not 1) because she found somewhere cheaper and closer (according to their address on file they live less than 5 miles away. Then at 5:30pm we lost an 8 month old who we've had just a few months because supposedly dad's work changed and he can stay home now. We asked if there was anything we did wrong/she didn't like. She said a few little things like the fact that her daughter had the same hot wheels car in her mouth at pick up two days in a row. Seriously? We clean the toys at least once a day, and it's not like she can choke on it.

I'm just so upset. That's $445/week that we're losing. Plus the $110 from the one we lost earlier this month makes $555/week! Thankfully we're getting one new full time on Monday, 2 new preschool only in 2 weeks, and just got 2 part time kids this week, but that's only $390/week so we're still negative $165/week. We were hoping that all these new kids meant more money and we could start saving, not going backwards.

This is what I HATE about this job.....

Wow, that's a lot all at once Hope you fill up again quickly!

The 8 month with hot wheels though...mom probably was concerned about choking hazards-they have a much higher age limit for that reason (age3 +). The wheels can come off pretty easy.

[Blackcat31]

Sorry you are losing so many at once.

Since you are a center, I would think about having the parents pay some sort of deposit equal to two weeks worth (or a month) payment so that when they do give notice, you are at least able to just apply their deposit to the last weeks of attendance. Beats having to have the money discussion with a family that is leaving.

Also, didn't you mention a while back that another local center in your area closed and that you don't have a hard time finding kids where you are at?

If that is the case, then you are lucky that you'll be able to fill those empty spots easily.


That part of this business does **** but I won't lie and say it stops happening. Turn over will always be a part of this job.

It still ****s but it happens.

Like I said, I hope you fill your spaces quickly!!

[Josiegirl]

Wow, that's a lot all in a day. I hope it turns around quickly for you and your spaces fill up!

[CraftyMom]

I read the title and I thought you actually LOST 5 dcks As in couldn't find them anywhere or they went outside and wandered off!

Phew! That would have been a mess ::

[Childminder]

I so feel your pain. Last September I lost 5 kids to free preschool and I didn't fill up again till July. Then the first week of August I lost seven. In one week. Mom of three lost her job, one moved, two had there grandma move in with them, and one just never showed up for care even after deposit was paid.

I'm starting to get calls and new kids so maybe can see an end of the tunnel but certainly will not get too excited. Over the years this business has highs and lows but never a low like the past three years.

On a positive note this time of year seems to be the best to get children.

[midaycare]

:hug: Sorry you had such a rough day. That is a lot of kids to lose. It is a great sign that you just picked up 2 part time kids.

[daycarediva]

I feel bad doing this, but I admit, I don't try to take sibling sets for this reason.

I never advertise two spaces (even though I may have two open eg. SA and FT under 5)

and if I can AT ALL avoid sibs, I do. Not only for the loss of income if they pull suddenly, but I have 4 kids and they fight like cats and dogs if I put them in a room together all day. ::

[CraftyMom]

I feel bad doing this, but I admit, I don't try to take sibling sets for this reason.

I never advertise two spaces (even though I may have two open eg. SA and FT under 5)

and if I can AT ALL avoid sibs, I do. Not only for the loss of income if they pull suddenly, but I have 4 kids and they fight like cats and dogs if I put them in a room together all day. ::

Yes me too! The loss of income stinks and the siblings I've had were the worst behaved because they fought all day

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I feel bad doing this, but I admit, I don't try to take sibling sets for this reason.

I never advertise two spaces (even though I may have two open eg. SA and FT under 5)

and if I can AT ALL avoid sibs, I do. Not only for the loss of income if they pull suddenly, but I have 4 kids and they fight like cats and dogs if I put them in a room together all day. ::

I am exactly the same way.

[e.j.]

I can't remember the last time we lost a kid. I take that back, a few weeks ago one stopped coming because she was a foster child who went back to her parents. That's fine, totally understandable. At 3:00pm a mom came and got her 3 boys (1 FT and 2 AS) and said she lost her CCDF (government assistance) and has to quit her job bc she can't afford daycare. At 5:00pm a preschool mom said next Friday is his last day (our packet says 2 weeks notice, so I guess I gotta grow a pair and tell her we must have 2 weeks, not 1) because she found somewhere cheaper and closer (according to their address on file they live less than 5 miles away. Then at 5:30pm we lost an 8 month old who we've had just a few months because supposedly dad's work changed and he can stay home now. We asked if there was anything we did wrong/she didn't like. She said a few little things like the fact that her daughter had the same hot wheels car in her mouth at pick up two days in a row. Seriously? We clean the toys at least once a day, and it's not like she can choke on it.

I'm just so upset. That's $445/week that we're losing. Plus the $110 from the one we lost earlier this month makes $555/week! Thankfully we're getting one new full time on Monday, 2 new preschool only in 2 weeks, and just got 2 part time kids this week, but that's only $390/week so we're still negative $165/week. We were hoping that all these new kids meant more money and we could start saving, not going backwards.

This is what I HATE about this job.....

Oooh, that's rough, especially coming all at once and unexpectedly. I'm losing 5 this year, too, but I at least had some warning since 4 of them are heading off to Kindergarten and I knew one was only temporary when she was signed up. Losing kids/income really is one of the toughest aspects of this job.

I hope you're able to fill your openings soon. Maybe the new families will love your program so much that they'll refer others to you and you'll be full before you know it.

[Crystal]

Wow, that's a lot all at once Hope you fill up again quickly!

The 8 month with hot wheels though...mom probably was concerned about choking hazards-they have a much higher age limit for that reason (age3 +). The wheels can come off pretty easy.