A Different Kind Of Termination

[Unregistered]

Sunchimes - Thanks for sharing, that's what I'm hoping for! she even said "when your oldest son ages out of licensing requirements I will plan to have another baby so they can come to you!" That's 4 years away so I didn't say anything except thanks for the compliment but it was sweet.

[Unregistered]

I logged out for privacy on this one because I know this is not going to be a popular opinion. That being said, I think it's really lousy to term a family simply to take on another, regardless of the circumstances. I would hate for that to happen to me and I'm sorry, but no I would not be understanding about being dropped so that another infant could come. I don't think that's fair to the family and especially not fair to the infant being let go. Never in 25 years have I done that and even when my daughter was expecting I told her that we would have to see what numbers look like. I wouldn't take on any other infants in that age group and could wait it out a couple of months until her baby could come, but there was no way I would term someone to make room. Not fair and unprofessional in my opinion.

[Blackcat31]

I logged out for privacy on this one because I know this is not going to be a popular opinion. That being said, I think it's really lousy to term a family simply to take on another, regardless of the circumstances. I would hate for that to happen to me and I'm sorry, but no I would not be understanding about being dropped so that another infant could come. I don't think that's fair to the family and especially not fair to the infant being let go. Never in 25 years have I done that and even when my daughter was expecting I told her that we would have to see what numbers look like. I wouldn't take on any other infants in that age group and could wait it out a couple of months until her baby could come, but there was no way I would term someone to make room. Not fair and unprofessional in my opinion.

My two cents....

Fair is where you get cotton candy....

Life is not fair. I don't know why so many people think it needs to be.

Unprofessional? Not in my eyes because part time families KNOW this BEFORE enrolling here.
If they want to secure a space that is GUARANTEED, then they need to pay full time rates for it.

It would be unprofessional if the family had no idea that the possibility of losing their space to a full timer could happen.

There are many businesses that "reward" or "discount" those customers that use the most services. Since child care providers are limited in the number of customers they can have, terming part time or drop in kids to take on a higher paying client is becoming common practice.

It's awesome that you are loyal to your clients and would never term them to make more money but I am not in this business to be loyal to clients, I am in this business to make money to support my family.

Plus, there is RARELY a provider in business that will tell you that their DC families are equally loyal to them. Most clients would switch providers at the drop of a hat if they found a provider willing to offer the same services for less money.

It's okay for parents to do what works best for their wallets but not providers?

That concept ^^^^ makes NO sense to me.

[daycarediva]

My two cents....

Fair is where you get cotton candy....

Life is not fair. I don't know why so many people think it needs to be.

Unprofessional? Not in my eyes because part time families KNOW this BEFORE enrolling here.
If they want to secure a space that is GUARANTEED, then they need to pay full time rates for it.

It would be unprofessional if the family had no idea that the possibility of losing their space to a full timer could happen.

There are many businesses that "reward" or "discount" those customers that use the most services. Since child care providers are limited in the number of customers they can have, terming part time or drop in kids to take on a higher paying client is becoming common practice.

It's awesome that you are loyal to your clients and would never term them to make more money but I am not in this business to be loyal to clients, I am in this business to make money to support my family.

Plus, there is RARELY a provider in business that will tell you that their DC families are equally loyal to them. Most clients would switch providers at the drop of a hat if they found a provider willing to offer the same services for less money.

It's okay for parents to do what works best for their wallets but not providers?

That concept ^^^^ makes NO sense to me.

yes this.

My clients are all aware that FT trumps PT. They are offered the space (honestly, only if I WANT to offer it to them, too.) It's my business and I do what I want with it. If I really don't like Susie Q and her snot nosed caused by teething year round, and I find a family that IS a better fit, why do I have to bite the bullet and continue to care for Susie Q making less money?

[Scribbles]

yes this.

My clients are all aware that FT trumps PT. They are offered the space (honestly, only if I WANT to offer it to them, too.) It's my business and I do what I want with it. If I really don't like Susie Q and her snot nosed caused by teething year round, and I find a family that IS a better fit, why do I have to bite the bullet and continue to care for Susie Q making less money?

I agree with this too and don't feel in any way that it is unprofessional.

I don't understand why someone would think it is unprofessional. As a matter of fact, I think it is MORE professional to do the right thing for everyone (both provider....her business and her sanity and the other families in care) verses just keeping a current client because they are a current client.

That would be more unprofessional in my opinion.

[Unregistered]

My two cents....

Unprofessional? Not in my eyes because part time families KNOW this BEFORE enrolling here.
If they want to secure a space that is GUARANTEED, then they need to pay full time rates for it.

OP's original post doesn't say anything about pt vs. ft. That I could understand. She simply stated that she was dropping one family for another because she wants to work with a friend/relative. I also didn't get the impression that this family was told when they were enrolled that there was a possibility of being replaced. Were they

My two cents....
It would be unprofessional if the family had no idea that the possibility of losing their space to a full timer could happen.

I am thinking the family being let go had no idea this was coming or that there was a possibility that they would be replaced.

It's awesome that you are loyal to your clients and would never term them to make more money but I am not in this business to be loyal to clients, I am in this business to make money to support my family.

Again, original post does not say pt vs pt. And I may have missed it but I didn't see that the op needed to take on a better paying client vs one not paying as much.
[/QUOTE]

[Unregistered]

My last line should say ft vs pt, not pt vs pt

[Unregistered]

I agree with this too and don't feel in any way that it is unprofessional.

I don't understand why someone would think it is unprofessional. As a matter of fact, I think it is MORE professional to do the right thing for everyone (both provider....her business and her sanity and the other families in care) verses just keeping a current client because they are a current client.

That would be more unprofessional in my opinion.

In original post op did not say that she needed to replace a family because of any reason other than she wanted the new baby instead. She didn't say there was non-adherence to policies, that she needed to replace with a client that would come more days, that there was a behavioral issue with the child, that there was disrespect on part of the parents, or any other host of issues that I wouldn't have thought twice about.

[Unregistered]

OP even says "they are wonderful and I love their child". I don't see that she says they are pt and the new family is ft.

Imagine you spent time looking for a preschool for your child. You interview several and choose the one that you feel is the best fit for you. This preschool only has a set number of spots for children that are your child's age. Things go along well for a year or so. One day the director tells you, "I know this is hard but my sister is moving to town and your child has to go so hers can come."

You would all be ok with that? You would understand? You wouldn't be upset? I would.

[Scribbles]

In original post op did not say that she needed to replace a family because of any reason other than she wanted the new baby instead. She didn't say there was non-adherence to policies, that she needed to replace with a client that would come more days, that there was a behavioral issue with the child, that there was disrespect on part of the parents, or any other host of issues that I wouldn't have thought twice about.

Wanting to provide care to the new baby means that that family is a better fit for her (OP).
Just because the current family has no apparent issues doesn't mean they are the better fit between the two kids.
The OP is in a position (as a child care provider) to be able to be a part of her family member's child's life and to her that seems like a huge deal or at least something she really seems excited to be able to do.... to me that means the family member is a better fit than the other family which is what I was referring to.
For some providers family is a better fit than clients that aren't family.

[Unregistered]

I am the OP. First off thank you for sharing your opinions. That is why I posted here in the first place. Scribbles, daycarediva and Black Cat - Thank you for standing up for me and my business decision.

A few things to clear up:

Both families are full time so that did not enter into my decision, and the income is the same from both families so that was not a factor either. The hours will be better with the new family, but mostly this was a choice of what is best for my family.

The family IS wonderful and I love their child and I didn't want to term them on a bad note BUT... I do have enough late fees for termination on that policy alone (each one signed by the parents at the time of the late pick-up). It was a problem that I overlooked because of their being great on all other accounts, and because I have known for awhile about the expected baby. BUT, that said, I would still be terming for my family members baby in this situation even if there were no late pick-ups.

I would NEVER have enrolled someone with the knowledge that I would be terming them (like if my family member was already pregnant) because I believe that IS unprofessional. My family member was trying to get pregnant for a very long time and there was a very good possibility that I would have had this other child until they went off to school before my family member became pregnant. There is no way to predict the future, a lot can change in a year or two.

At any time this family could have terminated care due to family circumstances(or any other reason) with 30 days notice. That is part of this business. Example: Grandma moves closer and wants to watch grandchild for them, or they could get pregnant and decide to be a stay at home parent, etc. But you are basically saying that I am not allowed to make a choice that is best for my family (with a very generous 60 day notice)?? I love working with children, its all Ive ever done and I've worked in many different centers and preschools before starting my own. The reason I run my licensed home child care is so that I can do what I love and make money to support my family WHILE doing what is best for my family. This will be what is best for my children (#1 most important reason to make this choice), myself, and my family member.

The family was aware that my family member was trying (which is none of their business but I didnt hide it) and that I planned to watch their child if they had success, although were not told for sure that they would be termed to make room for the baby because there is NO WAY I could have known when or IF they would get pregnant, or what my other enrollment would be at that time. I do not say to all my families "Hey just so you know there is a chance my husband could get transferred to a different place and I'd have to terminate you and move....or there is a chance that I might get in a car wreck next year and have to terminate you because of long term injuries...or two years from now I might terminate you because I might decide to reduce my numbers or go back to school...or ...or ...or. Life changes, it is completely unpredictable, and I have done my very best to be generous and kind and professional in this situation. I feel terrible about it, but at the same time I know most families wouldn't think twice to pull their kid for any reason like this and not look back.

The family in question has been completely understanding and so sweet. They even brought me a gift of appreciation. They know that I did not make this decision lightly. i know they are not happy to have to find new care but family is very important to them so they understand.

[Play Care]

I am way late to the party, but just wanted to give my two cents.

Last year I was providing care for two SA brothers. I really liked mom BUT she could never make my closing time. Foolishly I let it slide. When another family became pregnant I used that as an excuse to let the SA kids go. I had thought that mom would be more understanding of that rather than "I hate that you can't make my closing and the boy won't stop pounding on each other"
Needless to say mom was angry and although we are on good terms now, the relationship has been irrevocably damaged.

I almost wish that I had termed for the "real" reason rather than use the baby as the excuse. Because those boys were going, baby or not. People will argue about the professionalism letting one kid go for another, but they can't really argue about being termed because they're not following policy, KWIM?

It am glad it worked out in your case this time, OP. Just some food for thought if it comes up again.

[Unregistered]

Thanks Playcare. I completely agree. I'm sorry your nice termination turned out bad. It is very rare for any termination to end on a happy note.