How to Handle This Situation??

[Crazy8]

will try not to make this too long…

family of 2 kids gives 2 weeks notice, mom is quitting job and going to work nights. I'm very upset because of the financial burden this causes but this is also the only family I have a half hour later than the others and the only ones I have on fridays. A little excited about having fridays off temporarily (will have to work my buns off to get more kids though!).

get call and have interview tonight for a 4 day a week kid - would still have fridays off. Thinking wow, if I can get one more like this (if I even get this one) maybe I can have fridays off for a few months at least!

family that gave notice now wants to take back notice. When quitting boss offered her a 4 day work week for same pay - she took it. Gave her rates for 4 day week (perfect scenerio - they stay but I still get Fridays off!!!). She comes in and says they are going to stick with their regular 5 day schedule.

I need the money, but I was really looking forward to that 4 day work week for a while. I have been doing this for 13 years, I am getting tired of it. My kids are all in school (elementary thru HS) and I miss so much because I'm always home with daycare kids. I try not to get bent about parents being home while bringing their kids here, gave that fight up long ago - but it will bother me to have these kids and only these kids every friday knowing she got her fridays off without losing a dime of pay.

Interview is tonight. This is only one kid to replace 2 but am I crazy to think about turning around and telling current family that I don't want them full time anymore. Their notice has them leaving this week, but on Friday she still paid for the next 2 weeks (they knew they were staying but didn't give me the info about keeping it at 5 days till this morning).

How would I even explain this? Sorry so long, hope you could follow and please tell me what you would do in this situation!!!

[Indoorvoice]

I would just say that when they gave you notice, you already made arrangements to have a 4 day work week. Tell them that they can keep a mon-thurs spot or find new care. You already have one kid lined up so it wouldn't be too much of a burden. I would just keep interviewing for another mon-thurs child! It would be worth it to me to have one day off! To me it doesn't make sense to stay open for one family. It's a lot of extra cost for not a lot of extra $$.

[Shell]

I would just say that when they gave you notice, you already made arrangements to have a 4 day work week. Tell them that they can keep a mon-thurs spot or find new care. You already have one kid lined up so it wouldn't be too much of a burden. I would just keep interviewing for another mon-thurs child! It would be worth it to me to have one day off! To me it doesn't make sense to stay open for one family. It's a lot of extra cost for not a lot of extra $$.

I would love a four day work week!

[Baby Beluga]

Hmmm, that's a tough one. I would consider the following:

1) Is a 4 day work week worth the temporary decrease in income?

2) Is this family a good fit for you and your program? Have you ever considered terming them before?

If you have considered them terming them before then I would just look at this as a gift and let her go. If not, then I would tell mom that after she gave notice you decided to make a few business changes and one of those changes is to provide 4 day per week care M-T as care on Fridays is very rarely needed by your families. Tell her you would be happy to take her children but only on a 4 day per week schedule. Perhaps you could offer her occasional Friday care at a higher drop-in rate?

I am guessing she will likely fuss and take her children elsewhere. If she is getting the same salary for 4 days or work, she is likely going to want to take Friday as her day.

[CraftyMom]

In another thread a while ago some one put it better than I can, but basically once they gave their notice you made other arrangements. Their situation changed again, you do not HAVE to accommodate them. THEIR plans changed again, not yours! Do what works for you! Sounds like a 4 day week would give you a much needed break, even if its only temporary

[VTMom]

I would just say that when they gave you notice, you already made arrangements to have a 4 day work week. Tell them that they can keep a mon-thurs spot or find new care. You already have one kid lined up so it wouldn't be too much of a burden. I would just keep interviewing for another mon-thurs child! It would be worth it to me to have one day off! To me it doesn't make sense to stay open for one family. It's a lot of extra cost for not a lot of extra $$.

I'd go this route too if I could afford it.

So why should you give up your opportunity to have Fridays off and dedicated to YOUR family, so she can have Fridays off to not have her own kids? I think that would build resentment in me. It's not worth it.

[CraftyMom]

I think this is the thread I'm thinking of

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72947&highlight=taking+back+notice

[Laurel]

Most likely she'll stay anyway. I'd take the chance and do it. She could always get someone else (maybe grandma) to watch the kids occasionally on Friday if she wants a day off.

[Meyou]

I would offer the old family a 4 day per week schedule and tell them Fridays are no longer available. If they don't accept I would take the new family.

[Laurel]

I would just say that when they gave you notice, you already made arrangements to have a 4 day work week. Tell them that they can keep a mon-thurs spot or find new care. You already have one kid lined up so it wouldn't be too much of a burden. I would just keep interviewing for another mon-thurs child! It would be worth it to me to have one day off! To me it doesn't make sense to stay open for one family. It's a lot of extra cost for not a lot of extra $$.

Oops, I meant to quote altandra in my last post.

[Laurel]

I would offer the old family a 4 day per week schedule and tell them Fridays are no longer available. If they don't accept I would take the new family.

[Crazy8]

Hmmm, that's a tough one. I would consider the following:

1) Is a 4 day work week worth the temporary decrease in income?

2) Is this family a good fit for you and your program? Have you ever considered terming them before?

If you have considered them terming them before then I would just look at this as a gift and let her go. If not, then I would tell mom that after she gave notice you decided to make a few business changes and one of those changes is to provide 4 day per week care M-T as care on Fridays is very rarely needed by your families. Tell her you would be happy to take her children but only on a 4 day per week schedule. Perhaps you could offer her occasional Friday care at a higher drop-in rate?

I am guessing she will likely fuss and take her children elsewhere. If she is getting the same salary for 4 days or work, she is likely going to want to take Friday as her day.

Funny you ask if I have ever thought of terming them. YES, yes I have. Mostly over the extra half hour I have them in the afternoons. I was all set to term them last summer but then 2 of my families left (one moved, other decided to do preschool a year early) so I kept this family on. Not only are they my latest family but they are 5-8 minutes late at least a few times a week. I finally buckled down on charging them the late fees but I don't want the money - I want to be done working on time AND I am already working that extra half hour just for them.
So, yes, I have thought about terming them before, many times.

[CraftyMom]

I'd go this route too if I could afford it.

So why should you give up your opportunity to have Fridays off and dedicated to YOUR family, so she can have Fridays off to not have her own kids? I think that would build resentment in me. It's not worth it.

[Crazy8]

Thank you all for the speedy replies!!! I guess I can't do anything until after my interview tonight but I like the idea of telling them that when they gave notice I reevaluated my program and LOVE the thought that its really not cost effective for me to be open on Fridays. There isn't a huge difference in my 4 day to 5 day rates, so of course they'd choose the 5 days.

I am worried though, the thought of losing 2 full time kids is scary.

[taylorw1210]

I would just say that when they gave you notice, you already made arrangements to have a 4 day work week. Tell them that they can keep a mon-thurs spot or find new care. You already have one kid lined up so it wouldn't be too much of a burden. I would just keep interviewing for another mon-thurs child! It would be worth it to me to have one day off! To me it doesn't make sense to stay open for one family. It's a lot of extra cost for not a lot of extra $$.

Exactly this! If the family wants to stay with you bad enough, they will adjust to the 4 day a week schedule - especially since she isn't working on Fridays. If she doesn't like it, oh well. I would butter up the deal for the family you are interviewing for the Mon-Thurs spot - IF you like them, to try to secure their enrollment for your own financial security. Such as offering their first week at a discount or offering a "rebate" after their trial period. This could possibly make the difference in whether or not you are able to quickly enroll them.