2015 Contract Change-NO MORE SCHOOLAGE CARE

[PolkaTots]

I've never really liked providing school age care, as my program is equipped for preschoolers and infants. But FINALLY, after 7 years, I am putting my foot down and no longer offering school age care. I've never had any full time, just older siblings over breaks and such, but that is enough. I have a couple of families that aren't going to be too happy, but that's how it goes. Today was the final straw that helped solidify my decision when a 6yo SA DCB told my 7yo daughter he was going to kick her in the balls...yup...done done done!

SA's get bored faster, are much louder, love to rile up the little ones, are sassy, are always hungry and eat more than the little kids, break toys, and don't take naps. I hate to sound heartless, but I won't miss them at all.

I am sending out notice next week after the new year, right before the updated contract, and was just looking for advice on wording to notify these families? Has anyone else changed their program to eliminate SA care? How did the families with younger siblings react?

[daycarediva]

I only provide care through the summer of K/before entering 1st grade. I let go of one child when I made this change. He was 8, and had long outgrown my program. Mom and I had been comfortable with each other, and it was a hard term for both of us. She really didn't understand why it was necessary. I did my best to explain to that it really IS in his best interest to be in a school age program. I am also selective about who I keep on. I only keep 1 SA at a time (licensed for 2, but I find that they 'team up'), they pay year round for the space regardless of attendance.

I now have a part in my handbook that explains school age care.

When I update my handbook in January, I include a cover letter with bullet points of changes. I would add this:

My program is equipped to meet the needs of ages 6 weeks-5 years only. I will no longer be offering care for children enrolled in kindergarten or grades higher.

It would NOT AT ALL be worth it to only do SA care on breaks/days off. That's when they're the most disruptive.

My current SA child is a child I had enrolled previously as a preschooler. He is the child of a teacher, and only comes when school is in session, and only pays the flat rate for those weeks, and 2-3 days a year when they have a service day for teachers and no school for kids/at drop in rate. He will only be here (and his contract has an end date) of the last day of summer 2015. I plan on bringing it back up to dcm towards mid-July about what SA program they are enrolling him in.

[Blackcat31]

I will keep them until the day of first grade IF they started as littles here but am normally done by the time they get to Kindy.

BEST decision ever!!

SA are tough in a mixed group.

All SA'ers at the same time might not be a bad deal but not one I'm willing to test out.

[AmyKidsCo]

I eliminated it through attrition - once my SAers aged out I never enrolled new ones. I don't specifically say I won't take SA kids, but I haven't gotten any calls for SA either.

I'm with Blackcat - by the time they turn 5 I'm ready for them to move on.

[Crazy8]

I am really not fond of SA'ers either, LOL!!! I decided I will only take them in the mornings - so its an hour maximum (opening 7:30 to bus at 8:30). Most of mine don't show up until closer to 8 anyway. Its easy extra money and I don't take them on days off from school, half days, etc. I will take them when we have a delayed opening but only for that max of an hour.

I started this last year, and almost wasn't going to do it again this year but the family I had issues with got better and all has been great this year!

[Unregistered]

Wording to inform parents of no more school age care

Hi everyone...

Can someone please help me with wording? We have always taken in school age children that we have cared for in the past when they are on summer, winter, spring break etc. We can no longer accomodate their care... how can I word it to the parents nicely?

Thank you for your help

[AmyKidsCo]

Dear Parents, as of DATE w will no longer be able to accommodate care for children AGE and older. We will continue to provide care as contracted until that date. Thank you for understanding.

[Leigh]

I "accidentally" accepted a SA boy last month. I had met the kid before, and I thought he was 4. He's SIX. What a difference! He's been a terrible influence on my other kids-he lies, uses bad language, and has taught my 3 & 4's things that they DON'T need to know. He encourages them to take stupid risks, and he's just an all around pain. He's done in 2 weeks. I can't believe that I did this! It's a good decision to stop doing SA when you have under 5's.

[Annalee]

I "accidentally" accepted a SA boy last month. I had met the kid before, and I thought he was 4. He's SIX. What a difference! He's been a terrible influence on my other kids-he lies, uses bad language, and has taught my 3 & 4's things that they DON'T need to know. He encourages them to take stupid risks, and he's just an all around pain. He's done in 2 weeks. I can't believe that I did this! It's a good decision to stop doing SA when you have under 5's.

I weeded out my schoolagers by changing my contract to "charging full-time price" ALL YEAR LONG! Took about four weeks to end all the two week notices I tell my clients now with school-age siblings that I have too many clients with school-age siblings so I do not keep them for anyone!

[Blackcat31]

I "accidentally" accepted a SA boy last month. I had met the kid before, and I thought he was 4. He's SIX. What a difference! He's been a terrible influence on my other kids-he lies, uses bad language, and has taught my 3 & 4's things that they DON'T need to know. He encourages them to take stupid risks, and he's just an all around pain. He's done in 2 weeks. I can't believe that I did this! It's a good decision to stop doing SA when you have under 5's.

I'm sorry but that made me laugh out loud!

"accidentally accepted" ::

[Leigh]

I'm sorry but that made me laugh out loud!

"accidentally accepted" ::

I was an idiot. I took the kid without an interview because I knew his mom. Asked no questions, didn't know his age until I got his enrollment paperwork on the first day-I just didn't realize that he had grown up so much since I last saw him!

[daycarediva]

I was an idiot. I took the kid without an interview because I knew his mom. Asked no questions, didn't know his age until I got his enrollment paperwork on the first day-I just didn't realize that he had grown up so much since I last saw him!

::

My SA dck looks about 4, if that. When I drop him at camp, I get LOOKS. (It's a SA program) He is a foot shorter than the shortest kid there. I can see making that mistake!

[Unregistered]

Thanks for your help and stories. Having older children is so disruptive to the younger ones.