Am I Wrong Here

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

well I had a family terminate tonight because I refuse to let their 7 month old dd crawl around my entire living room under the feet of (2) two year olds and (2) four year olds. They will trample her. I explained that she is free to move about her playarea. It is a good size area but apparently mom feels I should make the other kids sit at the kitchen table while I let her dd crawl all over the place.

I tried to explain that the baby safety is more important to me and that I was not going to change that. I play with her she isn't just stuck in the playarea all day. I explained to her that if I had just babies her daughter age or little older children then it would be a non-issue. The one closest to her daughter age is going to be 2 in April. They don't pay attention to where they are walking and if my hoss of a new phew accidently fell on her he could seriously hurt her as she is a very small 7 month old. Mom is also convinced that Im causing her a developmental delay because of me putting her on the floor to play in her own area. The area is the size of two PNP together. Mom thinks she needs her freedom.
I'm not sad to see them go because I was having to deal with the crying all day unless I held her or direct in her view. I was having to pack up 5 kids to take her brother to the bus stop so that was a pain.
During our conversation I finally just asked her if she was planning on terminating or because I needed to plan of it. She said she didn't know. Well after thinking about it for an hour I knew I would always feel like I was doing something wrong. I picked up my phone to call her and let her know January 30 would be her last day because I was not going to put her wishes above her child safety. Then I get a text message that
"Hey we are going to go ahead and pull kids. Sorry we want her to be able to have more freedom and not be upset all the time. Effective tomorrow. Thank you for all you've done for kids since August. We really do appreciate it."
I still wonder if I did something wrong. She is the same one that was on my FB page and who got upset over Chistmas that I was watching my nephew.

[Play Care]

It really sounds as if this wasn't a good fit all around.

Are they planning on paying their two week notice?

[Josiegirl]

That issue alone wouldn't have been enough; I would have found a compromise but I remember when she questioned you for having your nephew. That would have kind of ticked me off.

[DaveA]

I would chalk it up to not being a good fit and be done. Just make sure you get paid for your termination notice period

[Second Home]

It sounds like she is the one who wanted to feel like she made the decision to terminate care . You did nothing wrong , they would be upset if their child was getting stepped on and they are upset that you are trying to keep her safe . It is a no win situation.

I would let them know that they still are responsible for the fees for the term notice ( if you have one that is).

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

It really sounds as if this wasn't a good fit all around.

Are they planning on paying their two week notice?

I doubt they will pay it. She is sending her husband to pick up baby stuff today because he is bringing their son to the bus stop here. I am actually excited to not have to go down to the bus stop anymore.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

That issue alone wouldn't have been enough; I would've have found a compromise but I remember when she questioned you for having your nephew. That would have kind of ticked me off.

Yep she still brought that up after we came back from break about me having him. Her not having the freedom was the only excuse she could use and that I refused to budge on it. Under state regulation no walkers must be protected from walkers. If I allowed her to crawl and my 35lb nephew who will be 2 in March fell on her head/neck stomach or anywhere else then she could get seriously injured. Not a risk I'm willing to take with any child. I used this same system with every infant I have had in the last 4-years until they started walking.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I would chalk it up to not being a good fit and be done. Just make sure you get paid for your termination notice period

I really think it wasn't a good fit like you said. Safety is not something I am willing to compromise on. I had a friend that did daycare and she ended up going to prision for a year and has 10-years probation because a child got injured in her care and she didn't notice any marks so she didn't say anything to parents thinking all is ok. Turns out the boy was injured more than she knew and almost died of internal injuries. I'm not willing to take that chance.

I doubt they will pay the notice. If I take her to court it will just drain my account which is already stretched with my husband not being able to find a job yet.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

It sounds like she is the one who wanted to feel like she made the decision to terminate care . You did nothing wrong , they would be upset if their child was getting stepped on and they are upset that you are trying to keep her safe . It is a no win situation.

I would let them know that they still are responsible for the fees for the term notice ( if you have one that is).

She definately wanted to be the one to terminate, which to me is perfectly fine. She told me she understood that I don't have a huge room and that she too has to gate off to keep her three 80lb dogs away while she is crawling around. Ok a dog and two toddlers are totally different. She tried to say that her dd not having the freedom to crawl around is what is making her upset and not the reflux and that her being upset is the reason for the puking after a bottle. Ummm not the case. She actually plays happily in her area it is when I won't pick her up and hold her that she has an issue. Oh well right. What is done is done. I just can't believe that someone would terminate over a provider trying to keep their infant safe. I was going to print off invoice and hand it to dad.
I wanted everything in writing as to why they terminated so I made sure to print text messages so that way they can't come back and say that they felt she was mistreated or in an unsafe environment.

[TheGoodLife]

Did you remind her of what is owed when she terminated? If not, I'd do so right away. Sounds like they won't be planning on paying as is- I'd send a message saying, "we will surely miss DCKs! Just a reminder my contracted termination notice is x weeks. You can chose to not utilize those weeks but the amount owed would still be $x. If today is his last day, please ensure that payment is made at drop-off (or pick-up of it is too late). Thank you, and we wish you the best in the future! Sincerely, DCP" Then if they refuse I'd send something stating your contracted (hopefully) plan to send to collections or small claims court, and that any fees accrued would be their responsibility. I have had to do that twice, and both times the parents paid within 24 hours of seeing that I meant business and had a solid contract to hold them to their termination fees. I always would cut and paste the exact wording from my contract as well, so they could see what I had signed from them!

Hope it all turns out well and ends up being drama free!!!

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

Did you remind her of what is owed when she terminated? If not, I'd do so right away. Sounds like they won't be planning on paying as is- I'd send a message saying, "we will surely miss DCKs! Just a reminder my contracted termination notice is x weeks. You can chose to not utilize those weeks but the amount owed would still be $x. If today is his last day, please ensure that payment is made at drop-off (or pick-up of it is too late). Thank you, and we wish you the best in the future! Sincerely, DCP" Then if they refuse I'd send something stating your contracted (hopefully) plan to send to collections or small claims court, and that any fees accrued would be their responsibility. I have had to do that twice, and both times the parents paid within 24 hours of seeing that I meant business and had a solid contract to hold them to their termination fees. I always would cut and paste the exact wording from my contract as well, so they could see what I had signed from them!

Hope it all turns out well and ends up being drama free!!!

I pulled up the contract they signed and apparently I didn't add in there about the fee just that there is to be a 4-week written termination notice. I didn't put in there that they would have to pay for the notice. I know it is in the other clients contract. I'm not sure how it's not in this one. I'm thankful that I have another child already signed up (signed contract Saturday) and its in that contract too. Now I did email them their contract so I wonder if that part was deleted and I didn't catch it. I'm actually rather happy not having a screaming 7-month old but upset at how mom did it and then the fact that we know a lot of the same people

[Play Care]

I'm actually rather happy not having a screaming 7-month old but upset at how mom did it and then the fact that we know a lot of the same people

A tip I got from here - act like *nothing* happened. Be happy to see them, ask about baby, etc. Just as you would have before. If they make a snide comment about how much better their new care is, be overly gracious "I'm so glad to hear that! I only want the best for the kiddos!" Not only will you look more professional, but the added bonus is they will look and feel like tools. ::

If asked from others about why (mostly no one ever does, but just in case) be overly gracious "Oh they were a wonderful family but needed more of an infant care provider. We loved the baby!" using your sincerest tone. And then change the subject. "Hey did you watch the Bachelor last night?!" ::

Good Luck!!

[nannyde]

Parents can't give you permission to do the wrong thing. If you have a client that requires a dangerous practice you have to walk away.

Not only is it dangerous but the amount of one to one supervision to facilitate free range of an infant is very costly. I couldn't afford to keep her safe.

[KidGrind]

Parents can't give you permission to do the wrong thing. If you have a client that requires a dangerous practice you have to walk away.

Not only is it dangerous but the amount of one to one supervision to facilitate free range of an infant is very costly. I couldn't afford to keep her safe.

I agree.

I’d also like to add you did what was right for you and your business.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

A tip I got from here - act like *nothing* happened. Be happy to see them, ask about baby, etc. Just as you would have before. If they make a snide comment about how much better their new care is, be overly gracious "I'm so glad to hear that! I only want the best for the kiddos!" Not only will you look more professional, but the added bonus is they will look and feel like tools. ::

If asked from others about why (mostly no one ever does, but just in case) be overly gracious "Oh they were a wonderful family but needed more of an infant care provider. We loved the baby!" using your sincerest tone. And then change the subject. "Hey did you watch the Bachelor last night?!" ::

Good Luck!!

Dad just picked up her stuff. My husband pulled out the driveway to go to an interview as he was coming down the street so he circled around and waited down the street for him to leave. He text me if everything was ok and then went on his way. Lol I'm not sure what my husband thought her husband was gonna do. I told him I was truly sorry it didn't workout. Husband said thank you and that they appreciated everything.